Choir Audio

Pete Riggle Audio Engineering is now offering the CCM (Counterweight for the Common Man), a structural upgrade for Rega tone arms.

Overview

The CCM (Counterweight for the Common Man) is mechanically similar and sonically equivalent to the Origin Live OL1 structural upgrade. The CCM structural upgrade differs from the OL1 structural upgrade in available finishes and in price. The beautiful finishes of the CCM match those of the Pete Riggle Engineering and Audio VTAF (pronounced vee-taff, VTA adjustment on the Fly, patent pending). At about half the price of the OL1 structural upgrade, the CCM is a real bargain, in keeping with the wonderful value present in the Rega RB250 arm and the Pete Riggle Engineering and Audio VTAF.

Construction Details

The Counterweight for the Common Man uses precision machined parts. Parts include a beautifully finished Alloy 360 brass counterweight, a non- magnetic stainless steel stub, a threaded non-magnetic stainless steel insert into the tone arm, a socket head cap screw securing the stainless steel stub to the rear of the tone arm, a flat point socket head set screw to secure the counterweight to the stub, and a conical washer under the head of the cap screw to allow the user to adjust the tension with which the stub is attached to the rear of the tone arm. An Allen wrench is included for assembly and stylus force adjustment. Machining and finish are of the highest quality.

Performance

Our ears tell us the performance of the CCM is equivalent to that provided by the OL1 structural upgrade . . . and we are great admirers of the Origin Live modified Rega 250. In the day of the $3000 U.S. tone arm it is easy to forget to remember what a great arm the OL1 is, especially when equipped with the Pete Riggle Audio VTAF, which provides another tremendous improvement to this already fabulous arm. Our OL1 is still sending us to heaven on a regular basis using a Denon 103L cartridge. Our OL1 counterweight has been replaced by the CCM to match the appearance of the VTAF.

Finishes

Finish options for the counterweight proper are Lacquered Brass or Smoky Silver (laquer over nickel plate over brass). Before final finishing the surface of the counterweight is faux engine turned for a rich appearance and durability, whether in Laquered Brass or Smokey Silver.

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Choir Audio, is proud to announce that we can now offer products from the following manufacturers of quality Audiophile analog accessories. This page is under construction, so please excuse the mess. Pete Riggle: VTAF and Counterweights. Rega: Cartridges and Analog Accessories (scroll down to bottom of page)
THE VTAF It all began with the Standard VTAF for post mounted Rega arms like the RB250, RB300, and RB600 arms, Origin Live OL1 (all versions), Origin Live Silver (all versions), Brit Audio version of RB250, Expressimo version of RB250, Moth Audio version of RB250, Michell Technoarm version of RB250, Incongnito version of RB250, Thorens version of RB250, and Other Versions of RB250, RB300, and RB600. We have since extended application of the VTAF to the three point mount Rega arms such as the RB301, RB700, RB900, and RB1000. We have also extended application of the VTAF to most arms in combination with most tables. The VTAF units for Rega arms work without additonal accessories on most turntables having a large armboard or plinth, including most traditional tables, and the Teres tables, the Michell Gyrodec, and the Michell Gyrodec SE. Extension plates are available for mounting the VTAF Guide Assembly on turntables with small arm boards. Examples of tables with small arm boards are the Nottingham Spacedeck, and the Origin Live Aurora and Aurora Gold.	Pricing: Riggle products VTAF for RB300 $150.00 VTAF for RB301 $180.00 Counterweight $75.00 Add $30.00 for Smokey Silver finish to all items. Add $30.00 for the VTAF Teflon upgrade All Pricing is USD, plus shipping charges.