Rare & Highly Acclaimed Sumiko MDC-800 Tonearm - “The Arm” This listing is for one used Sumiko MDC-800 tonearm. The tonearm was released in 1982 & was used for review & testing in Audio Magazine (1983), by E.M. Long & Associates. It is in excellent condition. There is plenty of info available on the internet regarding this tonearm. Great reviews on Vinyl Engine. What is included: · “The Arm”· Original arm coupler w/ RCA type audio connections· “H” counter-weight· 3 Original mounting screws & nuts· A finger-lift (Not original)· A print-out of the original mounting, adjustment, & operation instructions.o (also available on Vinyl Engine) Specifications: Effective arm length (Pivot to stylus tip): 9.0 / 228.6 mmPivot to rear of arm: 2.5 / 63.5mmCartridge overhang: .715 / 18.17 mmOffset angle: 24.14°Mounting distance (Record center to pivot point): 9.0 / 210.43 mmCartridge weight range: 4 ~ 18 grams (IF all the different weights were included.) Effective mass: 11 gramsVTA adjustment: Yes Height adjustment range: 1.38 ~ 2.25 / 35 ~ 57 mmTracking force adjustment: 1.75 grams max. w/ knob (greater than 1.75 grams by moving the counterweight)Bearing type: 4-point gimbal ball race & coneBearing friction: less than 10 mgArm lead capacitance: 100 pfCartridge range: 4 ~ 18 gramsTonearm effective mass (with L weight): 11 grams Headshell: FixedNull points: 65.9 / 121.1 mmArm mount: ¾ center-hole Here are some quotes I found: From Stereophile: The Sumiko MDC 800 (The Arm), though now discontinued, has become something of a modern classic. Handmade in the state of Washington, it is an exquisite example of the machinists craft. The Arm was fabricated from machined aluminum, and pressure-fitted by hand to avoid the introduction of a different material at the mechanical interfaces. The bearing assembly is the best I have ever seen in a tonearm. The Arm has incredible bass, and takes even more information off the record than the Alphason. “Sumiko’s MDC 800 tonearm (also called “The Arm”) was the first product designed at Sumiko. The MDC 800 tonearm was considered by many to be the best tonearm design at the time. It had a $1,200 price tag ($3826.00 today), making it one of the most expensive as well as most advanced tonearms available in the 1980s.” “The Sumiko MDC800 The Arm is a high end design loosely based on the legendary Breuer tonearm. The arm features a fixed headshell, large arm tube, gimbal bearings, decoupled counterweight and spring applied VTF and anti-skating force.” “The sound of the MDC-800 was smooth and relaxed. Bass definition, always good, was marginally improved with the production sample, and it demonstrates fine depth, neutrality and tunefulness.” - £795 HiFi Choice 1983 https : // www . choicehifi . com / product-brands / sumiko / For over three decades Sumiko have been designing and manufacturing some of the finest analogue components. While all Sumiko products are special, a few deserve mention as they have withstood the test of time and are now considered true classics. The MDC-800, better know as The Arm was a precision device, hand built by a master machinist to impossible tolerances. Today, they sell for more than their price when new, though they appear on the market only rarely. https : // www . theabsolutesound . com / articles / david-w-fletcher-1940-2021/ The Arm: David Fletcher’s Masterpiece - by Paul Seydor When I went from university professor to film editor almost four decades ago, I needed a way to finance the transition. An audiophile and music lover of extensive experience, I opened a by-appointment audio shop. Three of my best and best-selling products were designed by David Fletcher: the Sota turntable, the Talisman moving-coil pickups, and the MDC-800 tonearm, also known as The Arm, the latter two marketed through Fletcher’s own company Sumiko, the turntable through Sota, a company he co-founded with Robert Becker. The product he designed with no constraints save one as to cost or manufacturing was the MDC-800 tonearm, which he christened “The Arm.” Read the whole article. Since the tonearm has been visually checked, there are NO returns or refunds. This item will require an adults’ signature for delivery.The shown mailing cost includes full insurance & a delivery signature. I do not ship outside of the United Statesor accept payments from non-U.S. registered accounts,even if your eBay “confirmed” shipping address is inside the U.S. SOLD “AS SHOWN” & “AS IS” I am not the original owner of most of the items I sell & I cannot guaranteeTHIS item is from a PET, CHILD, or SMOKE FREE environment. If you receive an item & there is an issue,PLEASE contact me BEFORE you leave feedback. Please check my other current listings. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ MY AUCTION TERMS. By BIDDING ON or using the BIN “Buy It Now” feature (If available)You ARE agreeing to My Auction Terms which are posted below. MY AUCTION TERMS:ALL ITEMS ARE SHIPPED BY USPS Ground Advantage Or Priority MailTO YOUR “confirmed” eBay ACCOUNT ADDRESS. Bidding: U.S. registered eBay & PayPal accounts ONLY. 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Welcome to the sale of my Sumiko MDC 800 ( The Arm ) pick up arm. In excellent used condition & full working order.Superb & rare pick up arm from the renowned David Fletcher.There are the usual small marks on the headshell from cartridge mounting and around the base mounting holes. ( please see photos ).Includes the original cable & finger lift & mounting bolts. I do not have the original box but will be well packaged fordelivery. U.K. sale only.Any questions please ask.Thank-you.