GFC Hadcock 242 Series Unipivot Tonearms
The 242 range of Hadcock tonearm's give superior tracking
in comparison to the 228 range. Now proving more popular
than their shorter cousin, however, they share the same
mounting body. The difference comes in the arm tube length
and headshell alignment. The model range varies according
to choice of Internal wiring and external interconnects.
All
arms use the same Stainless Steel arm tube and headshells,
and due to their Unipivot design are light weight tone
arms. Spare arm tubes and headshell's are available for all
models.
Development
of this arm hasn't ceased since Leonard Gregory persuaded
the late George Hadcock out of retirement. A new brass arm
stub mount, improved bearing all now as standard.
Development
will continue with Charles Hadcock now in charge of arm
production bringing fresh ideas and impetus to the
business.
The
GH242 Export
(£546) is the starter arm in the Hadcock range, using pure
Oxygen Free Copper this opens up the world of the vinyl
user to the benefits of a Unipivot, all at an affordable
price. Winner of Hi Fi World Best Tonearm Award 2004.
The
GH 242 Export Cryo
(£658) uses DCT internal wiring and DCT fly leads, and uses
a special GH OFC Interconnect to connect arm with preamp,
reviews coming soon in HiFi World and TNT Audio
The
GH 242 Integra
(£685) formerly the GH 242SE, this was our biggest seller
until the Cryo family came along. The Integra uses the
famous Incognito (Cardas) wiring throughout, offering a
stunning sonic performance from the legendary cabling.
Check out the review on
6 Moons.
The all new
GH 242 Cryo
(£918) offers the very best of the cable options,
extensively tested after true Deep Cryogenic treatment,
enhancing cable structure offering a better signal path.
George then with his listening panel tried different cable
combinations. This was judged the best of them all. The
Cryo will not disappoint, and is the ultimate Hadcock 242in
our opinion.
The
final arm in the 242 range is the
GH 242 Super Silver
(£1,163) is only available to special order. This is the
ultimate arm offered by Hadcock. It utilises Van Den Hul
internal silver wiring and fly leads, and a special Super
Silver phono cable specially manufactured by The Cartridge
Man.
All 242 arm tubes are interchangeable, and the spare
headhells allow for easy interchanging of cartridges.
Giving the listener the choice of saving that expensive
treasured cartridge for special listening sessions, whilst
the old favorite can be employed at other times.
Set up of the Hadcock tone arms is a little harder than a
fixed pivot arm, however, comprehensive easy to follow
instructions are now available on this site and will be
included with all new arms The quality of workmanship and
finish make it a pleasure to assembly and fine tune. Once a
unipivot is fixed and aligned. it will require minimal
maintenance if any at all.
The GH 242 is suitable for almost all turntables including
SME, Thorens, Michell, Nottingham Analogue, Linn and Origin
Live to name but a few.
"I
was extremely surprised at the performance of the “Hadcock
GH242 export.” This arm (ignored and slated by the high fi
press for years) proved to be a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
I did not expect the panoramic imaging to be as precise as
was displayed. Neither did I think that the “export” would
show transient abilities way beyond its price point would
suggest. On solo piano this arm proved an exemplary
performer adding very little of its own character to the
overall quality of the vinyl being played. George Hadcock
should be proud of this arm. Its performance was very
similar to my own SME 5"
Stewart
Wennan, Hi-Fi World April 2004
"It's an excellent match for any high-quality,
non-suspended table (also suspended see OL Aurora Gold
review in Hi-Fi World - HIAudio). I'm sure it would also be
right at home on rigidly suspended turntables such as the
Avid or the Orbe. Now, I've saved the best for last. The
Hadcock might be a very fine arm, but its price wouldn't
let on. For some reason, I'd labored under the
misconception that it weighed in at over £1000. At that
price, I thought it a good deal, especially when you factor
in the Incognito wiring. Turns out it costs £689.00
including Vat. That's $1,102 for the Yanks. What?! All I
can say is, I'm amazed that you can get this quality of
sound at that price. If I were in the market for a
unipivot, this arm would be my first port of call. Land
ahoi! You know what us sailors do after a long absence from
solid ground under our feet, don't ya?."
Edward Baker on the GH242 SE (Integra) Edward Barker,
6Moons May 2003.
"The Hadcock's price is roughly comparable with the Rega
900 and the SME300 range and, in my opinion, it is both
more versatile and more able than either. In truth its
performance places it in a higher class altogether.
All-in-all, whether you view it as a bargain high-ender or
as an improbably musical medium-pricer the GH242 SE
deserves a long, blissful listen."
Hi-Fi World June 2000
Hadcock 228 Series Unipivot Tonearms
The Hadcock 228 pick up arm, is an excellent upgrade for
most ready supplied arms in today's mid price turntables.
The two arm types offered the 228 and the 242 range share
the same mounting body. The difference comes in the arm
tube length and headshell.
The
GH 228 model now just comes with pure copper wiring
internaly and externaly. The arm uses the same Stainless
Steel arm tube and headshell as the 242 but is slightly
shorter and due to there Unipivot design are light weight
tone arms. Spare arm tubes and headshell's are available
for all models.
The
GH 228 Export
(£528) is the only remaining arm in the 228 range and uses
a pure OFC internal wire, fly leads and Copper
interconnects.
All 228 arm tubes are interchangeable, and the spare
headhells allow for easy interchanging of cartridges.
Giving the listener the choice of saving that expensive
treasured cartridge for special listening sessions, whilst
the old favourite can be employed at other times.
Set up of the arms is a little harder than a fixed pivot
arm, however, comprehensive easy to follow instructions are
included with every arm, and the quality of workmanship and
finish make it a pleasure to assembly and fine tune. Once a
unipivot is fixed and aligned, it will require minimal
maintenance if any at all.
The GH 228 is suitable for almost all turntables including
SME, Thorens, Michell, Nottingham Analogue, Linn and Origin
Live to name but a few.
All arms come with a 1 year warranty against defective
workmanship, and advice on cartridge types is freely
offered.
Spare Stainless Steel Armtubes
£131.60 - £223.25
Spare armtubes for all wiring types are available. you may
wonder why? Well the upgrade path of any product should be
made simple.
If you want to use a Hadcock 228, and then decide you want
to use a 242 then by simply purchasing the arm tube which
could be of the same model type and the same internal
wiring. This would be a cost-effective route for your
customer to use. Spare arm tubes also serve along with a
spare headshell, as an easy way of interchanging cartridges
for the type of record being played.
However, this really lies in the domain of the specialist
vinyl user and will probably only be used by a dealer
wishing to demonstrate the different arm types, and by the
real vinyl enthusiast. All armed tubes come wired with
cartridge pins and fly leads ready to attach to the arm
body.
Headshells and Screws
£31
The use of different cartridges is common amongst
enthusiasts. All Hadcock Unipvot tonearms have
interchangeable headshells and armtubes. Spare hedshells
allow a cartridge to be mounted and aligned, and using the
digital Stylus Force Gauge, the cartridge sweet spot is
easy to identify. Changing cartridge is then easy, undo a
grub screw, detach the head pins, and swap over to your old
favourite but rare Decca London for example. Set it up for
the correct tracking weight and off you go.
GH SME Type Mounting plate
£32
For those upgrading from inferior tonearms, and easy way to
get the arm fitted correctly is yo you a mounting plate.
Set with the direction into the pivot, once the arm is
loosely mounted its easy to accuratly set the pivot to
spindle distance. Vitally important if you are to extract
out the best from your new Hadcock tonearm.