Conqueror MK3c Tonearm
Multi Award winning arm
- Overview
- Technical Info
- Options
- Reviews
- Pictures
Review Comments
suffice to say that
this is one of the very best tonearms
yet made by anybody, and more
importantly, it’s not voiced in a
madcap, no-compromise way that
prohibits it from pleasing only some
of the people some of the time.
Rather, the Conqueror is an
immensely useable, versatile, realworld
tool that works brilliantly no
matter what programme material
you use or which partnering
equipment.The best praise of all is to
say that it’s a truly ‘fit it and forget’
design – whatever you play, it just
dissolves away...
VERDICT
Arguably the very best tonearm yet
made – a startlingly capable all rounder
with none of the vices or quirks of rival
super-arms.
The Conqueror arm design is simply light years ahead of it’s time. Incorporating idealistic principles translated into engineering practice, the arm delivers a level of performance that is absolutely extraordinary.
Most noticable is the increase in presence, clarity and focus. Bass is even more defined and rock solid than the superlative Illustrious. Vocals take on total realism and freedom from any confusion. Imaging is also noticably better than the lower arms in the range. Why is the arm so good? Not only are the highly successful features of the Illustrious present but a number of new ideas are included that add a great deal to the performance.
Hybrid arm tube composed of 5 materials has better energy dissapating qualities and higher rigidity than the Illustrious tube, yielding increased transparency, dynamics and bass performance
Ultra low friction dual pivot bearings yield vastly increased clarity and sweet, precise treble free from smearing.
Floating vertical bearings decouple the armtube from the deck and prevent it adding colour to the sound.
High strength aircraft alloy headshell for increased dynamics
External Linear Flow 2 arm cable, fully balanced and 95% shielded is up with the very best of expensive external cables at 3 times the price and delivers improvements to every aspect of the sound.
Pure copper WBT nextgen RCA phono plugs are among of the highest quality available to provide a precise, tight electrical connection that eliminates signal degradation.
For fitting guidance see arm fitting
We suggest you order a stylus force gauge £8 to set tracking force if you don't have one - see options tab at the top of this page.
£2705
12" Version £3115
Features & Specification
Read more on Tonearm design philosophyView All Tonearm Specifications
- Highest grade materials are used throughout.
- Dual pivot bearing design. Dual pivot explained
- Very high strength arm tube with low resonance and high torsion resistance.
- High lateral inertial yoke with low vertical movement inertial to improve tracking and dynamics.
Options
VTA Adjusters
All MK3 arms from Encounter upwards have integral VTA adjustment and do not require VTA adjusters. more info
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Universal threaded VTA Adjuster more info | 25.50 | 21.25 |  |
| Sliding VTA Adjuster* more info | 49 | 40.83 | |
| Rega VTA Adjuster more info | 12.25 | 10.21 | |
*Rega threaded bases included on all MK1 & MK2 arms from Silver upwards.
Stylus Force Gauges more info
| All prices quoted in GBP | UK Retail | Export Retail | |
| Ortofon Stylus Force Gauge (included on all arms from Encounter upward) | 8.17 | 6.81 | |
| Digital Stylus Force Gauge | 65.00 | 52.00 | |
| Cartridge Man Digital Force Gauge | 229.79 | 183.8 | |
Cartridge Man Isolator (for tonearm / cartridge interface) more info
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Cartridge man isolator - moving magnet cartridges (nut & bolt fastening) | 86.81 | 72.34 | |
| Cartridge man isolator - moving coil cartridges (threaded body & bolt fastening) | 86.81 | 72.34 | |
Armboard & Adaptors
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Technics Armboard more info | 46 | 38.33 | |
| SME Adaptor more info | 49 | 39.20 | |
| LP12 Armboard more info | 27.50 | 22.92 | |
Connectors
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Cardas 5 din pin Male Arm external connector in base of arm |
25.50 | 21.25 | |
| Cardas 5 din pin Female Connector on external cable for base of arm |
46 | 38.33 | |
| XLR Termination High Grade Balanced XLR plugs & Cable for OL & Rega arms |
25.50 | 21.25 | |
| BNC plugs on external cable For Naim amps |
25.50 | 21.25 | |
Upgrade Cables
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Burn in Cable for arms | 15.30 | 12.75 | |
| Linear flow 2 external cable (included as standard on Conqueror & Enterprise.) | 388 | 323.33 | |
Counterweights
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Optional Counterweights (Not compatible with Enterprise) | |||
| Light counterweight 11mm thick | 46 | 38.33 | |
| Medium counterweight 13mm thick | 46 | 38.33 | |
| Medium counterweight 16mm thick | 46 | 38.33 | |
| Heavy counterweight 20mm thick | 46 | 38.33 | |
| Counterweights with fine adjusters (Not compatible with Enterprise) | |||
| Medium Counterweight 13mm thick with Fine adjuster weight | 66.50 | 55.42 | |
| Medium Counterweight 16mm thick with Fine adjuster weight | 66.50 | 55.42 | |
| Heavy Counterweight 20mm thick with Fine adjuster weight | 66.50 | 55.42 | |
| Enterprise Only Counterweights | |||
| Medium Counterweight 16mm | 56 | 46.67 | |
| Medium Counterweight 16mm thick with Fine adjuster weight | 76.50 | 63.75 | |
| Heavy Counterweight 20mm | 56 | 46.67 | |
| Heavy Counterweight 20mm thick with Fine adjuster weight | 76.50 | 63.75 | |
Tonearm Spares
| UK Retail | Export Retail | ||
| Arm clip | 26.00 | 21.45 | |
| Large base nut | 12.00 | 9.90 | |
| Cork washer | 5.00 | 4.13 | |
| Side bias rod | 3.00 | 2.48 | |
| Side bias loop | 9.00 | 7.43 | |
| Side bias weight and thread | 35.75 | 29.50 | |
| Lift lower device | 47.00 | 38.78 | |
Reviews
- 5 Globes awarded by Hi Fi World
- "I'd say I've yet to hear few 'real world' tonearms as nice as the Conqueror MK3c ......this is a brilliant all round pickup arm with a relaxed yet confident and enjoyable sound. .....The result is a wonderfully easy, open and even sound that has the uncanny ability to pull you to the music...... "It's the stuff of vinyl legend...... comes strongly recommended for those wanting the ultimate "real world" tonearm..." read more
-Hi Fi World
Awarded "Most Wanted Component of 2005" by Stereo Times
"The arm transcends its artificial mechanical aspect and seems a part of nature. These are heady regions to inhabit. The Origin Live Conqueror arm is another masterpiece from the fertile mind of Mark Baker. It merits the highest of recommendations and is the obvious choice for Most Wanted Component of the Year. Simply, the Conqueror is in a class by itself... " read more
-Stereo Times
- Conqueror Mk2 Reviews:
-
"Arguably the very best tonearm yet made - a startlingly capable all rounder with none of the vices or quirks of rival super-arms..." read more
-Hi Fi World
"Conqueror Mk2 Selected by Garrard as the best arm they've heard for their review of the new 501 model which won reference status in the German audiophile magazine AUDIO. (reference status means an item of equipment that is considered the absolute BEST in terms of performance regardless of price.)"
- "The singularly most addicting piece of gear I have ever heard"
read more
-10 Audio Magazine
- Owner Comments
"The Conqueror in my mind is THE FINAL TONEARM: I decided already to sell my SME V and the Graham 2.0 has been sold to UK already. The reason is the sound (or speak about no sound) the arm is providing. Definitely hard to explain the amount of improvement I achieved with this masterpiece of engineering."
-B. Timmerman, Germany
"It was a shock to find out that the years with the SME were lost years. Your product betters the SME in each aspect. It is outstanding!" read more
-Andreas Winter - Bochum, Germany
