A Copernican View of the Turntable System

Banquo

I found those AT 616 footers give you a lot of flexibility for high your pod can be and they also make fine leveling of the sp10 very easy.

How do you like the freedom you have now to not only use any arm you want but you can pretty much place it anywhere you want on the platform. :^)

Am curious as to what the approximate cost was for the EPA Pod. It is really nice.

Should have my 2nd sp10 up and running within the next couple weeks in the city.

Nikola did you find the room to set up your SP10.

Their footprint is very small with a pod which makes them ideal regarding space.

Cheers Chris

Hi Henry - all I do with the sp10 is put a record on it - use my choice of clamp depending on the record and hit start. I never lean on it. Raul suggested the 616's originally I think?

Those 616's are very hard to find were not a North American product. I got mine from a fluke - someone from Holland responded to a wanted ad I had placed.

My second sp10 will be using spikes. IMO as long as the platform you are using is level and isolated well, then any good manufacturer footers would work depending on your application.

Once you have reached this level - what became more important to me was how high the footers needed to be - if they were fixed or adjustable - this all helped to determine how high tall the pod would end up being and how much adjustability needed to be put into the threaded spikes.

Nikola - I agree with what Lew said about the sp10 and its guts kinda of just hanging there with cover removed. I also know when not to mess with a good thing when I hear it. The same "abstract thinking" would apply to Henry's JVC ?

Lew - My site has pictures of multiple arms being used as well as I believe Banquo's and Dgob's sites.

Cheers Chris

The real story here – and I say this from my direct experience the last 6 months, and from the emails I have received is about the ARMPOD.

People in this “very small” specialized hobby that are into the mid and higher end categories want to add arms and experience other cartridges with their Existing turntable. They have TT’s of all types. That is the story.

Manufacturers are you listening. This is the next level for this hobby. And until manufacturers wake up and stop charging ridiculous $$ for a machined piece of metal people will continue to make their own – those with more money will have them made. It costs me $150 to make a 16.5 lb brass armpod. Come out with one that costs twice that and I will buy it to save the time and trouble.

Ecir38 – over half the emails I have received for the pdf on making a basic pod were from people with idlers. My next project heading into the winter was to be an idler that I was going to put the “platter/motor only” in a plinth to use with a couple of armpods. That was the plan. As it goes a very special Lenco 75 fell into my hands, so now I am looking forward to listening and comparing heading into the fall.
Cheers Chris

Nikola - if I was in your position with a tuned up virgin Sp10mkii in my house and that Reed armpod and tonearm already in place I would not be able sleep until I put them on a small temporary stand with appropriate height footers under the sp10 just to hear what it was like.

Henry - I agree a universal one will be tough to do with all the dimensions. Larry at TT weights is making a good effort at it as Brad said. Others will follow. Henry your armpods look more expensive than the price you mentioned.

Nikola - you have two adjustables factors being the armpod itself and your arm. A third could be the sp10 footers. Your armpod is roughtly the same height as mine which is 4.2 inches tall. That means you will require taller footers based on an sp10. I cant recall how high the 616's are - maybe if Banquo sees this he can comment on their height. I think about 2.5 - 3 inches. I would not let that stop you.

I would get some small blocks of wood or other material and with some blue tac put two just inside the front corners and one in the middle of the contour toward the back - see my system page. Find any decent table to put it all on temporarily - you will still hear the magic. The sp10 mkII has no detectable rumble and requires little to work well. They used to plunk these things down on radio station tables everywhere. They are self contained as you can see and bullet proof.

I am still up north in Gods Country going after the elusive record small mouth bass will be returning in a couple of days and can provide more info.

Cheers

Dear Nikola

Please ignore my last recommendation. I fear if you try it and liked what u hear that you will be in for a bigger dilemma with your space constraints. I already have 3 TT's in one room but the room is dedicated. It is still lunacy to an outsider. I tell myself its keeping me from becoming a loon but probably too late. Too much beer and sun I fear at this point for me.

Anyway - I do not want to be responsible for any problems this may cause in your house.

Cheers Chris

I am lucky in that the tonearms I was using when Henry’s thread came about were top mounted ones. This made design of my pod very easy and allowed for all the mass to be in the pod itself – no hollowing out required no extra parts - so to speak. It won’t win any design awards but its purpose is all functional and it is immovable. If you can tap holes for screws and spikes u can make this totally yourself.

All of the hinges, bolts and screws that I adjust for VTF, Azimuth, … are part of the tonearms themselves. This is just one solution and it has made life for me and this part of the hobby a simple and satisfying one.

My latest tonearm the DV-505 was selected because it looked very interesting yes, but it is also a top mount and looks like it was built by Dynavector for a Pod. Its very portable. Its perfect for it. I have been totally intrigued by its design and its ease of setup on both a pod and a plinthed TT using the Dynavector Jig.

Cheers Chris

The Dynavector DV-505 (and its later 507 version) has alway enticed me because of its distinctly architectonic appearance?
I have never though, read a really thorough review of its performance vis-a-vis other tonearms?
It would be good to hear your impressions?

Hi Henry – I will be posting tonearm and drive impressions on my system page. BTW - I thought that was a very interesting comparison of the Raven 3 motor BD versus JVC DD you did on your system page.

I did a/b the DV505 with the ET 2.5 on pods already using the sp10 which I believe the dv505 was designed for. The dv505 was not using the same cartridge as the ET which had the empire 4000 diii gold on it. So I will hold off on what I heard. I am waiting for another empire cartridge from a member here but the delivery got botched up so I am still waiting for it. Thought I would have it in time for when I got back from vacation.

So - for the “older thinkers” out there I mounted my second ET the smaller brother version 2.0 on the Lenco along with the Dv505.

Lenco 75 Dv505 Et 2

They will both be using Empire 4000 diii Gold. If it does good against the 2.5’s little brother will try it against the ET 2.5 again. Mechanics, magnets, strings and funny hanging stuff up against a frictionless air bearing linear tracker.

Lew - do you have the Dynavector stylus / spindle alignment gauge?

Cheers Chris

Dear DT, It's relevant to this thread only in that it points out the critical nature of tonearm alignment for those who wish to use outboard arm pods that are free to move about in relation to the tt spindle. (I will now don my armor plating.)

I totally agree Lew that where the stylus "hits the road" is the most important thing for tonearm alignment. And after reading the last half dozen posts here about pivot arm stylus "driving problems" it really doesn't get any easier than this. IMO "I rest my case" as Nikola would say ?

Stylus on the Road :>)

Such passion over a hunk of metal ! Is this not a great hobby that can generate this much passion over an inanimate object.

Dear D, Lew - I realize that Henry’s pods do kind of look like little gods in the sun – but trust me – they are not real. This is not Greek Mythology. They don't get up in the middle of the night and start dancing together.

No - Something tells me there has to be more to this to stir up these emotions because building one is not rocket science.

- Could it be egos ?
- Could it be religious in nature ?
- Could it be this POD changes our way of life ?
- Could it have an impact on my business $$ if it becomes mainstream in this hobby ? Ouch – that one hurt.

Pick one or make up your own because I really don’t get what the commotion is all about.

For those of us that use them they bring “better” sonics, flexibility, choices we never had before.

"Excuses", at this point, are just a mask for some form of bias or denial.” Arthur Salvatore

Just wanted to add from my direct experience and conversations with other people that use PODS. Most do not have 4 pods set up ready to go like Henry does.
So others change these PODS in and out with different tonearms and cartridges frequently - weekly to monthly for some who prefer certain tonearms/cartridges with different music.

To these people - aligning a tonearm/cartridge on a pod takes literally all of 1 or 2 minutes. You move the whole pod around till its lined up. Hence their popularity, flexibility and advantage, regardless of the better sonics being discussed here.

So IMO - the theory of these microscopic movements never comes into play here. It’s a moot point based on the vinyl POD persons habits.

I can also add from my direct experience and I know that D is aware of this. Unlike a pivot arm - a linear tracker tells you right away if something is out. In fact it screams it. If it is not dialed in, it is like watching TV in the old days with an antennae – remember the haze around the image until you moved the antennae around to get the image clear.

Cheers Chris

T-Bone – looking forward to hearing of your results with the armpod experiment and how your ideas can help to improve my setup.

Guys - Its nice to bring this channel back to its regular programming. :^)

Hi Dgob - In follow up to my material inquiries earlier.
It is my intent to build two more pods but I am not sure yet of the material hence my question earlier. My direct experience in talking to the people that work at Metal Supermarkets. Most of their metals are in solid billet form and sent to them after they have been melted down and pulled through the device that forms their shape. The attached link is a picture of the actual solid billet that my brass piece was cut from. I apologize for the quality -it was moving when the pic was taken.

Solid Brass Billet

My piece came from 4.2 inches that was cut from the right side of this long bar. I ordered 4 inches – they were generous to me, but this almost spelled disaster with my calculations on the adjustability of my TT footers and tonearm adjustments that were possible.

I rate my DIY skill level with metals as very low. I can thread holes for spikes or screws in metals but that’s it for me. Everything else would go to a machine shop $$.

Henry regarding your links to those armpod manufacturers.

I had a very interesting phone discussion with Larry from TT Weights the other day. I hadn’t been to his shop in quite some time. Now remembering his bias as a manufacturer, there are apparently quite a few “for this hobby” of his armpods out there in use today.

If any of Larry’s Armpod users see this thread I would really like to have your impressions on them regardless of whether you have bought just the POD or the TT /Pod package. I had called Larry to schedule a visit with him to see for myself how big the gap still is between my making my next POD or buying one. He is unfortunately sold out and will not have some ready to go again till mid-to late Sept. So will schedule a visit then to check them out and let u guys know. He is looking forward to reviews coming out soon.

FWIW – this is probably one of the longer stretches I have gone without changing up arms or cartridges. 2 ½ months with some vacation time too now for the ET 2.5 and the Empire. I checked it well last night. If I was lining it all up for the first time today I would try to align the sylus exactly as I see it now in my setup still.

Cheers

Hi D – Does your Uni tangential alignment tool differ from the manufacturers one at all ?

The tool I actually use for measurement is a customized one that has a fine thin line etched into the material. The stylus fits into it or it doesn’t. The pic I posted was the manufacturers one as u know. Thought it looked like a nice two lane highway per post reference ? I have found with the sp10 chassis 7.5 inches is the "middle of the road" when measured from the left side for the ET 2.5.

Hi Lew – if you choose to order the Kuzma 4 point tonearm online with a computer – pls be careful when checking off the options boxes. You don’t want to end up receiving one of Mr Kuzma’s brass arm pods in the mail too ? But I have to admit I would pay to see a picture of your face if you opened up the box to find one inside? :>)

All
I am going to have a plate welded to the bottom of my brass arm pod to accept the DIN connection right at the pod. Can anyone tell me if I better off to use a different metal other than brass for this plate. (sonically speaking ) Anyone have any thoughts on this ? Was planning on brass ?
Much appreciated.

Cheers Chris

If this advice follows the logic of Rauls recommendations
( not p but q)some of us will get fantastic arm pods for cheap. My only worry is the high cost of postage from Australia to Europe

I already called dibs on those Nikola – sorry – right Henry ?

Hi D – I apologize – should have posted my question in the Uni-Protractor thread about the tangential alignment tool.
Chris

Hi T Bone - An all Phosphor-Bronze POD ?

Hello Jonathan Carr – I want to say that I find your posts on this public forum always very informative and helpful no matter what the thread topic. As a manufacturer you are quick to point out any biases and I appreciate that you usually recommend to us to use our own ears for the final call.

THEORY PART

Jonathan Carr stated.

A) Mounting the tonearm on a separate pod allows relative movement to occur between the tonearm pivot and the platter / spindle, and this will interfere with the "accuracy of measurements".

This sounds very technical and something that would come out of a white paper. It is a statement that would give designers/manufacturers a direction to take in the manufacture of TT’s. It also sounds very logical to me at the macro level. I have no problem with it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Now here is another broad statement that I have read about Armpods on the internet. Original Author unknown.

B) Isolated Armpods break the rumble feedback “loop” as it happens through the plinth as it contacts the arm at both ends - through the arm pillar and cartridge via the platter.

This also sounds very technical to me again and "also" something that I think could come out of a white paper. It is also a statement that would give designers / manufacturers a direction to take with the manufacture of their TT’s and also their Armpods as a package together or separately. It also sounds very logical to me at the macro level. I have no problem with it.

FACTUAL

This vinyl hobby is a very “crude hobby” no matter how “pretty” we make the components look and how technical we make our language about it. Such expensive mechanical or structural components whose job together is to send “vibrations” along picked up from a crude piece of vinyl plastic, of which NO TWO ARE ALIKE.

I have watched how these lps are made. All of vinyl’s inaccuracies 1) warps, 2) not centered spindles, 3) varying thicknesses, 4) varying grooves 5) fill in others …
This has led to a plethora of devices out there to help mitigate these inaccuracies. Look at all the devices trying to get the best alignment out of just two specific points on this piece of vinyl. The remaining points on the lp become even less accurate. All of this makes words such as "accuracy of measurements" start sounding to me on this public chat forum, like square pegs being tried to fit into round holes? No matter how accurate the process is in building the actual TT player itself and its components. You are still dealing with that piece of vinyl as your source.

SETTING THE RECORD (no pun intended)

I am in no Pro camp here – never have been. I am only Pro sound for me in my room/s. I am a user here – I am not a manufacturer, designer, dealer, distributor or anyone that benefits in any way from having someone’s equipment in my room like some others here. My latest TT has a 100 pound plinth. I have multiple TT’s that I own and of the three in my modest sound room, one uses Armpods.

For the last 30 years my occupation has been in the field of RISK Management Planning and Mitigation. I get dropped into companies and my team needs to come up with solutions to their specific problems. This work involves macro and micro analysis, design and solutions.

Now if I was being asked my professional work opinion here based on all this theory and my real listening tests, my professional response back would be that both of the above statements (A) and (B), make logical sense at the macro level and the ultimate micro TT detailed solution must take in and incorporate the advantages of both.

PHILOSOPHY

I am a big believer in the BIG ROCK theory. Not just for this hobby, but for my family, and my occupation. I consider myself a music lover first then an average audiophile. I have only myself to please. I have been told I am a very stubborn person.

SUBJECTIVE PART

My opinion as a user and after real testing and real experimenting in my own room are that even though A and B are I believe, both logical statements. For what I am actually hearing (B) represents a bigger rock than (A). I believe I am hearing the advantages of (B) and they overcome or cover up any problems with (A) - or if not - someone here should stop with the theory and tell me what I should be listening for to indicate (A) problems.

In the meantime I have not completed all my planned testing, but so far I feel the isolation this Pod provides helps to move me closer to my nirvana. I am content and having a lot of fun listening to music, not worried if my 16.6 lb Brass Pod or Platter and Motor are moving on me.

Cheers Chris

Just a clarification in my last post - I dont see it posted yet.

I say something like nothing has moved. In respect of the previous posts I am taking the liberty of re-wording it.

After 2.5 months - In looking at where the stylus is on the alignment gauge:

Edited

"If I was lining it all up for the first time today I would try to align the sylus exactly as I see it now"

Dear Nikola – you said.

I 'assist' ( by looking) my machinist while
he was busy to cut from a billet of bronze a collar for my
Pioneer P-70 tonearm.

For your information – here in North America machine shop rates are by the hour and are based on the following criteria.

$ XX – tell him what you want and go away – come back to pick it up.

$ XXX – if you want to watch him make it

$ XXXX – if you want to watch him and also ask questions.

Now I know at least a couple of us have spare sp10 mkII’s sitting idle ? Well my 2nd sp10 mkII recently got set up in the city. I am satisfied with the sound but being this a hobby I need to get more height on the footers to accommodate another armpod that I am planning on making.

Now I naively thought that all Australians were as nice as Henry. How greedy that person is on ebay asking what he is for those AT 616’s.

This got me thinking. I believe I had a mini epiphany. I was so pumped about it and its simplicity that I had to head over to the local machine shop to see if the costs were in line. The costs were so I had some made. Attached is a picture of them.

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1314300811.jpg

These are 5 inches high and made from One Inch diameter solid stainless steel and have adjustable threads. I have just installed them, may get some time to listen before we go away for the weekend. Any comments from those that have direct experience with Nude Sp10’s ?

Well ok I will open it up to all ? I have a thick layer of Teflon.

I have found that different footers on TT’s change the sound dramatically. Any guesses on how the sound will change from the Pneumatic AT616’s ? They are coupled to 4 inches of solid maple that is isolated on three metallic filled legs spiked to the house basement slab.

Oh I almost forgot – Material and labor $48 cash for all four. I had to go away for a couple of hours and come back to pick them up.

BTW – thank you very much Henry for teaching me how to add links and pictures. What a PITA it is an archaic outdated system.

Cheers

Looks to me more convincing than the AT footers below the cover because this cover is very questionable as support.

Dear Nikola

Looks can be very deceiving – hearing is believing.

You have at least 4 virtual friends on this forum from the UK, Mexico, US and Canada affirming the sound of a Nude SP10 MKII on AT 616 footers.

My mother always told me to choose your friends wisely.

Cheers Chris

Hi Nikola - I can do better than that. I have a 7 layer Canadian baltic birch sp10 plinth sitting idle. I can send it to you to try if you like. But you would have to pay for the shipping. Its over 50 lbs. Let me know if interested.

Hi Henry - will post the SS footers info on the Nude TT thread - I see its front page again.

Cheers

How big a Problem Is this Airborne Feedback ?

I am referring to 95 + db levels at the listening position.

Or is it really structure related so a wall mounted TT would work best?

Two statements made on this thread.

Halcro

Air-borne feedback is very rarely a problem despite what you believe.

JCarr

Even better would be to add an acoustic shield around the turntable so that it doesn't get affected by the sound pressure from the speakers.

Are these not differing viewpoints?

Hi Johnathan Carr - is your statement based on your real experience with ”shields” or theory ?

Hi Henry – I know you have yelled at your cartridge at a loud decibel and not heard anything back through the speakers ? Do I really need to attempt this as well ?

I rotate different speakers into my room - Dipole, Dynamic cones. Gear placement for one type does not mean the best placement for the other especially if dealing with a smaller room.
I have opinions but would like to hear others real experience. I am planning some modifications to the room. This discussion would be very helpful to me.

Cheers

Chris

Observations of Direct Sound Pressure on a Tonearm

The recent posts have been great, informative and enlightening for me. Thanks guys. TBone - looking forward to your results as well …

Sorry for the long post.

I was curious, so I tried to create a direct air borne problem before it became a structure feedback problem just to see if possible. Two TT’s together on the side wall directly opposite the firing of one of my speakers. Everything u wouldn’t want to do to get direct airborne feedback with a TT I did. The first TT is no more than 6 feet away from the drivers of my speaker. Before I tell u what happened let me say I have played around quite a bit already with this air pressure phenomenon but from the other end.

I have experimented with my air bearing arms to see how the air pressure affects them as it comes out of the air bearing. I learned what their maximum PSI threshold is. Go past this point and they start to resonate from not being able to handle the PSI. Keep just under it and you have magic happening. Anyway above this threshold they resonate and can’t hold the cartridge/stylus in the groove properly anymore. A loss of detail happens. Your $$$$$ TT rig starts sounding like a $$ rig. No surprise right ?

So I thought what the hell, this is going to be more fun than yelling at the cartridge so I let loose on them hoping to make the tonearms/cartridges show some signs of sonic deterioration. I played big music at well over 100 db. What happened?

Well first thing is not what I could hear but feel because my listening chair was vibrating. I then went over to one of the speakers and felt the sound anchor stand holding up the 110 lb speaker. The heavy metal SA stand was resonating. They are spiked to the basement concrete slab. My room is closed 12 X 24 FT. with speakers in nearfield firing down the length. The side walls were also resonating. But what about the music ?

Nothing – NADA – the music and tonearms were fine as far as I could hear. So in my case with this little experiment I heard no direct sound pressure effect on the tonearms. If you don’t believe me.

Ask this Audiogon member if he is worried about Direct Sound Pressure from the Speakers ?

So based on this I agree with what Henry said. The airborne feedback is changing (mutating) into structure feedback. Its going into the walls, the floor, the racks the gear. Everywhere. Structure Feedback is the audiophiles version of “VIRUS” movies. Go ahead put up a shield - its going there too - now u will have something resonating next to your precious $$$$$ tonearm - does this make sense ? I dont know I didnt try it but I'm also not going to Home Depot to buy plexiglass or something else to surround the TT either. I've heard enough.

Structure feedback is there but until you discover it no matter how small a problem it may be and correct it as Pryso's experience tells, you may not even realize its there. This has to be one of the leading causes of why gear may sound good at the dealer, but then people bring it home and it sounds different ?

This experiment was good for me because it gave me a better idea on the limits of what my room are. My racks isolate ok to well above 100 db so below that where I actually listen I am fine for now. Could they be better - definitely - maybe I will ask Don to build me a nicer rack ?

But I think I need a new listening chair first?

Thoughts ?

Forgot to mention I have some very serious structure feedback issues at the TT in the other location - old building, suspended floors. Am looking at buying a TT shelf or building one for there. I sympathize with those of you with suspended floors.

Hi Nikola
As long as I stayed in my chair it was very nice but loud - the vibrating chair added to the effect :^) . But sustained levels would not let me enjoy this hobby for very long. It did however start feeling like a shoebox at those levels when I got up to check the gear, walls, etc...

Yes the other building has many problems. Adding vinyl there exposed many of them. It will be a challenge.
Cheers

Hi Pryso

I agree with what Jim Smith and yourself say. I also keep my TT’s on racks 6” from the side long wall wall in the 12 x 24 ft room.


Speaker Angle

This picture is the regular placement. The only positioning change I needed to do for this experiment was to rotate the midrange/tweeter module and angle the woofer box a few inches inches to point at the TT’s directly.

The front of the woofer is 9 feet from the front wall. The SP10 TT at the rear is actually 7 feet from the back wall – looks deceiving. The Lenco is only 5 feet from the speaker woofer not 6.

Armpod Recommendation

For those of you that use a metal (brass, SS, bronze, other ) armpod have you tried a few drops of oil in the tonearm mount screw holes before you mount your tonearm ?

I’d really like to get your impressions on what this does to the sound for you. I am using some oil in the armpod and the SP10 SS legs.

Cheers

From Nikola's last post I have to admit that having a lawyer with an armpo... sorry I meant to say pedestal :^) -has advantages.

T-Bone - you said.

"The philosophical issue some of us have is that of putting an isolation layer between the motor bearing and the arm bearing."

Why is this ? Can you provide more info on this.

I thought about it. I have limited knowledge of bearings other than actually changing the one in a turntable, as well as the wheel bearings on my trailer and my automobile wheels. I would have assumed that a TT motor bearing is different than an arm bearing both in the way it is designed and works. In fact who here actually uses a table and arm from the same manufacturer even ?

Fleib gave a really good description of how bearings are selected at REGA on the MM thread.

So I am thinking with these two disjointed designs being joined somewhere on a plinth or by appendage - attached somewhere. That this would lend itself to more rumble/chatter, etc...

Remember I have heard an armpod so I have a comparison to make here.

I would tell the design team to separate the two or prove me wrong with test results.

Now lets make it more complicated – a Unipivot arm does not have any bearings but point/s ?

Lets go another level still - an air bearing arm ?

Wonder how those things sound on an armpod ?

At least you are coming up with reasons T Bone. I agree with Henry – with your gear you are the perfect candidate. I am actually selfishly hoping you could provide me with tips to improve my setup based on your experience.

Cheers

The only thing I am envious of in this hobby is the “room” and specifically in this priority order.

1) Dedicated room

2) Size of Room.

No matter what your room size – if you are an audiophile and you have a room to do with the gear and room what you desire, you will find appropriate gear and place them optimally in your room for you. I have seen and heard many “great size” rooms but the gear is placed to deal with the fact that it is a “shared” room. Even if your room is square and small, if you were free to place gear and speakers in it as you like – you will find your nirvana. I am not a fan of headphones personally. Have always enjoyed listening to groups, bands, performances. I want my ears to hear the effects of the surroundings. I am a music lover first, not someone involved with testing of a product that needs a certain type of “testing” environment. The differences between the two are black and white.

My room is not the best size room but it is a dedicated sound room (12 ft x 24 ft) built 12 years ago. Partial Basement Section, insulated for sound (walls and ceilings). Two separate power feeds into the room. I place gear wherever I want and trust me I have over 12 years. In fact I have placed my gear everywhere in that room just to hear the effects. This hobby to me is ONLY about what I hear.

It is clean for a picture if I am lucky once a year. I am frankly too embarrassed with the wires and “accessories” on the floor, the mess to post an overall pic.

My speakers are in nearfield. 9 ft from the front wall. 6 feet between centre of woofers. I sit close enough to touch them if I reach over – about 6 feet (1.5 – 1.8 metres). Except for the gear near the side wall there is 15 feet of open space behind my listening chair. Controls on my vintage Audio Research Sp11 MK II Pre Amp are never changed. It is run in Direct Bypass mode. No filters in use. Circuitry for Preamp controls are bypassed.

This setup I have found allows for good comparisons. I can hear subtle nuances very well – this setup IMO is better for this than a setup that allows for reflections to reach you. I have no problems posting impressions of what I actually hear. My ears don’t lie to me. I will not post based on theory only.

Also after over 2 months of listening, including a 115 + db level test with direct sound pressure and the resulting structure feedback, I went through the motions of trying to line up an ET 2.5 on the brass arm pod and the ET 2.0 on a 100 lb plinth as if being done for the first time. No alignment was required on either of them.

So as this being the Copernican thread - I will ask “again” for those that believe there is relative movement happening between the arm and spindle. Educate me. Teach me.

JCarr, Dover, Lew, Tbone, others ? I ask you to stop talking theory and prove this to me. Don’t use the word distortion. This is a kindergarten word for audiophiles. You can do better.

Prove to me what you are hearing or have heard with an armpod – provide me with the lp, track and the part in the song that demonstrates this theory. Otherwise its words out of your mouth and I listen with my ears.

BTW Dover did Halcro not pay your bar bill? Holy Cripes

I am currently listening to different drive systems. I am able to hear clear differences between all three of them. I will be posting the lp, track and part of the song that demonstrates this on my system page.
Also at a minimum if possible for those with an opinion - at least show us the speakers, phonostage, cables you are using so we can compare and improve our setup. Lay it out there.

It is more convincing and will keep this thread from going in circles. I agree with Dover in that regard.

I also have more respect if Manufacturers, dealers, distributors show a disclaimer. I will look to them first when buying as well.

Hi Nick –

Besides the the interconnects there is also the issue that my dedicated power line runs to an outlet located on the wall between the speakers.

IMO - I rate the quality of electricity as important as the room. I did not want to deal with extra cords and I know I have a problem with moving gear around a lot. I did not want to be at the mercy of the wall outlets. So I had the electrican install a shielded flexible dedicated line with 4 outlets on the end. This flexible line will reach back into the deepest section of the room if needed. My amps get plugged into it.

This flexible line has provided me the freedom to place gear anywhere and experiment.

For my neighborhood my meter has shown anywhere from 115 at the worst in summer to 122 depending on the time of year. I can remember years ago when turning on the amps and the lights would dim momentarily.

Cheers Chris

D - sorry don't know the song but the blonde in the back is really cute :^)
The guy next to her though doing the cueing, I would not let near my gear. He looks like he could do some serious damage.

Dear Thuchan

LOL - I didn’t know that Aleks the designer had already hired you in charge of marketing. Great choice - as you just increased its value in my “eyes” . But I would have thought you were too busy for this type of work. Many fringe benefits come with the purchase of items at this level of “play” ?

But how are you going to guarantee to me that the TT will still sound good after she leaves ? Will she leave the good belts with instructions ?

Also I need to ask - As head of the marketing group is there any way you can get me a ride in the Phoenix Mars Lander that was just sold; I mean - before the new owner picks it up? How much push do you have ? :^)


Pending Sale of Phoenix Mars Lander – halfway down page

Dear thuchan - thx for the insight. A good company revenue strategy is very important to stakeholders.
I always tell my children to shoot for the moon. So I tried to take swallow my own advice and asked for something out of this world.

OK - I will settle for the personal helicopter, if the blonde has her pilots license :^)

Does being the Captain of the Hinderburg feel at all like breaking an expensive stylus based on my own stupidity.

cheers

Dear D - you have a wonderful sense of humour :^(

Hi Nikola - how is your Moldavian plinth working out for your SP10 ?

Cheers

Inshore referred to this information on the MM thread which I thought was very interesting.


Actual Stylus/Cartridge Vibrations Study - Findings By Reed.


Is this a valid study ?

Would the motor/platter/belt resonances not represent a second set of lines on the top diagram clashing with the stylus resonances ?

Opinions ?

Henry – here is one that goes with the theme of the thread.

I only recently got permission from Geoch on the Turntable Accuracy thread to post this.

It fits better here I think ? :^)

The Greeks believe if you have lived without passion you have not lived.


Vinyl Passion

Owner
Mr. Chris Skaloumbakas
President of the Greek Audiophile Club.

Mr Skaloumbakas – if you happen to see this post sir. Let me say that your passion is quite evident to me as I see it in Geoch as well.

Cheers