A Copernican View of the Turntable System

Thanks Shane.....
Not only 'cool'....the Herzan is a real listening experience for vinyl lovers.

I dealt with Reid Whitney directly at Herzan in the States.
He really knows his stuff.
Tim Rather then handles the production and delivery.
I paid what I had to plus 'extra' for a special larger top-plate (I didn't want to run out of room if I needed to mount some other 12" arms in the future) plus FedEx Delivery......it took 3 days from the factory for me to have it 👍

This is definitely not a cheap option Shane....
Thuchan is about to trial a cheaper version in Germany from Accurion...
Will be interesting to hear his thoughts.....

Hi Ralph,
I've noticed that both you and J.Carr have recently 'transferred' over to 'The Dark Side' by adopting the new Technics SL1200 DD turntable over your previously loved belt-drives.
The Empire in your case and the Final Labs and big Micro Seiki in Jonathan's.
Can you reveal why you have changed, and what the Technics does that the Empire doesn't?

Regards
Henry

Hi Folkfreak,
We must be related.....
Palladian cartridge, Herzan.....😁
I trust you're still enjoying the Palladian..?

Your supporting shelf for the turntable is most unusual....
I can understand the reasoning behind it (assuming you have springy floorboards)....but perhaps you swapped one problem for another..?
Suspension systems (as I know from engineering) are designed to MOVE...😱
Not only side to side, but also up and down depending on the details.
I can well understand how the readouts are more severe than in my situation.
The Herzan in your case must really be earning its keep....👍
On the positive side, the differences when the isolation is 'ON' compared to 'OFF' must be night and day...?
Are you able to describe the effects you are hearing?

Regards
Henry

As far as I know JCarr was using a Marantz TT1000 DD as a daily runner.

You're right Dover...

My TT-1000 by itself has a little less mass in the platter system than stock (I needed to shave down the top of the platter to get a flat surface for the graphite mat to bond onto). Add the center clamp, and the net weight ends up pretty close to stock - not enough to warrant readjusting the servo gain.

He goes on....

Dover, you have a Final Audio? So do I (grin). My unit predates the Takai-era Parthenon, but is new enough to have the SPZ plinth rather than the original granite. It also has the bi-phase motor controller. FWIW, Kitamura's preferred material for mat and clamp was chrome copper rather than gun-metal. 

And then more....

Even on my Micro-Seiki SZ-1S, which has a 28kg machined stainless-steel platter and integral vacuum clamp as well as air bearings for the platter and motor/flywheel, I ended up keeping the air bearings engaged and defeating the vacuum clamp (although I did prefer to insert a mat between LP and platter surface).

Impressive collection...
That Micro is higher up the scale than the SX/RX-8000 I believe...
http://www.thevintageknob.org/micro_seiki-SZ-1.html
But I wonder if he's gone over to the new Technics SL1200 in place of the Marantz...or is he a 'paid' mouthpiece......?

Folkfreak,

The Palladian is still performing exceptionally, I used to have issues with stylus muck build up but since getting an ultrasonic cleaner this is a problem I no longer have. I’m still waiting on a new arm board from EAR so I can drop the arm another .5mm which I think will be ideal but other than that no concerns. Where do you have yours riding relative to horizontal? At present I’m a hair tail up which is as low as my arm can go with the sub board I currently have to use

I have my Palladian running a smidgen LOWER than parallel (at the pivot) so I think you may well find a further improvement when you receive your new armboard....?
Good luck..

Dear Halcro,
what I learned is that taking an active isolation vibration platform, Herzan or Accurion, the latter one is not really cheap, may establish an even less nervous and more relaxed sound stage. As I showed on my blog it is quite an investment but you will get back a lot. Great discussion and philosophy!

Agreed Thuchan....
The effects on the upper frequencies are the most revealing I feel.
All the records I have where the high-frequencies become brittle or screechy as the volume increases are now listenable and (mostly) enjoyable.
I continue to enjoy your Blog Audiocirc .....
Wonderful equipment and comments.
Keep up the good work 👍