So you have to swap out the 60Hz pulley and change the wiring on the power block? Do you have to mess with the eddy brake? How do you change speed? Thanks. |
Yes, you need to get the 50Hz pulley and change the jumpers on the wiring block. There are four poles with 2 jumpers on the two on the sides for 110v to one jumper to the two center poles for 220v.
It is a little tricky to make sure the idler wheel only makes connection on the lowest notch of the pulley. With the PS you change between 33 and 45 on the unit with a switch. There is also a variable speed control there that can be locked with a switch on the back. The improvement is huge. |
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I have a 401 that is NOT converted. It is still 220 and has the 50 hz pully.
401 anyone?
I'm a Thoren guy, and for rim drives Russcos, Sparta, QRKs..
Good to know though.. I think I have a 301 somewhere. 401 was the better of the two.
Weird a Zero 100 was the best looking and WORST sounding of the whole bunch.. I have one all dolled up.. Just like my Victrola..
Regards
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I think I'll stick to my Phoenix Engineering combo on my Nantais Lenco. Holds speed within .01 rpm. But good to know there's another excellent option out there.
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The LDA power supply is an AC regenerator similar to the one Monarchy Audio and CTC Turntable used to carry. It should be excellent in lowering Garrard motor noises allowing the motor to run smoother and quieter, this is audible if you put your ears close to the platter. With certain music, the improvement is really drastic, with other music the improved motor made music not sound as immediate. The Garrard seems to have lost some of the drive that Garrards are known for. I'm not against or in favor of AC regenerators, just pointing out both sides for you to consider. |
I know the owner of LDA he is active in the UK HiFi scene at all levels.
He is regularly contributing in forums to assist with Helping Enthusiasts get over the line with their Audio Device Builds.
He is a Meet and Greet Face at some Enthusiast HiFi Events I attend.
He also runs a Business and has produced very reputable Amplification and other devices.
His work on Phonostages is renowned in the UK.
In a recent Post I had referenced a Experience I undertook with a LDA Speed Controller.
I first heard it in use as a 'in the rough' Prototype on a Garrard 401.
The Garrard 401used is a Upgrade Build Model produced by a UK Company, with a 12" Tonearm and Phasemation Cartridge.
The Playback System was a Reference Phonostage > Soulution Pre and Monoblocks > Maxonic Field Coil Speakers.
The First Audition put in place for the Comparison was the Garrard Powered Direct from the Wall Socket .
The Second Audition was the Garrard 401 powered via a Isotek Mains Conditioner at a Retail Value of £6000+
The Third Audition was the Garrard 401 powered via the LDA Quartz Locked Power Supply, the LDA was powered from the Wall Socket.
The LDA out performed each previous Power Supply by a much improved margin.
All attendees were impressed by the performance that was experienced.
The LDA was given a applause by the audience.
A second demonstration was put on using the LDA Quartz Power Supply.
Correct me if I am missing the correct term for the motor to be referred to.
A Belt Drive TT with a Non Synchronous Motor was played through the
same Three Power Supply Methods, the TT was not as well adorned with a Tonearm and Cartridge as the Garrard 401.
Again the audience went for the LDA Powered TT as the most impressive.
Jump forward a few months, I met the LDA Owner at a HiFi Social Event I like to attend.
I was questioning the use of the now fully completed and marketed
LDA Quartz Lock Power Supply.
I had offered to bring my own NSC Speed Controller along to a future event to compare the two devices.
To my surprise I was offered the LDA to take home and compare them with my PTP Solid 9, to which I accepted.
It was also agreed I was welcome to use it at a couple of my local to home social meet ups.
The LDA was immediately noticeable at being better than my Speed Controller in the way the Bass was much tighter and the Mid's and Highs were projecting.
At a friends with a modified Thorens Belt Drive, the LDA shone, the Thorens was elevated.
The Thorens owner was shocked as they believed the modifications had maxed out their TT's performance.
The Final Day out for the LDA was to visit a friend who lives and breathes Garrard 401's and Lenco GL 75's .
These TT's are modded to the Hilt and there are not many who modify to the extent of this persons TT's
There is a resident custom version of a Speed Controller to work with the TT's.
Well the LDA did the same as all previous auditions, it performed in a improved manner, that was noticeable.
Taught Bass and Upper Frequency Projection.
This hurt my friend as he was under the impression he was not to be surpassed.
He took this audible memory and tuned his own Speed Controller to
mimic the LDA control of the Low, Mid, and High Frequencies.
I know Nick Gorman to be a very polite and very helpful as a person,
few will have not benefitted from his input offered, either socially or professionally.
He is a very capable at his profession, with his designs and production of HiFi Devices.
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Great pindac! Nice to have such a complete confirmation.
Nick Gorman... I have found that Audio companies seem to reflect the integrity of the owners. A good example is Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere. Nick’s other products seem good and affordable. Especially interesting is the top phono stage,
But to the point, now listening to Chet Baker Sings, his voice and trumpet come out like never before. What was very good is now scary good. I don’t know a better improvement for Garrard and Lenco. |
Wouldn't be great if you could buy it on Amazon Prime and send it back for no-quibble refund if it didn't work out? |
Well, it may not be as convenient, but you can buy from Robin and send it back to him if it did not work out.
Very unlikely... but he is very cool.
RobyattAudio.com |
This info will have to be searched out and conformed as I believe it is to be found on a UK Forum.
Owners of the LDA Quartz Power Supply had redirected the use,
and attached them as a Power Supply for a CD Player.
I am recollecting reports, that the user had experienced improvements on the SQ of the CD presentation.
I do not recall any descriptions of the impressions made.
If a person is running a Idler/ Non Synchronous Motor Belt Drive Vinyl Source, as well as a CDP Source.
If they chose to use the LDA as a Power Supply Upgrade, it could prove to be Win Win, if experimented with to Drive both sources. |
Question: do you still use the speed adjustment on the Garrard 401 to dial in the speed? |
I bought an LDA PS from Robin for my Thorens TD124. I am quite happy with it. I found the instruction manual a bit confusing though. I did not change pulleys or motor strapping. I know my speed is spot on because I use a Phoenix Engineering Roadrunner. |
Run EVERYTHING off of 220vac if you can. I don't think that 50Hz. is superior to 60Hz. It's simply a power thing, V times I = Power. |
Speed adjustment is now done by a switch on the PS. |
For US 110 volt, don’t you have to change voltage on the 401 motor block to 220/240V to use the LDA?
Do you also have to remove the eddy brake disk? |
There are four poles on the motor block. Change the 110v jumper connected to the two outer poles to the two inner poles for 220v.
The pulley on the eddy brake needs to be replaced. |
