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IMHO (and friend's) opinion of acrylic platter

Hello all...

In my quest to tweak my system for a better possible sound...  

I have gone through the latest item for review, inspection and opinion. I picked up an acrylic platter for my Dual 1219 with a Grado Platinum 1.  

Going in, I was highly skeptical and my skepticism was aligned with a myriad of opinions out their on the net. Such as snake oil, yes, no and every variable opinion possible wedged within.  A discussion happens...yet, not quite like when someone asks about "cables".

I set out to give the best subjective platform for the "test".  I called in a friend of 38 years...who is a musician who is gifted with perfect pitch...and not saddled with tinnitus, like me. He is also a luthier as as well...who knows, on a retail, musical and technical level, the best sound possible...and what to listen for...and how.

I set the volume at a reasonable level, placed him in the sweet spot 'tween the speakers...me to his left. I sought  an album we were both very familiar with...one of the most sonically perfect and best produced albums ever... Steely Dan's "Aja".

We started without the platter for "Black Cow".  We sitting respectfully poised, solemn, quiet and with bowed heads carefully and methodically listened and took in as much musical and sonic information our minds and ears could handle.

When done...I asked him to step away...not wanting his to see what I was going to do...I placed the acrylic platter on...and set every up as before.

I started it again.  5 seconds in...we both had an opinion...and we needed to vocalize it... YES...there was a difference and we agreed there was a bit more bass and it was a bit more defined. We listened through the second spinning (with platter) pass at "Black Cow"...and we agreed there WAS indeed a difference.

So...trying to give the situation the best chance to prove us wrong...I sent him away again...removed the platter...ands ran through "Black Cow" a third time.  A scientific  "A-B-A" test.  At he end of the third spin...we were confirmed...  I showed him what the "change" consisted of...and he was very surprised. 

Yes...the platter did administer a subtle, yet still distinct change to the sound.  I didn't want to believe it...but I could not reasonably disagree with what I heard; neither could my friend.

On a technical level...I cannot explain it... Perhaps it was the materials in the platter that affected the relationship between the cartridge, platter, album...with resonance or rumble...wow/flutter?  I dunno.  Or...since the album is sitting 3mm higher, perhaps it has something to do with the VTA setting...making the stylus' relationship with the groove different...or...more like the VTA when the album was originally "cut" on the "master".

I would enjoy responses...

What a hobby!!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

vinylspin
vinylspin

Showing 2 responses by vinylspin

vinylspin OP
24 posts
 
Thank you all for your the kind input.

The new acrylic platter was placed on a "stock" Dual 1219 platter; the metal kind with a rubber inlay. 

It would seem to me that to compensate for the fact that the album is now 3mm higher, I would consider utilizing the multi-record lever on the back that would literally raise the tone arm. To me, that would seem to be a type of compensation. The thickness of the acrylic platter is 3mm and would logically seem as if another record was placed on the turntable...therefore requiring the multi-record lever to be used.    But, a little research uncovered that apparently there are "shims" that Dual used to furnish that...I am guessing... would be placed in the cartridge head-shell to lower the cartridge.

Hmmmm.

So...because of the 3mm rise of the  album...I just did another "check".  Again playing "Black Cow"...I utilized the multi-record feature... starting with the regular single record setting...I went back and forth a few times.  The change wasn't as obvious...but...there seemed to be a bit more "punch" in the multi-record setting.  The "new" broader and defined bass I discovered yesterday was still intact.   Though, regretfully, I did not have the benefit of my musician friend's ear...I made this determination on my own.  I've picked one over the other...it would be the multi-record setting because of the subtle added "punch".   

Aside from shims...for the head-shell...I am also thinking that since my turntable is actually from technology that is 50 years old...I might have to just accept that or invest in a higher end turntable.  but, funds currently prohibit that option.  I'll have to keep "tweaking".

Again...what a hobby. :)

Thanks for reading.
vinylspin
vinylspin OP
24 posts
 
Hello...

Thank you all for your varied and detailed responses to my issues with my old Dual 1219.  It would seem that with my desires to move up the food chain sound-wise, I have exceeded the old turntable's abilities.  The 50 year old technology just isn't up to the challenge of  meeting and fitfully answering all of the 21st century's type of adjustments needed.  The good news is that because of the powerful and thorough resurgence of vinyl over the last decade, the modern turntable has been technologically brought up to speed.

Thank you lewm for the kind, respectful and gentle way of suggesting that the old Dual 1219 has already lived its best days.  Back in the day it was indeed state-of-the-art...but now...sadly if I want to sally forth...I simply need to carefully box it up and put her in the garage.

I have been looking at the Flaunce RT 85...but, I do not want the cartridge it is equipped with out of the box...the Ortofon Blue.  I want to move into the AT VM 760 SLC.  I might go with an Audio Technica turntable...the  "Audio-Technica AT-LPW40".  I dunno...maybe the  "Consumer AT-LP140XP".  I new thing to ponder...

I also know that a short future is in store for my '83 Yamaha seperates...M-7- and C-70. they're tired too. but, that  particular swap is another day...

Like I have said...what a hobby!

Again...thanks to all for your words and attention to detail...greatly appreciated.

as always...thanks for reading...

vinylspin
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