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Oracle Alexandria - time for new springs?

Hi,

I recently went through and readjusted the suspension on my Oracle Alexandria turntable according to the manual. When set up "properly," two of the three spring covers no longer fit into place as the springs are protruding too far above the deck. Everything sounds fine but this thing with the spring covers is a real drag. I bought the table used and it came with the Sumiko MMT tonearm and [ugly] head shell. I am using an older Sumiko Blue Point cartridge. I am wondering if this is a sign that the springs are bad and need to be replaced. I've always assumed that it has the correct type of springs since the tonearm is standard; maybe not. Anyone have any experience with, or ideas about, such suspension table problems?

Thanks,
rickk

Showing 4 responses by rickk

rickk OP
15 posts
 
The bottom of the platter is just under a 1/4" from the plinth. The manual specified 3/8" but that seemed really high when I set it up that way and caused all three spring covers not to fit. I lowered it to the present distance and followed everything else as described in the manual but still have problems with two of the spring covers. It is very puzzling. What is the distance between the plinth and the platter on your set up?
rickk OP
15 posts
 
Newbee,

I appreciate your input. It's near impossible to find anecdotal information regarding these tables. The platter was level before I adjusted the springs and after. However, it has never bobbed evenly as you describe. I believe the literature states that it should bob evenly 4 times and then stop. I have not been able to achieve anything close to that experience, but the sonics sound fine to me nonetheless. Sounds like the same thing you're experiencing, except that my table looks like crap with the spring covers sitting unevenly. I guess I'll try setting it up from scratch again and see what happens at 1/8".

Thanks again,
rickk OP
15 posts
 
Hi Bob,

I made sure the springs were in the proper order of strength when I set it up. However, I recall that one of the springs was color-coded white. I am going off memory, but I think I have a white spring instead of the yellow. Possibly that is the problem?

Thanks,
rickk OP
15 posts
 
Ugh! A bent sub-chassis sounds horrible. I hope that's not the problem. Vince, is there some prescribed way to test the integrity of the sub-chassis? I don't recall it looking bent when I had the table taken apart upon purchase and initial set up, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.

In any case, I've recently managed to get the table to have only one spring cover that doesn't fit perfectly (platter at about 1/4 inch and even around the circumference). Sounds fine, but drives me nuts to look at it.

Jakob, I'll see if I can find someone with a scanner. Can't promise anything, though.

Best,
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