Replacement for loricraft power supply

Nobody has any idea ?

First of all, the turntable will "work" without any antecedent power regenerator. So why not enjoy your Garrard while you continue your search for one? Second, I have a hunch you are one of those who were waiting for a Mark Kelly supply, like me. I have been using a Walker Audio Motor Controller, first on my Nottingham tt and lately on my Lenco, with no problems. (I had intended to use Mark's controller on the Lenco, in the belief it would better the Walker, but that idea is out the window.) You could opt for a Walker controller or a VPI SDS. Like Mark's controller, the Walker is single-phase. Too bad about the IC in Mark's build.

I was the one who initiated the thread that lead to the mark Kelly PSU . So a walker controller or VPI SDS will work with Garrard 301 or Thorens TD 124. Simply frustrating waiting for the controller & I m not sure whether the tube version will suffer the same fate
Currently using Raven AC3 so I m fine with LP playback . Was just looking to recreate the famous PRAT of garrard which I heard from a friend syst

I use the Walker controller with my Lenco. It works pretty well but can't say it makes much difference to the sound. Really just using it for the convenience factor. I tried the VPI SDS and had to sell it. Just didn't work for me. The platter speed was all over the place.

Those two will work with any single phase motor. They will "work" with other AC motors, also, but not as well as a dedicated 2- or 3-phase controller.

I am trying to get a response from Mark on the KT88 based controller, price and ETA. Do you know anything?

To get a genuine improvement form the Garrard, it needs to be run at 50 to 47Hz and 200 or so volts. Most power supplys do not offer this option. The Garrard's motor is just not happy with our North American power. It develops some odd harmonics when run here. IMHO, it is a waste of money to buy a 60Hz/120v power supply for the Garrard. Don't get me wrong, the 301 can still sound great and bretter than a lot of high dollar new tables, even with out a PS. Plug it into the wall and enjoy.

Lewn I thk the KT88 psu cost about usd300 more . Delivery date ? Anybody guess
After all the frustrating wait I wanted to purchased a loricraft psu 401. Unfortunately was told that the designer is sick!!' Now I thk loricraft is working on developing a new psu

Dear Steve (Vetterone) thanks for the enlightenment. As a Lenco owner and user, I had heard the scuttlebutt around 50Hz for the Garrard, but never from an authoritative source such as yourself. The Lenco motor has no such idiosyncracy, to my knowledge and based on my experience. I guess/assume Mark's stillborn solid-state controller was going to allow for frequency adjustment, as well as voltage. Obviously, the Walker and the SDS do not allow that. Sorry if I misled anyone.

Andarilu, I kind of agree with you; using the Walker on my Lenco, the main benefit is an observable improvement in speed stability (using the Sutherland Timeline and the KAB strobe as measuring tools). However, I do not hear as much of an improvement in sonics with the Lenco as I did with the Nottingham Hyperspace. I could not believe my ears the first time I hooked up the Walker with the Notts; it was akin to a major turntable upgrade. Not so much with the Lenco, but the speed IS observably more stable, and as you say, switching to 45 is no problemo.

This thread reminded me that I bought a Mark Kelly power supply kit years ago. Mark designed it for the 301/401. I was curious as to how it would compare to the Loricraft. It is not much more than a few circuit boards and a long list of parts to be rounded up. It does convert our power to Euro spec power. Guess I need to find the time to glue it together. Mark was very proud of it at the time. He does know his stuff. Wonder how well it works?

I have heard on a very tweaked lenco (around 360 lb)a dedicated power supply , the improvement in sound was quite noticeable specially in the bass.
Tt was expensive at around 2400 dollars,and big and heavy (around 60 lbs) .I have been told that it's very complicated to make one. You have a frequency generator ,then an amplifier which must give 18W on 220 volts at 50 Hz,and even the powerful amplifier for outside event were smoking after a while.

I understand that ages ago ps audio used to sell P300 which allow voltage & freq adjustment . I wonder whether that can be use effectively

P300s and later versions are still readily available. I've never played with one, but I think someone told me that the frequency adjustment is only a few Hz up and down from a center frequency of 60Hz, so it may not get down to 50Hz. But this is hearsay.

Steve, The solid-state Garrard/Lenco PS that Audioblazer and I had on order from Mark Kelly was to be a completely finished product, as received by the end user. In fact, he built them and recently sent me a photo of a completed unit. But at the last minute, literally, he found that the key IC in his prototype unit failed prematurely, and he is now unwilling to go forward with the product at all. Those of us who had one on order have been offered the option of a tube version, using KT88 output tubes. The latter is also far along in development and build, according to Mark.

Out of curiosity, what advantage would a tubed power supply offer over a solid state version? I was thinking this might be a viable option for my 401. It seems to cover all the bases, and it's relatively inexpensive. Has anyone an opinion?

Since this is out in public, I probably should respond.

Firstly, let it be said that I am very aware that I have not delivered what I promised.

When I went into this I had built a number of controllers using the "T" amp architecture and felt confident that I could do so again. I failed to predict the impact of Tripath going out of business: all my attempts to find a suitable solid state subsitute have failed.

I am also keenly aware that I have stretched people's patience with the time these attempts took and with my poor communication. Some of this was unavoidable due to health issues, some I brought on myself. When I finally called it quits on Friday it brought on a mixture of bitter disappointment that I had failed yet again and huge relief that I'd finally walked away.

The KT88 design has none of these issues: it is simply a marriage of the front end of the new controller with the power output stage of the first controller I designed almost 15 years ago. Both halves work well and I know I can make them play nice together. I now approach benchwork with alacrity rather than the dread and anxiety that characterised recent times.

Regarding the frequency and voltage issues: as Morgan Jones has said, the Garrard motor's winding inductance is barely adequate for 50Hz operation, yet it can become noisy at 60 Hz. Similarly, it can become noisy at higher voltages but can lose dynamics at lower voltages. Some people prefer high levels of drag loading (grease bearing, eddy brake on), some people prefer low (oil bearing, eddy brake off). All three settings interact.

My personal preference is to run at about 53 Hz with the eddy brake fully on, adjust voltage to get close to correct speed then trim the speed using the frequency adjustment. YMMV, my aim is to provide a device which allows you to find your preferred operational points and which then retains them.

I will not discuss delivery and price issues here, the mods don't like it. If you are on the list you'll get an email when my transformer guy gets back to me.

Mark, Sorry to have let the cat out of the bag, as it were. There was no intent on my part to embarrass you in any way. In fact, I admire you for not going ahead with the SS controller, if you had doubts about its long term reliability.

No problem Lew, I'm old enough and ugly enough to take responsibility for what I have (or in this case, have not) done.

Hi,
Just wanted to add that there is a long running thread on lenco heaven focused on a DIY speed controller design. I have an order in for one of the boards but have no idea when they'll actually ship. I believe the design is complete and now it's just a question of working out the logistics.

Various clientele of ours have recommended the following power supplies to compliment the Garrard 301. The Loricraft power supply I have used with positive results to compliment our Garrard 301 Statement model but as for the others listed below, I cannot attest or vouch for personally, although some appear promising.

Powertron 5900
Martin Bastin Wave Mechanic (several known variables, model unknown)
Ben Duncan Pure Cycle AC Power Supply
Sound Carrier Universal Turntable Power Supply
Mark Kelly (model?)

As for the 50Hz 200v (+/-) configuration, my experience is similar to that of Vetterone and others in that I believe a certain advantage exists characteristically although in terms of bench measurements, it is unclear to me to what extent the motor torque profile, residual operating vibration and "harmonics" are affected in comparison to the motors 60Hz winding configuration. As with many things, the final choice may be subjective and depend upon the users personal experience in his or hers system.

I bought in ebay some months ago an old Loricraft Power supply for abuot 500 $. It was so old that when I asked Loricraft about it, they could hardly remember wether they had made it or not (finally they said they had). It works perfectly, makes his job. But when I opened it I realised that it is just a power satbiliser, maybe with good components but nothing else. And that is the question, the Garrard 301 works well directly plugged in, the question is that owed to the age of all them, and the pass of the years, some are not very stable, but in my humild oppinion they need nothing else than a power stabiliser.

I have heard a dedicated valve power supply on a refurbished lenco and I have clearly heard the improvement in sound.Jean Nantais is working on a lenco power supply.

Chris, Is there such a thing as a discrete "60 Hz" winding on the Garrard 301 motor? Did not know that.

Farancon, What is your definition of a "power stabilizer"? Are you talking about an AC line filter, or an AC regenerator, or what? Thanks. There really is a consensus of informed opinion that suggests there is something to be gained by being able to control line frequency and voltage, so as to get the G301 motor to operate with minimal vibration while preserving max torque and speed stability. I do not own a 301, but the argument has a parallel with respect to my Lenco idler as well. To be sure, you are quite correct in saying that such a device is not at all necessary to use a 301 (or a Lenco). It's just frosting on the cake but very tasty frosting for sure.

Re: discrete 60 Hz winding on the garrard motor.

No such bunny, the motor is a standard issue twin coil shaded pole motor. The two coils can be connected in series (240V) or in parallel (120V). I assume Chris is referring to the parallel configuration as the 60 Hz configuration since 60 hz and 120V go together everywhere except Japan. With a controller, of course, you can choose to run in either configuration at any frequency.

Lewm, the appropriate voltage range may be set using the links at the terminals located directly on the Garrard 301's motor housing where the power connection is made. The factory operating ranges state 100/130v (60Hz) or 200/250v (50Hz) configurations (with the appropriate diameter motor pulley). Throughout their production years, more variants of the Lenco L75 motors exist than do the Garrard 301. (I mention this only because I see you own a modified Lenco idler drive).

I´ll try to explain in my poor technical English (poorer than my English actually). It has two parts: an output voltage stabiliser & a frequency controller. If it´s not well explained, please let me know and I´ll try to describe it.

To put this matter to rest:

The Garrard controllers are shipping as of today.

Thank you for your patience.

Actually, there are no variations on the Lenco L75 motor that I know about, but I could be wrong. Perhaps other Lenco tt's (other than the L75) would use different motors as a matter of course. I look forward to receiving my Kelly controller in the near future, with some excitement and interest. Of course, as I told Mark, I think of his product as a Lenco Motor Controller.

Lew, Yes, indeed variations of the Lenco L75 motor exist - a 60Hz /110v version (slightly smaller spindle taper / typ. green tinted coil tape) commonly referred to as the American version and the European 50Hz/60Hz-110v/220v motor (slightly larger spindle taper) which the coils (yellow tinted tape) may be configured in series or parallel to run at either line frequency. Rumored was a rare third version, of which the specifications I am not familiar with, if it exists at all.

Chris, I would not have counted the capacity to take different input AC voltages and frequencies as a difference in the motor per se. But I surely agree that those variations are said to exist.

Anybody has listen to the KT88 version PSU by Mark Kelly ? What's your verdict