SP10mk2: OMA Graphite plinth vs.Dobbins plinth

Chris, your Garrard plinth is amazing and i love it pretty much, this design is one of my favorite aesthetically , but it's a different shape and not for SP10 unfortunately (and SP10 is totally different design itself). So don't get me wrong and thanks for your comment.

Lewm, any mods outside of my country is impossible for me, shipping cost too much. I can only do it here (such as recaps etc), but now all original sp10mk2 just works fine and i already find local vendor for recap work in the future if needed. Actually Dobbins plinth (and the price quoted here) is a classic one to fit original sp-10mk2. Removing chassis is another story and different plinth he use for his own Kodo The Beat turntable design at much higher price. What i like about removed chassis is the abbility to use any tonearm with it, with original sp10 chassis it's not always possible with short tonearms as you know. Anyway i'm gonna stick to my Reed "12.

It would be nice to read opinion of OMA graphite late plinth users, seems like it's less popular plinth and different technology, but looks great. Sad that i'm so far away and can't check it myself in real life.

Mr. Deacon it's alwasy nice to read your posts, you're right, forgive my english, i just tried to say that my stand is Heavy and Stable. "Well damped" was incorrect word. It was not specially designed, just a custom build heavy big metal stand with thick glass on top of the sarbothane pads.

As far as i know Teak Wood (which my current plinth is made from) it a good damper along with sarbothane.

Geoffkait, that's interesting point.
Anyway those sarbothane pads are cheap as cheeps and easy to remove.

The main question is still the actual plinth for SP10. Someone like Raul use his SP10 in "naked fashion" and swear it's better. I never tried as i don't have any kind of tonearm pod (and SP10 without plinth looks a bit ugly).

Some plinths are just plinth (teak wood of whatever), but some of them must be a "rocket science" of plinth like those from Dobbins or OMA (according to the price).

It would be nice to look on OMA and Dobbins plinth in user systems on pictures (if someone could share right here).

this is the one from OMA, but it's not the budged single layer version, it's actually double layers plinth (looks great): http://oswaldsmillaudio.com/technics

Well Geoffkait, if you experienced with hemorrhoid cushions you can start your own thread.

We're talking about plinth here, sorry

Hey C, this minus K looks massive.

http://www.minusk.com/content/in-the-news/TheSci_0907.html#indexisolator

David, you are right.
It's a shame that i can't just go and check my SP10 in different plinths.
I'm in another world. This Teak Wood plinth from Thai is virtually unknown, no feedbacks/reviews online, but the guy also made Garrard and Thorens plinth off the same Teak Wood. I don't like the Obsidian one as it's impossible to mount "12inch tonearm on it. My current arms are all "12 inch.

This is a picture of my SP10 in Teak Wood plinth
with Thomas Schick tonearm (i'm currently selling):

https://87.img.avito.st/640x480/1620530187.jpg

Thanks Mosin, the one you have posted reminds me Monarch turntable (which is no other than SP10 motor). Unfortunately not for "12 arm. Anyway SP10 wihtout metal frame is much nices in any plinth and more flexible to tonearm mounting.

Monarch looks really nice on this picture:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNaWHl4mRFE/TtkNQILzxFI/AAAAAAAAD6s/4k1aZ5FkxN8/s1600/shapeimage_18.png

Kodo The Beat turntable in Steve Dobbins plinth also great:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cd/28/30/cd28302908dfed6173dc3e5dd1c88853.jpg

I like the idea of two armboards on the back (Steve Dobbins style):
http://www.xactaudio.com/kodo.php

Steve, what about version for "12 inch tonearms?

I have to link an old thread in my topic:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1256765659&&&/Technics-SP-10-Tonearm-Pod-instead-of-Pl

All about plinth or no plinth (but pod) including comments from Jonathan Weiss (Oswalds Mill Audio) about his graphite slate plinth (best design imho). Nice reading.

Meanwile Technics "plinth" for their new turntable (coming out this winter) looks exactly like electric stove (lol), watch their presentation and sample unit without tonearm in these videos: http://youtu.be/gQoXsvRsLJA
http://youtu.be/nOj9MTlLrG4

Recently discovered another plinth maker with very nice price policy: http://www.acoustand.co.uk/pages/customers-acoustand-plinths-turntables

Has anybody tried ?

Perfect, really looking forward for your feedback about this plinth. Did you get the obsidian style or different design?

Next week i will get my rack for Luxman PD-444 powder coated, it's my own design, super heavy, can't wait to try it.

I have few more Technics SP-20 tutnables and looking at EMT metal rack here i wonder why not use similar custom made racks for my SP-20 or SP-10mk2 instead of traditional plinth? It's some sort of the "nude" style prefered by some a'gon members. But wooden pannel can be installed on top for the deck and for the tonearm. I think this industrial rack looks cool.  

Some more info about EMT 930 / 927 seismic base is here.   

@downunder I wish i could aford the still points for my luxman pd444, tomorrow i'm gonna get my new rack for PD444 from the warehouse. 

With my old SP-10mk2 i use teak wood plinth, this is how it looks. 

@nandric my plinth is actually a frame too, but it looks more massive than Technics obsidian plinth (more room to mount "12 tonearms). I can't remember how many variations of obsidian plinth they made, never tried them, but i have those Audio-Technica 636 pneumatic feet.

Anyway, the idea is to use metal frame like this EMT , why not? 

 

thanks @pryso i like the way it looks too and for that reason i just don't like the obsidian base design aesthetically. 

@nandric 

Chakster, I own Technics SL 1000,mk 2 with Obsidan plinth

but removed the mediocre original feet and put AT pneumatic

 636 footers instead. The plinth is actually a frame (not guitar

box) like Lew's slate plints. The armbase is according to me

also suitable for 12'' tonearms. I use (10'') FR-64 s and there

is sufficient room on the armbase for an larger arm. Waht kind of

 ''Obsidian plinth'' are you referring to?

SH-10b3 - this is what you got? I'm talking about Sh-10b3 as the most common obsidian, i know there are few more variations, but they are very rare. Even the SH-10b3 is about $800+ 

Technics did something wrong with that SH-10b3 if it's not the best match sonically with their SP-10mk2 turntable? Why do we need heavier and bigger custom plywood plinth, is that an upgrade over the stock SH-10B3?  

@dover

They are fragile/brittle and many have cracks/chips.

But what about sonic quality of the b3 and higher models ?



@nandric

So those ’’negative reviews ’’ are written because of those worthless

feet. I was lucky to find those AT 636 pneumatic footers but those

are not easy to get. However Raul owns the bigger kind and my

own the 636....

BTW your new metal racks are also part of your plinth. Deed

you use sand or lead plummet to fill in the tubes? I used the

so called ’’quartz sand’’ for my ’’Copulare’’ rack.

Yes, my racks designed to be filled with sand. My ex AT-636 went to Australia for another SL 1000 mk2 owner. But i have 8 x AT-616 pneumatic footers designed for much higher weight, this model is adjustable. Maybe i will put them under Luxmans to try. TT-101 also waiting for some sort of plinth. I agree that the plinth should not cost more than a turntable (at least for me). 

I can do it locally but the question is:
the SH-10B3 with replaced footers surpass the custom plywood or not ? 

@nandric if you don’t know try this replica of the technics arm board and metal frame: http://www.acoustand.co.uk/collections/tonearm-boards/products/technics-sp10-tonearm-board-insert-fo...

Dust covers are good to have, but my two dust covers for luxman pd444 have been crashed in transit, i don’t use dust covers, i collect dust.

Well, i’m more concerned about the sound quality if there are any benefits of obsidian material over the plywood.

Been working on the project for a friend who has purchased my Technis SP-10mkII with Micro Seiki CU-500 copper mat. He decided to go Obsidian way and i was looking for SH-10B3 plinth for him. Finally i got it and it looks better than i expected in my studio.

Not sure how we can find a dust cover, but he asked me to find one. Must be hard to find. The Obsidian base will be polished by a local guy next week. I think it will be even better than what we have now.

I’ve noticed that we have to make custom armboard, because the Victor UA-7045 tonearm must be mounted 7-12mm lower than the level of the stock armboard to make the arm wand parallel to the platter.

The stock footers will be removed and replaced by mi Audio-Technica AT-616 pneumatic insulators.

@best-groove 

The AT-616 is much bigger in diameter than the older AT-636.
The 616 supports up to 60kg! But the smaller AT-636 support only 36kg max. 

Actualy on those pictures you see the mega rare 2.7kg CU-500, not 1.8kg CU-180 mat. 

SAEC SS-300 is the mat i use along with Micro CU-180 right now on my two Luxman PD-444 turntables. Saec weight is 870g, but CU-180 weight is 1.8kg. Actually even 1.8kg is too much for my Luxman, so the SAEC is better if the torque of the turntable is not so high as on the Technics DD. 

Also the price for SAEC mats are much better/cheaper than for Micro Seiki mat. SAEC is a champ of the mats in my opinion, the typical price tag is under $400 (depends on condition), but the Micro CU-180 price tag is under $800 nowadays. The Micro has its luxury look (copper) and it must be scratch free and clean, the SAEC is just black.   

I've seen a technical test of the most popular mats in the old Japanese magazine from the 80's. The SAEC is closer to the Micro CU-500 than to CU-180. I think all 3 mats are oustanding! Some of them just too heavy for certain turntables. Technics can hande all 3 mats with ease, even the superheavy CU-500!

You are lucky, because ugly looking and scratched CU-180 goes on ebay for much higher prices nowadays. I sold my spare last year for $750 to another audiogon member, but it was MINT- condition, this is the picrure. It’s nearly impossible to find Micro Seiki CU-180 "as new" without scratches and dirt on it.

I paid neraly $1k myself for my CU-500 in mint condition, it was more than 5 years ago and i’ve never seen another for sale! Even 5 years ago the CU-180 was about $500 minimum.

I am not interested in replicas as i am not sure the gunmental of the 70’s is the same as that copper of today. Anyway, i prefer the original products.

Surely there is a chance to buy some nice products cheaper once in a year or so, but i’m talking about the average price tags, vintage things like that only goes up in the price in time. It’s a good investment @best-groove

My friend decided to make a custom armboard for his Obsidian Plinth. The reason is that the original armboard position is still too high for Victor UA-7045 tonearm to make the arwand parallel to the record surface. I don't know why Technics made it like that (it's very bad). The Drive is lowered down in the Obsidian Plinth and tonearm must be lowered down too, but it's not. For example the Victor US-7045 must be lowered down in the armboard for 7-12mm. Victor has VTA on the fly, but even at the lowest position it is not low enough. Here is the Victor UA-7045 on temporary armboard that will be replaced with a custom made armboard soon.   

What about the size Tenuto?
Micro Seiki fits in (for Technics SP10mkII platter) like it was made for it, not like other mats which can be smaller or bigger in diameter. Micro Seiki is the best for Technics owners. The CU-500 is much thicker than CU-180

Here is my CU-500:

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/33703549_2237102359641252_5933127093243084800_n.jpg?_n...

@best-groove

I see your SP10 II and from the picture I recognized some identical images on ebay ........ it is you who had for sale on ebay until yesterday the mat Saec 300?

Yep, i just sent you PM here on audiogon about your request for the footers, check it.
Saec mat went to Miami today. 

@downunder

The Tenuto fits the SP10 mk3 and Pioneer P3 fine. Not as perfect as the cu-180 - but at least you can remove it without the need for suction cups :-).

I simpy flipped over the entire SP-10mkII to remove CU-500 or CU-180 easily without any suction cups.

It sounds excellent as well - have not compared to the CU-180 thou. the one I have is 2.2kg, so is heavier than the cu-180 - same weight as the CU-500.

CU-500 weight is 2.7kg, so it’s heavier.

Hi Chakster - I would love your CU-500 or another cu-180 but the cu-180 is up to 3 times more expensive and CU-500 3-6 times more expensive than the Tenuto.

Hey, yep, but you never know what you can buy on secondhand market. However, as i stated earlier, i’m more fascinated by the classic japanese high-end (especially in mint- condition).

I can only use my CU-180 on Luxman PD-444 and it’s a perfect match for the Luxman platter, no wonder, because the Luxman was made by Micro Seiki. Only 3 silicone or rubber dots muct be placed between the CU-180 and the platter to rise up the mat a little bit. The thickness of the CU-500 would be better match, but the CU-500 is extremely heavy for the motor of the Luxman PD-444.

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37422426_2339189316099222_7361459351321575424_n.jpg?_n...

@ferrari275 you said you tried the slim CU-180 (1.8kg), but try the thick CU-500 (2.7kg) if you want to compete with the AF (3.6kg). Or simply add SAEC SS-300 in this competition. Micro Seiki made comparison chart with various mats of that era, the closest to CU-500 (according to their measurements) is the SAEC SS-300. This is very interesting, because the SAEC is a speciall alloy of only 870g in total. 

I have the original box and original manual for my Micro Seiki CU-180 which i am using now. There is a sticker on the box with model number and they call it "MICRO GOLD DISC CU-180". The manual is in japanese. 

Here is more about gunmetal:
Gunmetal is a type of bronze — an alloy of copper, tin and zinc, originally used chiefly for making guns!  Proportions vary by source, but 88% copper, 8–10% tin, and 2–4% zinc is an approximation. Gunmetal, which casts and machines well and is resistant to corrosion from stean and salt water is used to make steam and hydraulic castings, valves, gears, statues, and various small objects, such as buttons. It has a tensile strength of 221 to 310 MPa, a specific gravity of 8.7, a Brinell hardness of 65 to 74, and a melting point of around 1,000 degrees Celsius.

@best-groove I used a common copper cleaning product and an old toothbrush because the mat is not exactly smooth but has micro grooves like vinyls
I insisted a lot and performed more passes but in the end the result was excellent.

After polishing, with a spray I gave a couple of light shredded transparent varnish.

Here is another copper cleaning spray
https://www.flitz.com/brass-copper-tarnish-remover/ 

That company is USA offering many different solution to clean metal (guns, knifes etc), i think some stuff works well for metal parts of the turntables etc 

Deal all, please have a look

This a new producs from OMA
Cast Iron plinth for Technics SP-10R  

Link published on https://twitter.com/oswaldsmill 

Anyone can comment about sound properties of the Cast Iron plinth and this material in general ? New video appeared here, watch at 3:55

I am thinking about DIY iron cast plinth for my Victor TT-101.
The OMA is the only company that use Cast Iron for plinth, and this is their next one after graphite plinth.

These people are totally crazy; believes that turntable owners who want a plinth are all as rich as Rockefeller.

At least OMA has taste, many manufacturers in the same segment does not have a taste in my opinion, at least their designers. 

And if you will look at the prices for OMA plinth on the first page then you will see it's no more than others asking for high-end plinth ($2-3k). Still too much for us, but quite OK for many audiophiles. 

@best-groove

 I'm skeptical about reading all these things.

Why? What you mean? 
In my opinion Cast Iron looks great, i have no idea is it better than graphite slate or wood, but i know for sure that Cast Iron in Russia is cheap. A friend made this decorative cedar bump for my balcony, it is a replica of the original 1956 missing bump, and it is made of Cast Iron. So i think i can ask him to make a Cast Iron ring for Victor TT-101 or even a small plinth (i hope it is not expensive).   

Maybe it is not 100% Cast Iron, i don’t know what is inside. But the Cast Iron plinth for SP-10R is their next plinth after great success of the Pennsylvanian Graphite Slate plinth which i like a lot (visually).

Super heavy weight is not what i’m looking for, but aesthetically OMA plinth are so nice. For the round turntable like Victor TT-101 or Denon DP-80 similar shape of the plinth is nice. For two tonearms it is probably overkill. 

Actually for TT-101 we only need a small ring to support the drive and a some kind of toneam pod, so it is not as big and heavy as the huge OMA plinth for Technics.

All i know is that Cast Iron is cheap in my area, i’m pretty sure it’s cheaper than wood.

BTW (slightly off topic) : regarding the arm pod i just noticed that one of them has been made from Phenolic Tube, it was mentioned in this review. Anyone familiar with this material ?