If the cantilever is bent to the right, seen from the front, you cannot explain it with too high friction in the tonearm.
If it would so, the cantilever should be bent to the other side, to the left side! The grove pulls the needle to the inside of the platter, and if the tonearm doesn’t want to follow, it will be bent to the left.
A bended cantilever to the right should have another problem, maybe a way too low antiscating force, but I can’t explain it in that way.
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My first Well Tempered was the Record Player that I bought in about 2000. Very interesting table, and i learned the basics of setting up a WT on it. I moved on from it to a Teres when a remarkable opportunity occurred. The a few years back I came across a Well Tempered Reference locally and I snapped it up.
It is an interesting table, that is awesome in some aspects, and less than exciting to use in others. The arm is relatively easy to adjust, but setting up overhang is a royal pain in the butt. Otherwise all the other techniques for setting up a WT held true for it. One thing about arm set up. I was always conservative on how deep I set the paddle. I would start with the maybe 1/4" of the paddle submerged and then i would gradually lower it till I found the level of stability and dampening I wanted. I ran several cartridges on it and never skewed a cantilever. I ran a Koetsu Urushi Tsuguru, ZYX 4D, Ortofon A90, Audio Technica OC9 III, and Ikeda 9 Kawami on it.
Aside from setting up overhang, I found it irritating that the feet could not be leveled. I also thought the motor and the fact that it had no speed control options to be an irritant. Supposedly LP Gear sold a new belt for them that was the best option, but my WTR always ran a tad fast. I always came across other opinions that the corian base was actually rang more than the MDF stacks in the Classic design. Sure it was pretty as could be for a 1990’s era table, but all that engineered material still rang.
All in all I liked the table. But when it came time to gather my monies and buy a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse I sold the Well Tempered Reference and did not miss it at all.
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An old thread but one comment needs to be corrected, because two statements there are completly wrong:
Vicdamone wrote:
The carbon Well Tempered arms were sand filled which made them slightly heavier than the metal arms. There are various arm tower designs which in the end do the job.
This is not the case:
The Carbon Well Tempered Reference tonearm was NOT filled with sand!
It was a lighter design!
I know this very well because I had the 9" Reference arm on my WT Reference but I received a unique 10" carbon armtube for my WT Signature to replace its stainless-steel armtube! This custommade 10" armtube again had no sand inside the tube!
Sand was used in the early WT Classic tonarm as well as in the Signature tonearm. (as well as in the later tonearms with golfball-silicone bearings)
After I had the armtube of the Signature arm replaced with the new non-sandfilled carbon armtube it sounded better!
Regarding the newer golfball versions:
I never liked them, they weren't that sophisticated for a precise setup.
I think that the Reference and Signature where the peak of WT tonearm design
BUT:
having used both for years I had to realize that despite the very nice sound:
!!! My Well Tempered tonearms bent cantilevers of cartridges !!!
I started from the beginning to use thinner silicon-fluid for damping which Mr. Brakemeier, designer of the amazing Apolypt turntable recommended to use
(he also recommended ZYC cartridges which I agree, they were a perfect match). So the lets call it bearing friction was for sure lower than with the thicker orig. silicone fluid.
But all my cartridges after a period of max. 500 hours developed "bent cantilevers":
Seen from the front this bent was towards the right side, i.e. outer groove of the record. This happened because the resistance/friction of the silicone was still too high.
I killed a Koetus Urushi Tsugaru, a Urushi Wazima as well as two expensive ZYX cartridges.
Too bad.
I would never again use a WT tonearm, too expensive considering the damage done to those cartridges.
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Back to the WWT Signature Turntable!!!
I snapped one of the fishing lines holding the arm in the silicone bath. I called the distributors mentioned above and finally took it into a rep -- The new Best Buy's of Atlanta. A new life, a new day, will keep the community posted.
WTR cartridge, suggest Benz, Grado or Dyanavector (on lower end TT's)
Mcshiv |
Yeah, but 8 power tubes for only 60w! Double that for two channels. I didn't ask Elliot why he was giving up the Atma-Sphere line. I know he liked the Joule products a lot, but that was a while back. |
I had the Atma-Sphere M-60's in the system for a couple of years on loan from a friend. Lovely sounding amps for sure. Ralph's audio gear makes music.
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I love Elliot. Bought his demo Atma-Sphere M-60's right as he was giving up the line, when he still had the storefront. A really principled, ethical guy. |
Bdp24.
I knew of Brooks Berdan but never used his services, so I cannot compare his work with Elliot's. In today's world, Elliot seems to have the WWT under control. Its kind of a love/hate relationship. He hates to set them up, but then always says ... "when set up properly, the WWT is one of the best out there, surpassing tables costing much, much more." And besides ... you really couldn't find a cooler person than Elliot to deal with. |
Oregonpapa: As Elliot is within driving distance of you, that means Brooks Berdan (R.I.P.) also was. Did you prefer Elliot's work to that of Brooks, when he was alive? Brian Berdan, who trained by his father in turntable set-up (Brooks' claim to fame, of course), now takes care of many of Brooks' long-time customers at his new shop in Pasadena, Audio Elements. |
This is in response to the best cartridge for WTT
All my research shows that a Benz or Grado work well.
Mohan |
Hi, Breezer ...
Yes, I removed the rubber feet years ago. The table rests on little donut shaped dampers, and in each "hole" rests a tungsten carbide ball bearing. Underneath the "ball bearing" feet, is two slabs of marble with damping material sandwiched between the layers. Then, it rests on a custom rack. Three 1/4" plywood boards come together to make up each shelf ... with more of the damping material between the layers. Its finished off really well ... and it is spiked through the carpet and into a raised wood foundation. It sounds great! |
How do you place it? Did you change the small rubber feets? What kind of base or table do you use under it?
Some users should have changed the rubber feets against spikes and place it on thick slate base. Oder like plywood plate... |
I've had the original WWT in my system since they first came out. I bought it new. Over the years, I've added several mods. The Brass clamp for the tonearm well was a significant improvement. Rewiring the arm with Cardas wire was another. If you own this table, a custom belt from Originlive.com is an absolute must. The WWT when properly set up, with a few mods as described, will hold its own with tables FAR, FAR more expensive. They're a bargain on the used market. Just be sure you have a WWT guru available to set it up properly. Lucky for me, I have Elliot Midwood of Acoustic Image within driving distance. http://www.acousticimage.com/ |
They have distribution worldwide, find your European distributor of WTL on their official website: http://www.welltemperedlab.net/welltemperedlab/where-to-buy/
I have asked same question as the new Well Tempered LTD to earm now available separately from turntable and cheap as chips:
http://www.welltemperedlab.net/welltemperedlab/products/ltdtonearm/
Any feedbacks about it ? |
Oh, these are very good news. Now we (and i) just need someone in Europe!
Any other cheaper cartridge recommendation for about 1000 USD (new or even used)?
My WTS is now not playing, i have sold my DV and London cartridges and would like to reactivate the nice Well. |
David on the West Coast and others interested in the WT Signature limited Edition,
Mine is not for sale. i am the humble person that bought it from Julian Price.
However there are two new distributors, one in Canada (charisma) and one in the US (the Dynavector Distributor) that have taken over from the useless Stanalog. They are far more responsive. Charisma will send you a manual for the Signature LTD EDITION, in a heart beat. Toffco-usa will help all WT owners, and even help you find reputable repair shop in your area.
There is hope again! |
Dear Frend
If you ever want to sell this turntable, please contact me
Regards
David Spry |
Julian!!!
I found you again. This is Mohan Shivdasani. Sorry for the less than spectacular lunch in a town, on the Alababe border, that I cannot remember. How are you?
I still have the table and the Benz, and it has given me many hours of beautiful sound. Unfortunately I have forgotten your knowledge on fine tuning the arm.
I hope your well. I will try and reach out to you through Audiogon to catch-up.
Mohan |
Breezer,
Yes, I have a Signature...sublime sound. |
It's true the higher up the dollar ladder you go with a Well Tempered Turntable the nicer they get. Still, I would challenge anybody to actually tell the difference in models, including your Signature, under normal listening conditions and volumes. As a huge fan of the product I envy your find. Very nice indeed.
Bill Firebaugh once assembled a table out of junk materials at a trade show. He used a golf ball for the arm paddle. I'm told he felt it was a better shape and texture than the original flat paddle.
The carbon Well Tempered arms were sand filled which made them slightly heavier than the metal arms. There are various arm tower designs which in the end do the job.
IMO the most significant upgrades were the black platter, large reference clamp, and the replacement for the original square motor. The Reference arm was simply easier to adjust.
Mr. Firebaugh proved that a Well Tempered even made of junk will better many mechanical tables costing much more. |
I am very sorry but I have just noticed your post for the first time.
I actually owned two Well Tempered Signature turntables for several years. Sold the last one in 2005.
Astonishingly good tables.
If you are still interested - send an e-mail through A'gon.
Julian |
"01-02-12: Dover
I owned the original Well Tempered years ago, and sold and set up quite a few over the years. The latest golfball version is a joke. It is simply an exercise of how to reduce the manufacturing costs and claim it's better. I would rather have the original. By the way they released the Well Tempered player - a cheaper version of the original, and that was junk as well. The Signature is the best by miles, followed in my view by the original."
I owned an original "classic" WTT and then a WTR.. That was quite a while back. I now own the Well Tempered Amadeus and can assure you and the rest of the world that the WTA is head and shoulders above the old designs. The thing just gets out of the way and makes music with little or no sensation that it's coming from a turntable.
Older/used Well Tempered products have become something akin to "white elephants". I see people asking close or even more for them than it would cost to acquire the new WTA - and that is a bad deal. Add to that the fact the the older tables are not supported by the company - Stanalog - that acquired the rights to produce/service the old stuff.. BAD DEAL ALL THE WAY AROUND. |
Original WT came out mid/late 80's looked like Classic. I'm very rusty but from memory models were
Well Tempered ( original ) - there were some upgrades, a dished platter and clamp came out and then from memory a black platter.
The Well Tempered Record Player - this was a dumbed down cheap version with smaller plinth and simplified arm.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=209836&page=5
Well Tempered Classic - most closely resembles the original. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=80038.0
Well Tempered Reference - similar to Classic & original but had 4 layer corian plinth.
http://www.stereophile.com/turntables/899wtt
Well Tempered Signature
Hope this helps. |
Hi Dover, what is the original one? Can you post any link or picture, maybe date of manufacturing? Maybe even per private mail. Thanks very much! |
I owned the original Well Tempered years ago, and sold and set up quite a few over the years. The latest golfball version is a joke. It is simply an exercise of how to reduce the manufacturing costs and claim it's better. I would rather have the original. By the way they released the Well Tempered player - a cheaper version of the original, and that was junk as well. The Signature is the best by miles, followed in my view by the original. |
Happy New Year to everyone!
Is there any other WT Signature owner here? Or maybe former owner? Any informations, recommendations, etc? |
May i invite you to this new group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/WellTemperedLab/ |
Any comparisons with the new Well Tempered tables with the Golf ball? Rave reviews but are they really better than the old tables? I had a Well Tempered Classic that I foolishly sold! |
Thanks for your answer. After some monthes with the London Reference Cartridge mounted in it, that was really very good, i will mount the DV XV-1s this weekend. |
This turntable was indeed made only in a limited quantity of 50 units worldwide, the included tonearm was made to match this turntable but could be purchased by order with a different base. It was the best turntable and tonearm Well Tempered ever made. The Reference was great too but had a different platter (more interior damping). The Signature tonearm was 10" and stainless steel, suitable also for heavier moving coils, the Reference arm only 9" long and lightweight carbon structure. Stay with your Signature, it was their best. |
I used a Marigo modded, full loaded WT in the mid 90's, when I remember right, I used Lyra and Benz cartridges. I think, a cartridge which does not reflect a lot of energy into the Arm would be my choice today, Zyx Airy 3 for example. |
No, I think you're probably on your own rocking that table. Thats not to say I'm not slightly envious.
I considered a DV XV-1s for my Well Tempered Ref, but ultimately decided against going with a cart that expensive. FWIW I'm really enjoying a Zu 103 prime on my WTR.
Do you have some pics posted of your sig? |
hi, is there nobody who have any experiences or informations? |
