Ad finitum...

[Si74]

Ok, they still look crap but standing the motor of the base makes me wonder about noise issues.
In all honesty if I can ever getting round to making one that looks like shop bought, I'll probably flog
my Oracle. Unfortunately my collection of top arms and cartridges had to go ( boringly one has to eat)
but the latest couple with the wta and an old Goldring I found in the drawer really have me playing more vinyl
than is usual!













No sure I could be arsed with all this to redo the belter photos pita:-(

[Si74]

Bit of a revelation re the last two pictured.
The tattier looking brown one was only given the arm & cartridge to make sure it sounded ok compared to my 'good one' in the last photo.
Sounds way better to my ears and the differences in construction are minimal.

scabby one? has:

Different arm board material
A heavier base filled with some sand
The pillars (read threaded rod) supports are clamped directly to the wooden base
as opposed to passing thru a metal plate screwed to the base
the halved 'superballs' between layers point down instead of up from the base
it sits on heavy plastic levelling feet as opposed to threaded spikes

the cream one has a better bearing and a quieter motor, I haven't even tightened the armbase up
and yet I knew within two bars of the first album that the brown one sounded better than the other one

even tempted to take the Kuzma/Koetsu of the Oracle and juggle things so it can play thru my good
phonostage, ah sod it, too much faff, having to much fun just listening

[Si74]

Different arm board material and a tweaking to the height of the motor and strength of the rubber band
have closed the gap. The rubber band replaces the metal spring that pulls the idler against the drive
shaft of the motor.
Weird how such things alter the sound. Must get around to trying the hanging weight and pulley mod

By the way, just realised I should probably posted all this stuff in the picture your idler drives bit?

[struth]

Different arm board material and a tweaking to the height of the motor and strength of the rubber band
have closed the gap. The rubber band replaces the metal spring that pulls the idler against the drive
shaft of the motor.
Weird how such things alter the sound. Must get around to trying the hanging weight and pulley mod

By the way, just realised I should probably posted all this stuff in the picture your idler drives bit?

do you want it moved there Simon?

[Si74]

If you think it would be more appropriate Struth, that would be fine.
I was in a posting frenzy and don't want accused of hogging the place