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Thread: audio-technica ATP-12T - phonomac modifications

  1. #1
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default audio-technica ATP-12T - phonomac modifications

    To conclude my Garrard 401 project, I always intended on having the flexibility of a 2 arm approach.
    The TT already has an (12") SME 3012 fitted and the search was on for a 9" arm to give a different presentation.
    I opted for the audio-technica ATP-12T which is in-effect nearer a 10" arm, and was given the heads up that
    phonomac (Angus) of this parish offered a comprehensive upgrade package for such an arm.

    So a slightly tired example was found and sent to Angus to fettle his magic on.

    list of work completed

    • completely dismantle arm and clean all parts
    • re-ink VTF scale on arm tube
    • re-wire arm with KAB Superflex
    • fit arm tube damping inserts
    • clean vertical motion bearings in ultrasonic bath
    • install ceramic hybrid pillar bearings
    • re-assemble and adjust bearings
    • make mounting bracket for arm clip and Jelco lift
    • make heavy stainless steel counterweight for use with SPU-type cartridges


    When it came back from Angus it looked so beautiful, his attention to detail was impressive.
    Along with a very fair price.
    So a huge thanks to Angus for top notch service, communication and obviously his exemplary craftsmanship.

    So how does this lovely looking arm sound?
    Early impressions... firstly it handles those heavy SPUs just wonderfully. The first thing that struck me is it's a cleaner, slightly faster arm then the SME 3012.
    Pulls detail out of the grooves very well indeed and has well controlled textured bass. This lovely thing is a very satisfying arm to handle indeed.
    The whole arm delivers authority and balance from the groove.

    I can't wait for further listening this coming week.

    Many thanks to montesquieu for helping fit this arm, it wasn't as straight forward as first hoped, as the Russ Collinson Shindo style
    plinth had to be modified in the arm base cavity to accommodate the mounting bolts. Tom's experience of such things was impressive and
    he navigated the curve ball with calmness, he didn't curse once!
    If I had done it, I may have taken a mallet to it and the air would have been very deep blue. Top work indeed sir!

    Some pictures below. Sorry not the greatest (iPhone)







    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Nice job there Adam. Looks very smart.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    thanks Geoff, looking like a proper instrument to get the most out of my collection now.
    Last edited by WESTLOWER; 30-04-2018 at 10:23.
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  4. #4
    montesquieu Guest

    Default

    Was a pleasure and not too much hassle really. It's closer to a 10in arm rather than a 9in, hence the complications caused by having to have it further back on the armboard but no sweat we got there!

    My AT1503 (same arm essentially) also modified by Phonomac says hello:


  5. #5
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WESTLOWER View Post
    thanks Grant, looking like a proper instrument to get the most out of my collection now.
    you mean geoff
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

  6. #6
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    you mean geoff
    doh!
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  7. #7
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    Phonomac has been casting a spell over tonearms for a while now and everything he touches is improved. So ladies/gentleman, don't hesitate to seek his services.

    Your arm looks fantastic on that Garrard. Lovely stuff! Congratulations.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Oct 2014

    Location: SW England

    Posts: 560
    I'm Richie.

    Default

    I saw that arm in his lab when I picked up my Micro Seiki from Angus. He's a great guy and his work is superb.

    Another recommendation from me.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Suffolk, UK

    Posts: 1,473
    I'm Paul.

    Default

    Very nice! What I like about the Garrards is that you can have several different owners of the same TT and all with a very different setup, depending on how they wanted to develop it. I love looking at others peoples Garrards to see how they have done it.
    ~Paul~

  10. #10
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    the arm looks lovely,i hope he can do the biz on my new arm once im used to how it sounds now.
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

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