The Mike New Technics Bearing

[REM]

...is here, at last, and even I managed to fit it! (only needed one call to Mr. Cawley for a bit of clarification).
So, how does it sound? Well, three sides in and without any fine tuning (rechecking VTA or re-leveling the deck as you're supposed to but I'm just to impatient for any of that stuff yet) I have to say this is fan-bloody-tastic. Everything is just so much clearer yet easier to listen to, instruments seem to exist in their own space, dynamically everything is in a different league, so much so I can back off the volume without losing any details.
This is amazing, check back later, time for more choonz

[Alex_UK]

Sounds ace, Ralph, enjoy!

(I can hear Marco's cheque book rustling from here! )

[REM]

(I can hear Marco's cheque book rustling from here! )

Hehe, come on Marco, you know you want to, there is no escape.

Bloody 'eck, it's a bit good is this

[chris@panteg]

I think Marco already had one on order !

Nice one Ralph ' i thought it was going to be a bit special ' anyone else got there's yet ' Martin perhaps !

[Marco]

Haha... Nice one, Ralph - glad it's hitting the spot for ya

This is where the Techy really takes off!

I'm booked in at Dave's on the 28th, so once mine is fitted, expect a full write-up, folks - and I'll be going into plenty of detail with this one

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

Hi Marco

Look forward to reading that ' i am sure it will be far more eloquent than the haphazardous affair i concocted .

[MartinT]

I received my Mike New bearing this morning and have installed it. No real problems with the installation except that care is required and good light vital. You certainly don't want to drop any of the 18 small pieces of wire that need trimming back onto the circuit board. Some PCB connectors need to be removed to gain good access. Nothing really to get worried about but you do need to work carefully around that gorgeous motor assembly. Also note that the earth tag needs replacing tightly if you have a TimeStep PSU installed (surely a prerequisite).

The Mike New bearing up close:


Installed in my SL-1210:


50 hours of running-in are recommended so these are my preliminary thoughts only. There is a lightness of touch and real shape to tiny cues that make music real: cymbal, bells and other percussive sounds. Positioning in space and focus around vocals are more life-like. The structure of the sound is firmer without there apparently being any more bass, and dynamics are even more in evidence. Lots of small detail enrich the experience.

The Technics does even more of what it does well: tonal neutrality, micro- and macro-dynamics, strong and extended bass, wide soundstage, very low noise floor. I'm also relieved that my other phono components (Jelco arm, Whest phono amp) have gelled together to give a performance that is more than their sum.

My AT33PTG suddenly sounds more like my Denon DL-160 in terms of musicality and sheer enthusiasm, a good thing, while still retaining its phenomenal detail and extraordinary suppression of surface noise.

I'll report further after more running-in and listening.

[chris@panteg]

Superb photo's and write up Martin ' my word it does look the bis

Happy listening .

[Griffster]

I'm still right at the beginning of my Techie-tweaking journey (things move more slowly when you're forever chasing around after a 2.5yr old little boy with lots of energy!) but this mod certainly sounds like it need to be added to the "essentials" list.

Looking forward to others experiences with great interest.

Sean
(Junior Techie-Tweaker).

[Ammonite Audio]

I have today taken the plunge and ordered the Mike New bearing for my Technics!