Purite Audio's' Monarch' Turntable

[keiths]

What interests me most is the new quartz chip.

Me too. As far as I know, the techie modifiers to date have more or less left the electronics alone (power supply excepted of course) and have concentrated on the mechanics (bearing, platter, feet etc). Maybe it's this overlooked aspect that may provide the next big performance boost...

[freem]

Thanks for the link Paul, I have tried a couple of mats on it, but as Rob from Inspire told me, the bare platter sounds best.
I remember preferring the bare copper of my old TW ,anyhoo the New TT is super, just as Rafael says in the review, the speed stability I remember from my old SP10 but a much richer tone.
Keith.

Keith how does it compare with the TW Raven you had.

[purite audio]

Freem Hi, impossible to say, everything has changed in my system since the TW, only the speakers remain the same and they will change soon,
Re the Monarch, platter plinth, power supply and bearing are all completely new, the control circuit has been improved ,Inspire have done a cracking job.
Keith.

[MCRU]

Me too. As far as I know, the techie modifiers to date have more or less left the electronics alone (power supply excepted of course) and have concentrated on the mechanics (bearing, platter, feet etc). Maybe it's this overlooked aspect that may provide the next big performance boost...

How would tinkering with the pcb alter anything kind sir, after all that is all that's left after platter, mat, feet, bearing, base plate etc has been changed?

There is the issue of power supply final regulation stage being installed inside the turntable which may prove to be a significant up-grade which I (and my co-designer) are currently on with for my MkII Technics PSU.

[WOStantonCS100]

How would tinkering with the pcb alter anything kind sir...

Huh? Do you mean upgrading components that directly control the rotation of the platter? I look at it this way. You can wear shoes with lots of cushion in them, for a smooth walking experience; or, you can tell your brain to walk lightly and gently. Both would have even more effect. I see changing the power supply as putting on more comfortable shoes. However, if your brain is saying, "Stomp! Stomp!", there's a more fundamental issue. Addressing the control circuit seems, to me, to be getting at the fundamentals. I'm not saying a great psu isn't important. However, if the "real" issue lies in the control circuit, there is only going to be so far one can go. The returns will stop at the limitiations of the control circuit.

[Paul Hynes]

David,

Internal final regulation stages have already been applied to the SL1200 and yes it can be a significant upgrade depending on the quality level of the regulation that is applied.

Biff,

Quite right. The quality of the control circuit is crucial to the performance of the SL1200, however without a really good power supply the control circuitry will not operate at its best level of performance. The two are reliant on each other. Good control circuitry and poor power supply will give mediocre performance just as poor control circuitry and good power supply will give mediocre performance. Attention to both is essential to go the last mile. Fortunately the control circuit design is good in the SL1200.

Generally,

The SL1200 component quality could have been better so there is a lot of scope for upgrading at component level. The quartz crystal is essentially the clock reference for all the timing requirements of the control circuitry. Fitting a new 4.193MHz crystal with tighter frequency tolerance and lower temperature coefficient should be a good upgrade.

Also components do tend to deteriorate with age, particularly electrolytic capacitors and components operating at high temperatures. If you have an old older SL1200 model it would be sensible to replace certain components, especially electrolytic capacitors, taking the opportunity to upgrade at the same time. Just like servicing a car and tuning the engine for optimum performance.

Regards
Paul

[sq225917]

Where does Bob get the 'new' 1210 motors from? Do Technics still supply them as complete motor replacement kits like they used to now that they don't make em anymore?

[purite audio]

Simon H, don't know, but I can ask, when you remove the platter everything looks new an twinkly.
KR Keith.

[jostber]

I read the review on the Inspire Monarch, and it was quite interesting. The review lists these in addition to the Monarch are built on the Technics SL1200:

Timestep Evo
Origin Live (which one?)

and there is also KAB's version. Are there any others doing this?

Brinkmann are one of few other manufacturers who does turntables with Direct Drive motors like the Technics TT's. Anyone checked out these like the Oasis?

http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.p...=oasis&lang=en

They also have a power supply using valves:

http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.p...=roent&lang=en