Hello From a Newbie

[RobbieGong]

Hi all,

Decided to join up as everytime I searched Google regarding any hifi related query I had it lead me here and to some fairly useful threads.
Basic info is that I have the following

Technics SL1210 MK5g with Isonoe Feet, KAB fluid damper and the Superb Ortofon 2M Black (Best MM in my opinion)
Mission 752 Freedoms - Love em !
Technics SU VX800 Amplifier 2 x 130pw, Professional Oxygen Free Capacitors and Transformers - Lovely clean and musical sound, will drive literally any speakers with ease, best amp I've owned
Marantz CD63 KI Signature
Technics SH8055 Eq
Technics ST GT650 Tuner
Technics RS TR575 Cassette Deck
Sony CD recorder

I listen to a lot of '70's classic soul including Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Billy Paul etc and Classic Reggae including Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor etc

My system is an obsession particulartly getting more out of my SL1210
MK5g, I've put a deposit down on a Mike New Bearing, will then look to add the Timestep PSU.
Anyway, straight in with a question - One problem I currently have is moderately warped records. I've heard that the Outer Rings are good (by ttweights) which I really want to try. Has anyone tried one on the Technics deck with the fluid damper in place as I've heard it wont fit as the damper is in the way. I'm really hoping this is not the case as I do not want to remove the damper due to it's benefits at the same time I must find a way around resolving the warps and enjoing the benefits of an outer ring with a weight towards a better interface between record and platter. 2M Black with it's Shibata stylus is also very VTA critical. PLEASE HELP, any advise, experience will be much appreciated.
Many Thanks
Rob

[Alex_UK]

Hi Rob, and welcome to AoS.

You've certainly found the right place for modified Techie turntables, so I'm sure there will be lots of interesting threads for you to contribute and enjoy by the sound of it.

Regards your query - how many records have you got that need "flattening" - there are machines available, but I can't seem to find anyone that does a professional flattening service. Marco (the site owner) was looking at buying one a while back and offering it maybe - not sure where he got with the plan....?

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10271

There's also the two sheets of glass and leave out in the sun for a couple of hours or stick it in the airing cupboard trick... Never tried it myself, though.

Anyway, someone may be able to answer re the peripheral clamp if that is the easier option - in the meantime, enjoy the forum. :)

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Rob

Welcome to AOS Rob

Try here http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/puck.html its the site for the Bruil record weight he also makes a record flattening rim weight (Link to rim weight info http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttring.html ) You can ask him about its suitability for the Technics TT. I dealt with Rudolf A. Bruil personally to get my record clamp and he was great to deal with. I would recommend the record weight as well.

Ask about availability too as these items are made in small quantities.

Regards D S D L

[RobbieGong]

Many Thanks for the warm welcome Alex UK and Dalek Supreme and for the info you've provided - much appreciated. It's great to be on board. I wont go down the flattening records route as I really want to experience the benefits of the Outer Ring - I'll make the enquiries via the link you've provided. I've read quite a lot about the Outer Ring and it appears to be a really good addition to a system allowing uniform flatness of record across the entire arm / stylus journey. One guy with a Rega 9 mentioned that it really upped the performance of his table and he just couldn't be without one now as it makes the music so right and stable which kind of makes sense to me if you think about the job the ring is doing. With my perfectly flat records my 2M Black performs amazingly, detail to die for, 3D feel to all instruments and vocals as well as instruments sounding so life like - which is the 2M black performing at it's best, the fluid damper also really helps. Flat records I find obviously give me great playback performance and allow the 2M to get on with it's job without the effects of hyderence caused by dips and bumps etc which undoubtedly affect playback performance. As I've said with the Shibata stylus it is said that VTA is critical to it's performance and that's what I have found, when that is right it is amazing. If I can get an Outer Ring to fit with the damper in place I'll be estatic and report back of course. Wish me luck guys !

[Tarzan]

Hi Rob, and welcome to the forum- you like the 2M Black then?:) Nice MM that :) What phono stage do you use ?

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Robert.

Yes AoS's fame is being helped nicely by Google. We certainly should be able to help you in getting the best out of your Technics 1210 turntable.

The best way to flatten warped records is more difficult! It depends on the severity of the warp, the age of the vinyl and the thickness of the vinyl. Initial successes will often fail with time - the warp will return. Furutech make a record de-warper which claims to remove warps successfuly and to provide a permanent solution. It is not cheap (~ £1K), but we are hoping that one of our more wealthy members will buy one and try it out!

Love you choice of listening! :)

Welcome again to the forum

Regards

[RobbieGong]

Hi Tarzan & Barry, Greetings to you both too - Yes the 2M Black is the business as far as I'm concerned. I've heard and had a good few MM's but the 2M black is special and no wonder its won loads of accolades and awards. I've read many times that it takes you into the world of MC's and can hold it's own against a number of popular MC's up to it's price point and maybe a bit over. I've seen so many top turntables reviewed with the 2M Black as the chosen cartridge which speaks for itself. Take time and i mean good quiet time to concentrate on setting it up with care and attention to all the usual things ie: Azimuth, balance weight at recommended 1.5 and anti scate around the same not forgetting the VTA and you are laughing. Thats one of the reasons why I wont go down the road of changing the stock arm on my Mk5g because the fly on the wheel turn to set VTA is priceless. I've adjusted VTA with the 2M Black ever ever so slowly and delicately and then within a 'nat's it's there the sweetspot -wonderful, and when it's there you really hear it, it just takes patience and maybe a good few tries but who cares when you have the 'turn it in' joy of the SL1200 / 1210's. Also I've found that the stock arm is actually a decent arm, put the damper on, decent feet, good cartridge etc, patience with VTA as I've mentioned and it performs. I'm at that point with my MK5g where I'm actually understanding what you can actually achieve, I mean I hear the performance of the artist, the studio, emotion in the vocal etc, individual character and texture of the instruments, the music comes alive rather than just a nice tune playing along type thing. I know I'll get even more of this once I've added Mike New Bearing and Timestep PSU to the game, and if I ever manage to find a Outer Ring that will fit with my damper in place then I think I'll be in vinyl paradise !!!, not sure it's gonna be easy to find one though. I may ask one of the suppliers if it's possible to have one made that will accomodate the damper, basically one that is not quite as wide as the one I've seen (as per attached link above). I can tell it is too wide and wouldn't go over the platter with the damper there. Those record flatterners at over £1K plus are mad and crazy money, no need for the thing with an Outer Ring applied, they actually enhance the look of a turntable too.

My Phono stage is as per my Technics SUVX800 Integrated amplifier which has MM, MC Phono selector as well seperate subsonic filters for each which I've never felt the need to use - One of Technic's finest from the early, 90's big powerful, purposeful and meaty thing with a wonderfully clean and musical sound, It was their flagship at the time. BIG Twin Profesional Oxygen Free Transformers and Capacitors. Best amp I've owned, will play at moderate volume with ease and finese but a serious powerhouse if needed. If this one went I'd search for another without a doubt.