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scoobs
15-12-2008, 20:09
I collected my new tt on the weekend, a whopping great Denon DP-80 with matching plinth, it's a sizeable beast that dwarfs the 1210 in terms of footprint and heft, it has a feel of dependable industrial precision when putting together with wonderful simplicity in operation, nothing fancy here, the variable pitch knob being the only 'tweaky' function. The plinth has a sub-plinth type base that house the adjustable feet that look fairly rudimentary. I've never had to worry about arm boards and the like before, but luckily this deck has a pre-drilled one together with a spare, the board itself is about 2 inches thick...eveything about this deck is solid and heavy.

I was lucky to have the option of a nice tonearm with this deck, this arm is a 10" Jelco SA-1100 mk4 limited edition. It's tri-point design with uni-pivot for the vertical axis and bearings for horizontal... I think :scratch: What a lovely piece of engineering this arm is, the bearing housing is substantial and the whole thing is much heavier than I expected, it comes with two counterweights and the arm is wired with a silver loom as are the headshell leads. The bundled tonearm cable is rather nice too, I suspect it's the same as Marco's being a fetching fuscia with gold plugs. The arm's vta is adjusted by locking the sprung loaded turret with a bolt, again the simplicity of this arm is wonderful, handily it also came with a mounting template which was nice. I understand that these arms are hens teeth, and I can find nothing on t'interweb about them.

It's early days but this deck is a keeper for sure, it's pretty rare in this country and I dont feel like I would want form a vinyl front end. It has added gravitas, scale and outright slam over the excellent KAB 1210, it's just cut loose from restraint. I love it. :)

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/80.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/80_1.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/80_2.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/80_3.jpg

pure sound
15-12-2008, 20:14
Nice one! looks very pretty. Does the plinth feel up to the job or are you going to be applying your own woodworking talents to it?

scoobs
15-12-2008, 20:33
Thanks Guy. Well the plinth is a lovely piece of furniture tbh, but it's really quite big in terms of footprint, and overhangs my rack on all planes. I shouldn't be thinking of messing about so soon, but I would like to get something new and interesting, I would like to have a smaller footprint with added height and mass, whilst it's heavy I can still get some feedack by tapping the outer edge. I think the feet could be improved upon too.

The motor unit is deep at about 7", so i'm thinking a Slatedeck jobbie may not be the best solution, something on the lines of what you have talked about elsewhere would be interesting with multiple layers of acrylic, alu or ply etc. Lots to think about...but not until next year (note to self -forget fettlin' and enjoy the tunes)

This plywood monster looks the business
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~junk-ima/kyabi1.jpg

Beechwoods
15-12-2008, 20:33
That is beautiful. Wow. Turntable porn... both the arm and the 'table look fantastic :)

Marco
15-12-2008, 20:38
Fantastic stuff, Scoobs :youtheman:

I'll comment more later, but safe to say that is one *serious* turntable. Also, I'm 99.9% certain the arm is made by Jelco and is to all intents and purposes the same as my SA-750D :)

[Edit: Sorry, that was written before I read this: "this arm is a 10" Jelco SA-1100 mk4 limited edition."] :doh:

The whole lot should sound amazing! :gig:

Laters,
Marco.

Ali Tait
15-12-2008, 21:00
Scoobs,I note from your system notes you have active statics.Could you elucidate please? :)

scoobs
15-12-2008, 21:24
Ali, yup the speakers came bundled with a hi-end Sony mini separates system back in the early 90's. I had and sold them years ago but tracked a pair down to ry with some valves. I've lifted this blurb of mine from a previous thread.....

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/speaker.jpg

The active crossover feeds discrete onboard amps equipped with R-core transformers and terminate with 6.5” LF woofer and an electrostatic tweeter. On paper the 50w RMS wont raise many pulses, but interestingly the woofer utilises motional feedback technology, something I initially mistook for a fancy alternative name for rear porting, but on research now understand as an innovative Philips design from the 70’s that reduces distortion and significantly improves LF control and quality from smaller enclosures. I also read that motional feedback designs enjoy an almost cult following, and I’m told if the usual mob were to design a similar active speaker today the cost would be eye-watering? The other thing I like about these speakers is the lack of distracting filters, attenuators and the like around the back, nope – these have just the power inlet and rca socket.

Ali Tait
15-12-2008, 22:22
Oh bugger yes I'd forgotten these were your speakers.I'm sure early senility is setting in...

pure sound
15-12-2008, 23:07
Is it a Koetsu headshell?

scoobs
15-12-2008, 23:25
Yes Guy, it's a Koetsu badged Jelco arm and headshell. The headshell came in a felt lined box of it's own, not unlike something you'd expect for an expensive ring. I quickly secreted it out of sight of the girlfriend before she could ask any probing questions.

aquapiranha
15-12-2008, 23:27
That is a lovely looking deck! I love the look of the big Denons. I am sure that they deserve more recognition too, and I am willing to bet they sound fantastic!

The ply chassis looks cool too, but I have a ply fetish.... :lol:

Marco
15-12-2008, 23:42
Indeed, I noticed those ply-lined panties drying on the radiator in the hall ;)

Must be right rough on yer gonads!

Marco.

aquapiranha
16-12-2008, 00:15
"ply-lined panties" best way to get "wood"... thought the splinters a SOB !

Back OT...

I have just had a look on Hifido, lots of lovely big Jap DD's on there, Denons included - and some of the arms fitted look like works of art!!

Marco
16-12-2008, 00:59
Yup. The only problem is they'll not be configured for UK mains, which means either buying (or building) a step-down transformer or (if possible) a whole new PSU...

Marco.