Ammonite Audio
11-12-2012, 19:17
My TD-124 has just re-entered service after too long a break, but that long hiatus has allowed me to restore the thing to the highest degree possible (excepting cosmetics), using the best new parts available. So, it has benefited from:
New Swissonor Non-Magnetic Ferrous Platter
New Swissonor Top Platter (the old one has a slight warp)
Schopper Main Bearing (not new, but mint)
New Idler Wheel
Martin Bastin Variable PSU (enables the eddy brake to be removed)
Keystrobe LED Strobe Conversion
Jim Campbell solid CNC 'Ortofon' Style Conical Plinth
Forgive me for not posting a photo just yet, as I have to tidy up some wires that need to be rejigged to accommodate the Keystrobe circuitry inside the plinth; also the plinth does need to be sanded and resprayed to remove a few dings that are my doing.
So, having refitted the Audio Note Arm3 (II) and a ganz-neu Benz Wood SL that I bought before jetting off to Afghanistan, the TD-124 is now playing tunes again, via the (also ganz-neu) Ortofon ST-80SE SUT. It is sounding utterly, utterly sublime and is now as quiet as an idler can possibly be. Sinatra's "Live at the Sands" is playing as I type and there is such a lovely feeling of stability, calm and atmosphere. The Martin Bastin PSU was a bit of a punt on a hunch that the eddy brake does nothing for stability nor micro-dynamics and that hunch seems to have been borne out.
After all the effort of polishing pulleys and tweaking idlers, I am very chuffed at how this old thing has turned out. I have learnt a great deal about what is good and not so good about this venerable turntable's design, which I am happy to share with anyone who has the time to listen!
And, although I can't compare the Ortofon ST-80SE SUT with my old Bob's Devices SUT, I am very happy with what I'm hearing, so thank you Marco for pointing me towards a really good deal on the Ortofon.
David (MCRU) has sent me some TQ Black Phono cables that will be tried out shortly - will they be better than the Mark Grant G2000HD?
New Swissonor Non-Magnetic Ferrous Platter
New Swissonor Top Platter (the old one has a slight warp)
Schopper Main Bearing (not new, but mint)
New Idler Wheel
Martin Bastin Variable PSU (enables the eddy brake to be removed)
Keystrobe LED Strobe Conversion
Jim Campbell solid CNC 'Ortofon' Style Conical Plinth
Forgive me for not posting a photo just yet, as I have to tidy up some wires that need to be rejigged to accommodate the Keystrobe circuitry inside the plinth; also the plinth does need to be sanded and resprayed to remove a few dings that are my doing.
So, having refitted the Audio Note Arm3 (II) and a ganz-neu Benz Wood SL that I bought before jetting off to Afghanistan, the TD-124 is now playing tunes again, via the (also ganz-neu) Ortofon ST-80SE SUT. It is sounding utterly, utterly sublime and is now as quiet as an idler can possibly be. Sinatra's "Live at the Sands" is playing as I type and there is such a lovely feeling of stability, calm and atmosphere. The Martin Bastin PSU was a bit of a punt on a hunch that the eddy brake does nothing for stability nor micro-dynamics and that hunch seems to have been borne out.
After all the effort of polishing pulleys and tweaking idlers, I am very chuffed at how this old thing has turned out. I have learnt a great deal about what is good and not so good about this venerable turntable's design, which I am happy to share with anyone who has the time to listen!
And, although I can't compare the Ortofon ST-80SE SUT with my old Bob's Devices SUT, I am very happy with what I'm hearing, so thank you Marco for pointing me towards a really good deal on the Ortofon.
David (MCRU) has sent me some TQ Black Phono cables that will be tried out shortly - will they be better than the Mark Grant G2000HD?