At last...

[Mike - H]

My system upgrade is up and running, it’s only taken 14 months, this is pretty much my old system but with the new CDP, which was bought in late 2011.

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In July 2012 I reached the big 60, and my birthday present was a very nice unmolested 401.

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When I researched plinths, size and materials, it raised doubts about the rack I was using.

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More toys were bought, along with one of Yannis very nice 423.5 phono leads and one of shuggies collars.

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When in September I bought a XTZ A100 amp, it’s size and weight consigned the old rack to the knackers yard. So I purchased a length of oak worktop and set about making a new rack.

Four thirty inch lengths were cut off and rounded over all round.

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Two of these pieces were used along with two pieces from the remaining off cut, to create a unit for record storage and also hold the mains supply block.

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The remaining two shelves were fitted with oak legs and spikes to create equipment storage.

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I finished the rack with several coats of Danish oil to start with, but I was not pleased with the result, so I gave it a light sanding with 320 grade and then applied a coat of wax polish which gave a much better finish imo.

The plinth is finished with two coats of Dulux high gloss black and a pair of Yannis 223.5 ICs were fitted to the CDP. A MCRU mains block was added along matching power leads.

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And very nice it sounds too. The new amp lifted the CDP to levels I didn’t think possible from CDs. It’s impossible to quantify each part of the TT, as motor unit, cart, arm and phono cable are all new in one go, all I can say is I’m very pleased with it. I will say the ICs from Yannis lifted the CDP to yet another level, right from day one I’ve had a downer on CDs but this new system has shown them in whole new light, still prefer vinyl though.
PS : I grabbed some very cheap B&W DM4s off eBay which I am going to collect this evening, should round off the system very nicely.

Mike

[Richiebuoy]

A very nice system Mike and I wished I had your wood working skills....... excellent.

[Barry]

Excellent work Mike - well done! :)

[Marco]

Nice one, Mike. That's a sexy looking 401! :stalks:

How's the MP200 sounding? I really rate the new Nagaokas, as to my ears, they're much more even-handed and musical sounding than their Goldring or Ortofon MM counterparts, which are voiced rather differently.

Enjoy! :cool:

Marco.

[Jonboy]

very nice Mike, lovely finish on the Plinth

[Mike - H]

Cheers guys, I'm really pleased overall, it just took ten times longer than expected, which is probably down to my unrealistic expectations.

Marco, the MP 200 is great, my album collection is pristine and free from almost any background noise, the 200 gives depth to the silence if that makes sense. The cart, arm and cable combo give a lower volume level than my previous set up, I have to give the control about a quarter turn to bring it up to the same listening level.

All the new parts only have about 20 hours on them at this time, so some burning in and settling to do yet, time to sit back and enjoy :cool:

Mike

[julesd68]

MP's are great carts Mike - my MP50 was outstanding ...

Er, let me know if you fancy making a similar 5 shelf rack for me sometime - yours is a stunna!! :D