Oldpinkman
24-06-2013, 16:42
I think this belongs here, but after the session I've just had with Arthur I have changed my signature to "not Funks PAID marketing department" since there have been a few things I needed to say to him - and did. I am just a friend, and not at all on the payroll - but a friend who worked with him and feels a need to shove him in the right direction. And in return I get to play with the toys. More "keeper of the keys for the funk toy department" I think :)
The main reason for this thread though is playing with SL1200's and my own project for the ultimate Pink Triangle turntable, now that you guys have given me the bug again. So I had an agenda to borrow a sl1200 with an F5 on it (to have a listen for tony in glasgow) , borrow a moth record cleaner, borrow an FXR with more than a few reservations, agree an upgrade strategy for my ageing PT, and sort out some business issues in response to a cry for help (I have a degree in Managerial and Administrative studies - so venture beyond accountancy sometimes)
Came away with only the Moth record cleaner, but a promise of the rest in a couple of weeks, and in the process encountered his new funk technics platter. "Oh bother" said Winnie the Pooh. "Oh Funk" was (nearly - bar one letter) what I said. My plans for the PT were to keep it externally as close to original as possible, regardless of how much the design might be improved sonically if it were done differently. It's a nostalgia thing. It was reassuring to confirm that his switch from suspended designs to solid was for reasons of convenience, and to discuss reviving the Anniversary concept on the basis that if I can use a wobbly suspended with one eye and a shaky hand, the rest of the old codgers can learn to do the same. And we agreed that for solid decks (LSD, technics) then a proper isolation platform with springs is the proper solution ( I like a turntable that bounces - and it worried me he was producing all these solid designs that maybe I had been deluding myself about what makes good sound from vinyl. Turns I was ok on this point, but had a shock coming to me on another point :doh:)
So carbon fibre top plate - yes. Motor on the sub-chassis - yes. Upgrade motor and power supply - yes. Stiffen sub-chassis with balsa - yes. Vector drive system - yes. Add mass to the plinth - maybe, probably not
New platter? Are you having a bubble? Right at the centre of my universe was the acrylic platter. Seems no longer. I think, assuming he will make me a custom PT version, its going to have to be the new Technics Funk platter. It can look sort of acrylic, from some angles. Problem is the weight means a strengthening redesign of the suspension system- more than just uprated springs, especially with the strengthened sub-chassis. And maybe a bearing renewal.
This is getting complicated - for my PT pimping project anyway May cost a few more beers yet...
At least Funks mainstream dealer product range looks a bit more sensible now. And he has addressed the quality issues on the F5 and LSD which I raised. The FXR 2 addresses my main concerns about the original (which I may never get to hear now :() But I am seriously looking forward to trying FXR2 - which makes much more sense. (It was nearly as bad as Goldring before - can anyone explain to me so many cartridges sounding so similar with only about £20 on £250 difference in cost?) And looking forward to pimping the old PT, although its now a lot more work. I formally withdraw my earlier post about staying off the drink :cool:
The main reason for this thread though is playing with SL1200's and my own project for the ultimate Pink Triangle turntable, now that you guys have given me the bug again. So I had an agenda to borrow a sl1200 with an F5 on it (to have a listen for tony in glasgow) , borrow a moth record cleaner, borrow an FXR with more than a few reservations, agree an upgrade strategy for my ageing PT, and sort out some business issues in response to a cry for help (I have a degree in Managerial and Administrative studies - so venture beyond accountancy sometimes)
Came away with only the Moth record cleaner, but a promise of the rest in a couple of weeks, and in the process encountered his new funk technics platter. "Oh bother" said Winnie the Pooh. "Oh Funk" was (nearly - bar one letter) what I said. My plans for the PT were to keep it externally as close to original as possible, regardless of how much the design might be improved sonically if it were done differently. It's a nostalgia thing. It was reassuring to confirm that his switch from suspended designs to solid was for reasons of convenience, and to discuss reviving the Anniversary concept on the basis that if I can use a wobbly suspended with one eye and a shaky hand, the rest of the old codgers can learn to do the same. And we agreed that for solid decks (LSD, technics) then a proper isolation platform with springs is the proper solution ( I like a turntable that bounces - and it worried me he was producing all these solid designs that maybe I had been deluding myself about what makes good sound from vinyl. Turns I was ok on this point, but had a shock coming to me on another point :doh:)
So carbon fibre top plate - yes. Motor on the sub-chassis - yes. Upgrade motor and power supply - yes. Stiffen sub-chassis with balsa - yes. Vector drive system - yes. Add mass to the plinth - maybe, probably not
New platter? Are you having a bubble? Right at the centre of my universe was the acrylic platter. Seems no longer. I think, assuming he will make me a custom PT version, its going to have to be the new Technics Funk platter. It can look sort of acrylic, from some angles. Problem is the weight means a strengthening redesign of the suspension system- more than just uprated springs, especially with the strengthened sub-chassis. And maybe a bearing renewal.
This is getting complicated - for my PT pimping project anyway May cost a few more beers yet...
At least Funks mainstream dealer product range looks a bit more sensible now. And he has addressed the quality issues on the F5 and LSD which I raised. The FXR 2 addresses my main concerns about the original (which I may never get to hear now :() But I am seriously looking forward to trying FXR2 - which makes much more sense. (It was nearly as bad as Goldring before - can anyone explain to me so many cartridges sounding so similar with only about £20 on £250 difference in cost?) And looking forward to pimping the old PT, although its now a lot more work. I formally withdraw my earlier post about staying off the drink :cool: