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Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 18:27
Been servicing my 401 ready for Owston next week, when It'll be played for the first time.

How quickly should a 401 get up to speed?

Mine at the mo takes 2 revs for 33 and 4 revs for 45. It's also easy to stop the platter with my finger.

Is this normal?

MCRU
03-11-2013, 18:29
Been servicing my 401 ready for Owston next week, when It'll be played for the first time.

How quickly should a 401 get up to speed?

Mine at the mo takes 2 revs for 33 and 4 revs for 45. It's also easy to stop the platter with my finger.

Is this normal?

errr no

Dominic will be there he will look at your bodge work and fix it ......:lol:

Dominic Harper
03-11-2013, 18:30
About half a rev for both 33 and 45 Ali.

Dominic Harper
03-11-2013, 18:31
If I remember Il bring some bits n bobs and get it running better for you.

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 19:24
Great, many thanks Dom. I have stripped and oiled the motor and it runs freely, as does the idler wheel. Spindle bearing stripped cleaned and oiled also.

Seems it's slow getting up to speed then. New idler wheel needed?

Also, how hot should the motor get? Mine gets pretty hot, I can only touch the bottom half of the clam shell for a couple of seconds.

Dominic Harper
03-11-2013, 19:28
The motor getting that hot means you need to align the shells a little better and should run cooler. It will get hot but not so you cant touch it for quite a while.
No need to buy an idler wheel. The replacements available rarely sound as good as the originals. Bit of magic and it will be running much better.

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 19:32
Ok thanks Dom, I will strip and build up again.

How come it's so slow getting up to speed then?

Dominic Harper
03-11-2013, 19:35
The inner platter face and idler wheel face need dressing. Also use a small mount of grease rather than oil on the idler bushes. Will run quieter.
Be careful not to over tighten the nuts holding the two halves of the motor together. This may be why your motor is getting a bit hot.

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 19:39
Ah, thanks Dom, that'll be it, I did them up quite tightly.

I can't detect any noise at all when it's running though.

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 19:41
BTW, I used a bit of Vaseline on the idler wheel bushes, spins very freely.

Dominic Harper
03-11-2013, 19:42
Surprising what a stylus picks up that the ear next to the workings doesnt.

take5
03-11-2013, 20:29
Can I just ask. What is "Ouston "

MCRU
03-11-2013, 20:36
Can I just ask. What is "Ouston "

Its Owston dude, a small DIY meeting held twice a year, Owston Lodge near Doncaster, this saturday and sunday coming, its a bunch of DIY folk playing about with hi-fi gear, quite interesting as it happens

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 21:12
Surprising what a stylus picks up that the ear next to the workings doesnt.

Aye, guess so. We'll see next weekend anyway. Thanks again for the help Dom, have slackened the motor fixings a bit, just letting it run for a bit to see how warm the motor gets.

MCRU
03-11-2013, 21:24
Aye, guess so. We'll see next weekend anyway. Thanks again for the help Dom, have slackened the motor fixings a bit, just letting it run for a bit to see how warm the motor gets.

If it gets too hot you can always fan it with yer waistcoat :lol:

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 21:28
Aye ok Joe 90!

DSJR
03-11-2013, 21:43
According to the docs on here, the 401 was designed to be run 24/7 as necessary by broadcast institutions. The two I had yonks ago rumbled (motor vibration getting through) badly, due to the plinths mainly, but having heard how a properly sorted one can be, I wish you all the best for yours :)

Rare Bird
03-11-2013, 21:44
Nice cat Dave

Sorry carry on

:sofa:

DSJR
03-11-2013, 21:50
He's from next door but treats our place as his second home. It's been decided we won't ever have a puss of 'our own' again, so his daily visits are very much appreciated and everything stops for him when he calls :)

Ali Tait
03-11-2013, 21:55
According to the docs on here, the 401 was designed to be run 24/7 as necessary by broadcast institutions. The two I had yonks ago rumbled (motor vibration getting through) badly, due to the plinths mainly, but having heard how a properly sorted one can be, I wish you all the best for yours :)

Thanks Dave. It's been 30 or so years since I've had a TT on the go, so I'm looking forward to it!

Audio Al
04-11-2013, 00:06
It's been 30 or so years since I've had a TT on the go


Welcome HOME :)

Ali Tait
04-11-2013, 09:14
:D

Marco
05-11-2013, 07:55
Thanks Dave. It's been 30 or so years since I've had a TT on the go, so I'm looking forward to it!

Nice one, Ali. I thought you were a lost sheep and destined to forever be a digital fanboy!! :eyebrows:

Enjoy yer 401. It's a fine T/T (with oodles of 'tweakability', as you no doubt know already). Hope it hits the spot and gives you many hours of listening pleasure :)

Marco.

Ali Tait
05-11-2013, 09:05
Cheers mate, looking forward to hearing it for the first time.

take5
12-11-2013, 08:39
Cheers mate, looking forward to hearing it for the first time.

Congratulations on your 401. I have recently got one myself and Im really enjoying it.

Ps and off topic. I was born in Dunfermline. What is going on with the Pars?:scratch:

337alant
06-12-2013, 11:27
The 401 is a fabulous turntable and built to last so good luck.
I am presently using one and a Michel Gyro Deck, I want the Gyro deck to be better but it just does not have that bass energy and pace that you get from the 401:eyebrows:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/11235122954_cb83fec7fc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69508926@N05/11235122954/)
. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69508926@N05/11235122954/) by 337alant (http://www.flickr.com/people/69508926@N05/), on Flickr



Alan

Wakefield Turntables
06-12-2013, 11:43
The 401 is a fabulous turntable and built to last so good luck.
I am presently using one and a Michel Gyro Deck, I want the Gyro deck to be better but it just does not have that bass energy and pace that you get from the 401:eyebrows:



Alan

Nice setup. The 301 and the 401 will never beat a well setup 1210 with regards to Bass slam and response. I too have a very nice 301 but it dosen't seem to match the 1210 with regards to Bass.

Beobloke
06-12-2013, 14:45
I too have a very nice 301 but it dosen't seem to match the 1210 with regards to Bass.

Was that comparison made with the decks configured as per the equipment list in your signature?

Wakefield Turntables
06-12-2013, 17:34
Was that comparison made with the decks configured as per the equipment list in your signature?

The answer would be yes, but I havent played around with putting the ortofon cadenza black on the 301 and the 301 only ever gets played through the Tannoy's. I think your probably going to say that the 301 should be just as good in the bass area. I would not disgree with you either. The 301 is still a WIP, I would like a better bearing and a decent platter mat which I suppose could improve things. TBH I only use the 301 for Jazz, classical, vocal, folk etc. The 1210 is used for Metal and Prog.

337alant
07-12-2013, 19:02
I have a stock Tech 1200 with a stanton cart but I also tried an Ortofon pink scratch cart, not realy a fiar comparison but my 401 tronces it :eek:

Alan

Wakefield Turntables
07-12-2013, 19:10
Hmmmm my 1210 as you can see is not quite stock !!!!! The main thing is that your enjoying your 301, I hope it gives you many years of pleasure.

Beobloke
09-12-2013, 09:07
The answer would be yes, but I havent played around with putting the ortofon cadenza black on the 301 and the 301 only ever gets played through the Tannoy's. I think your probably going to say that the 301 should be just as good in the bass area. I would not disgree with you either. The 301 is still a WIP, I would like a better bearing and a decent platter mat which I suppose could improve things. TBH I only use the 301 for Jazz, classical, vocal, folk etc. The 1210 is used for Metal and Prog.

It was actually the SME V I was going to point the finger at, as I've personally never heard another arm offer quite its level of low end impact!

Wakefield Turntables
09-12-2013, 11:55
It was actually the SME V I was going to point the finger at, as I've personally never heard another arm offer quite its level of low end impact!

You have a very fair point in that the V is excellent at low end grunt. My plinth for the 301 is setup for the old SME 3012 which IMHO dosent offer the same impact in the bass area as the SME V.