alternative to a mike new bearing

[diviy]

I would love a mike new bearing but due to be not able to work are there any other bearing out there at a more affordable price

Gerry

[CageyH]

As far as I am aware, there are three alternatives.

1. Sound HiFi bearing £249
2. Inspire Hifi Phosphur Bronze Bearing Housing £95.00
3. DIY your own - like this http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?22788-Can-you-improve-the-stock-techie-bearing&highlight=bearing

Prices above are taken from the respective web sites, and I have no experience of any them, being a Mike New owner myself.

[Mike_New]

Hi diviy,
At $685 for my High Precision Bearing this converts to about Stg385 at the current low exchange rate for the Ozzy dollar.
Which is not a great deal more than the very basic gluged up bearing offered by Cawley of Sound HiFi
Who incidentally, still maintains that all 0V connections from his basic power supply, must be made to the top Right Hand hole of the PCB
where there is no direct connection to the common 0V rail of the PCB.
This was covered extensively on this forum over two years ago!!
The 'Bronze Bearing Housing' unit can hardley be compared with mine in the same sentence.

[ChrisKemp]

Save up for the Mke New Bearing instead. If it takes you some months to wait for it, it is worth the wait, I guarantee you:eyebrows:

[DarrenHW]

Save up for the Mke New Bearing instead. If it takes you some months to wait for it, it is worth the wait, I guarantee you:eyebrows:

+1, or follow Ken's (Qwin) DIY bearing work if you have the facilities, but to be honest at the price the NMB is now it's a bargain, it really will transform your Techie. If I were to go down the Techie route again I'd have his base plate aswell.

[Mike_New]

Maybe the Garrard can benefit from a new bearing design would it be worth the effort??

[DarrenHW]

Maybe the Garrard can benefit from a new bearing design would it be worth the effort??

As a consumer I'd say yes the Garrard (and market) could definitely benefit, however there are already aftermarket options:

http://www.northwestanalogue.com/nwa-garrard-bearing.html
http://www.peakhifi.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom.cgi?Command=ShowProduct&db_pid=582

aswell as aftermarket housings:
http://www.classichifi-shop.co.uk/blog/408.html

and thrust pads:
http://www.classichifi-shop.co.uk/products-page/upgrades/garrard-401-stainless-steel-thrust-base
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111542004806?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

As far as I'm aware no one does an aftermarket grease bearing, but there may be a reason for this?

[Mike_New]

Thanks Darren for the links to bearing suppliers.
The Peakhifi unit costs more than my bearing and still only uses stainless steel.
The problem may be that all these lessor TTs use a belt drive which requires that the bearing must be relatively loose compared to
the precision fit which can be used on a direct drive system, otherwise there will be tensional oscillation in the belt drive.

[DarrenHW]

The problem may be that all these lessor TTs use a belt drive which requires that the bearing must be relatively loose compared to
the precision fit which can be used on a direct drive system, otherwise there will be tensional oscillation in the belt drive.

Sorry, you've lost me, the Garrard 401 & 301 are Idlers.

[ChrisKemp]

After I had used the MN bearing and changed back to the original bearing, then I really heard what the MN did to the sound. Mine took some time to run in, but once it was it does so much.

[walpurgis]

The problem may be that all these lessor TTs use a belt drive which requires that the bearing must be relatively loose compared to
the precision fit which can be used on a direct drive system, otherwise there will be tensional oscillation in the belt drive.

I'm a bit mystified too. "lesser" turntables? Which would they be? Belt drive turntables with loose bearings?

Elastic reactions in drive belts are usually caused by old belts.

[ChrisKemp]

The MN bearing is so tight that a belt drive would have a hard time driving it. I think that is what Mike ment. The tighter the bearing the better. Mike?

[Mike_New]

Sorry Darren,
Yes but I believe that the idler pully approach still suffers from the same problem, if the bearing is too close running fit, then the idler may slip.

[Mike_New]

Hi Chris,
Yes the closer the fit the better the bearing must be at resisiting any lateral movement or vibrations. And my Bearing is probably about as high a precision fit as is possible under normal machining/toolmaking process's. However this does imply a certain tightness of the Bearing compared with the OEM product or any of the other lessor alternatives offered. The excellent power of the direct drive of the SL1200 is well able to handle this.
I have looked at offering a bearing for the other alternative systems, belt and idler pulley. But to be brutally honest I do not believe that they could handle a precision bearing of the calibre of the one I supply for the SL1200. Secondly these bearings must handle a constant side thrust due to the belt tension or radial thrust of the idler wheel.

[YNWaN]

The problem may be that all these lessor TTs use a belt drive which requires that the bearing must be relatively loose compared to
the precision fit which can be used on a direct drive system, otherwise there will be tensional oscillation in the belt drive.

With respect, that just isn't true.

[Mike_New]

Hi Mark,
I do not have any experience in working with belt or friction drive TTs. It was just my thoughts on the subject, based on how people who have these units are always very concerned about the type of belt used and the amount elasticity they permit.
If people are interested in this, it is possible that I could get my toolmakers to produce a couple of bearings based on the same design as used in the SL1200 bearings.
Ceramic ball enclosed in a sealed oil cavity and using the same honing technology and precision finishing of the shaft.
The brass housing is certainly a lot easier to machine than the complex profile of the SL1200 bearing.

[Audio Al]

:scratch:

Just seen this thread

Answer = There is NO " alternative to a mike new bearing "

Its a Mike New or something inferior ;)

[DarrenHW]

Sorry Darren,
Yes but I believe that the idler pully approach still suffers from the same problem, if the bearing is too close running fit, then the idler may slip.

I see, lot's of people report play in the spindle, maybe it was designed this way by Garrard for the above reason? Either way I think it's a pity it's not something you feel worth persuing, I love my Garrard but as a Techie convert I can hear it's weaknesses. However I'm just at the start of the project and hope that (after a proper service) PS and bearing modifications will bring this more in line with the Techie's accuracy and low noise whilst retaining it character and would have happily tried your bearing offerings. At the same time there is a lot of love for the established NWA bearing, so all is not lost.

[Mike_New]

Hi Darren,
To the contrary I do think that it may be worth pusuing. If someone is sufficiently interested in this project
to send me one of their used bearings, then I will examine the practicallity of making one to my specifications.
I am also looking for some TTs on Ebay
If there is someone in the Sydney area who would like to work with me then this would be great.

[DarrenHW]

I look forward to seeing / hearing what you come up with, if only I lived in Sydney.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mike,

I for one would buy a new MN garrard bearing. Other companies have made bearings but the reviews are scant. Going on past form I think it's fair to say that you design fantastic bearings. I really really think you should make a new Garrard 301 bearing. What with your experience and multiple satisfied customers on AOS and other forums I think you would be on a sure fire winner. Please at least consider it.

PS I have a very well sorted 301, I would be more than happy to do any testing of any prototypes for you.

[Mike_New]

OK I will give it a go, but first I need to get hold of a 301
Also how many versions or models of the Garrard are there which may have different bearing sizes and shapes.
I wi9ll keep you in minde as the first user.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mike,

You need to speak to Audiograil.

[Mike_New]

Who are audiograil Rexton ?

[Marco]

At your service, Mike: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?35531-Garrard-301-Rare-Ministry-of-Defence-boxed-cosmetically-100-Original-AS-serviced

Matt really knows his stuff! :)

Marco.

[Mike_New]

Thanks Marco,
But all those levers and pivots just to make the platter go around.

[Wakefield Turntables]

You wanted to know something of the history of Garrard turntables i.e. the different version of the bearing, of which there is oil and grease.

[Mike_New]

I am looking for a cheap Garad in Oz but have'nt foind one yet
I guess the difference between a grease and oil bearings is the fit tollerance of the shafts.