View Full Version : Inspire Bearing
I don't know if this is a new product from Inspire and whether folks are aware of it?
Just thought I'd draw attention to it.
It is a modified stock bearing, with enclosed phozzy bronze bush/thrust for the Techie.
This link is for their ebay add: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-UPGRADED-TECHNICS-1200-1210-BEARING-FROM-THE-DIRECT-DRIVE-SPECIALISTS-/301666380040?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
Its a kind of midway point in price and probably performance for anyone upgrading on a budget.
Audio Al
19-06-2015, 13:23
I do believe this has been mentioned in the Mike New topic :)
My opinion is " it looks pants compared to the real McCoy "
freefallrob
19-06-2015, 15:29
I should go and have a look at one really, I could throw a rock at Inspire from where i'm sat at work......
walpurgis
19-06-2015, 15:37
Looks like a sensible mod to me. Inspire products are nicely turned out and I reckon Robert Isherwood would not put his name to something that didn't do what is claimed.
Audio Al
19-06-2015, 15:57
I have tried to find a photo of the std modified bearing and the mike new , Its a chalk and cheese difference
The std bearing has issues with the alloy construction same as the platter , just adding a different piece to the bottom does not ( In my opinion ) add much of a improvement
I have the MN bearing and platter , still have the std bearing somewhere
The only think I didn't like with the MN design was the deliverate high drag aspect.
I am not going over old ground again about my thoughts compared to other bearings.
The inspire sounds very similar to the TimeStep offering.
Hi Kevin,
The only think I didn't like with the MN design was the deliberate high drag aspect.
Well, there are various schools of thought, in terms of what constitutes as 'the best bearing', and high-drag need not be an issue (indeed, if utilised correctly in the right system, can offer a significant advantage).
Here's a good article to read. Scroll down to the part entitled 'The Main Bearing', and you'll see there are advantages and disadvantages for both low-friction and high-friction bearings: http://greenmountainaudio.com/how-to-choose-a-turntable/
My view is that on a T/T, such as an SL-1200/1210, with quite a powerful motor, the advantages of a 'high-drag' bearing, in terms of smoothing out speed fluctuations, outweigh those of the opposite approach, although as ever, other variables come into play that influence the final sound.
At the end of the day, I never get too bogged down on theories or technicalities, and simply allow my ears to judge. They will always act as the final arbiter.
In that respect, whilst I can't comment on the efficacy of the Inspire or Funk bearings, as I haven't used them, I have no compulsion whatsoever to venture away from using the superb Mike New bearing, as in my T/T and system, I can detect no downsides whatsoever to its sonic performance - and when that's the case, the best plan is to leave well alone and simply enjoy the music :cool:
Marco.
True, but high drag due to close tolerances, used in high temperatures probably does not help.
I can't comment on that, Kevin. However, why worry about something that to your ears is a total non-issue? I'm referring to myself here, incidentally, not you.
With hi-fi, you could sit there worrying about all kinds of 'what ifs?', many of which you can do little about. It's a mentality I simply don't possess and indeed can't relate to. I also find that those who think that way are NEVER satisfied with their equipment or systems, and are forever chasing the 'holy grail', which of course simply doesn't exist.
I'm afraid that particular road leads to a big dead end, and it's *not* a good place for anyone's head to be at... :nono:
My advice with bearings for the Technics is to do some research into all the ones available, then carefully consider the one you want/can afford, buy it, fit it and live with it - not sit there continually wondering if there's something else out there that's perhaps 2% better. Incidentally, that also applies to cables! ;)
Marco.
I only brought the Inspire offering to folks attention because not everyone is able or wants to spend the fairly substancial sum for the MN bearing/platter combination (Good as it is).
Through my own experimenting with the stock bearing I know it can be improved and I just thought the Inspire bearing looked like one of the better modified offerings for anyone not DIY savey and looking for an upgrade at reasonable price. I don't think anyone thinks it is competing directly with the MN products. :)
Yup, Ken, I agree.
My last post was really aimed at Kevin, and the dilemma he finds himself in, in terms of 'MN bearing versus Funk Spin', which are indeed comparable products. If I had a Spin, I wouldn't be hankering after an MN, and vice versa. I'd just be enjoying the benefits of whatever it was I had - and least of all - the issue of bearing drag (or lack of it) wouldn't be entering my head.
Sometimes you can drive yourself demented chasing that last few percent! ;)
Marco.
prestonchipfryer
22-06-2015, 14:18
I was trying to keep as far away as possible from this but from personal experience of stock/ts/mn bearing, I have had all three (still got the stock) bearings and the ts is absolutely WORSE than the stock bearing. I.e.: the platter wobbles like a demented fucking jellyfish in a box of Kleenex on a yak's bollocks whilst copulating with a dead frog! And if your brain is wired out-of-phase it would suit you down to the centre of Earth. It really is so bad that mere words cannot be found (in any known language) known to mankind.
prestonchipfryer
22-06-2015, 14:23
I also have to say that my comments do not apply to any other technics sl12++ turntables bearing modifications made by any other known technics sl12++turntables modifications companies known or unknown to myself.
I was trying to keep as far away as possible from this but from personal experience of stock/ts/mn bearing, I have had all three (still got the stock) bearings and the ts is absolutely WORSE than the stock bearing. I.e.: the platter wobbles like a demented fucking jellyfish
Wow! That really is bad. I've always been in the camp that believes that (with the stock platter) the stock bearing really isn't actually all that bad provided it's not had millions of hours of use! It's main plus point being the precision fit of the 'shaft to sleeve'.
If the TS bearing causes platter wobble then surely it's got to be fundamentally lacking somewhere in its design / manufacture.
prestonchipfryer
22-06-2015, 18:47
Wow! That really is bad. I've always been in the camp that believes that (with the stock platter) the stock bearing really isn't actually all that bad provided it's not had millions of hours of use! It's main plus point being the precision fit of the 'shaft to sleeve'.
If the TS bearing causes platter wobble then surely it's got to be fundamentally lacking somewhere in its design / manufacture.
Yes it must be. Personally I think that whoever doctors the ts bearing hasn't a fucking clue as to what they are doing. I am not at all disposed towards any form of engineering. But I did show the ts bearing to an engineering friend and he just said.: ''What the fuck . . . .'' :D
John, I'd tone down the criticism a bit. I've never seen (in the flesh) or heard a Timestep bearing, but it can't be that bad, surely! :eek:
Marco.
prestonchipfryer
23-06-2015, 00:38
:confused:
prestonchipfryer
23-06-2015, 00:43
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?8055-SL-1200-Platters-bearings-mats-and-PSU-s-cartridges-arms-and-more
Lol - how things don't change! Interesting, however, to read DC's stance on matters then, from the comments he made on his (long since) defunct forum... ;)
Hopefully some 'newbies', unaware of the history between AoS and DC, will read that thread and get to know a bit better what the man is really about.
Marco.
Well, reading through that old thread has certainly reminded me of why I hold the [very justified] opinion I do of DC.
That's why it's imperative to know the history of subjects like this before committing knee-jerk reactions to supposedly 'unfair' or 'adverse' remarks about the man posted here today. You have to *know* what's happened in the past, in order to be able to put what's written now into a proper context.
:exactly:
Marco.
prestonchipfryer
23-06-2015, 09:30
I've enjoyed my time here but this will be my last post.
Goodnight and sleep tight.
Eh? :scratch:
Now that's a bit random!
Marco.
walpurgis
23-06-2015, 09:47
I've enjoyed my time here but this will be my last post.
I don't get that at all. :scratch:
I don't think anyone else does but John.
Marco.
did john not say this b4 somewhere recently?
Actually, if you read Dave Cawley's last post, on you-know-where, it seems pretty obvious that he's been 'warned off'/nobbled by him. That's another nasty trait of Mr Cawley: the bullying tactics he employs when he doesn't get what he wants. Reminds me of someone else 'notorious' across forums, too...
Quite a few folk I know have been subjected to bullying tactics from Mr Cawley, but they keep quiet, out of fear of 'reprisals'. Don't let DC shut you up, John!
All that does is make me more determined than ever to expose on here (when an appropriate opportunity arises) what type of man Dave Cawley *really* is. The available evidence, supporting my stance on him, here and elsewhere, is overwhelming.
Marco.
RobbieGong
23-06-2015, 11:53
I've enjoyed my time here but this will be my last post.
Goodnight and sleep tight.
Really hope you're not departing John.....
I've enjoyed my time here but this will be my last post.
Goodnight and sleep tight.
? :scratch:
Here's a précis of events, Barry, which might help clear up the confusion...
Yesterday, in a number of posts on this thread, John was very openly and vociferously criticising the Timestep Technics bearing, sold by Dave Cawley, at the peak of which he wrote this:
Personally I think that whoever doctors the ts bearing hasn't a fucking clue as to what they are doing. I am not at all disposed towards any form of engineering. But I did show the ts bearing to an engineering friend and he just said.: ''What the fuck . . . .'' :D
Now, even I thought that was a tad OTT, so I asked him to tone down the criticism a bit.
This morning John posted a link to an old thread here about aftermarket Technics bearings and Dave Cawley, in order to back up the assertions he'd made about his perceived poor quality of the TS bearing, as I'd said that I didn't think it could be as bad as he was making out.
I had a little laugh reading through the thread, as the contents simply served to remind me why I feel the way I do about Mr Cawley. Meanwhile, Dave Cawley is posting on another forum, quite clearly showing that he's been 'in discussions' with John, obviously outraged at how he'd just slagged off one of his products.
Then, completely out of the blue (or so you think), John does a complete volte face and announces his retirement from the forum......
Now it doesn't take a genius to work out that DC has almost certainly had a word behind the scenes with John, to silence him, telling him to 'shut up or else', which is clearly the reason for John's earlier announcement.
Otherwise, why would he go from vociferously criticising the Timestep bearing, and DC, [a position this forum justifiably supports, and more importantly, one John himself clearly felt was justified] to announcing his departure, to everyone's complete surprise and confusion?
Therefore, if John has left AoS, it's got absolutely nothing to do with AoS or me, and everything to do with Dave Cawley: a veritable bully in action, who will stoop at nothing to get what he wants.
Marco.
Haselsh1
23-06-2015, 14:54
I guess as individuals we need to be aware of people that behave in this manner as we really do not know these people as friends only as forum acquintances. I am duly warned.
sq225917
23-06-2015, 14:58
It's all a bit 'he said, she said' this posting on the web lark. Do people really take it seriously? Haven't we got better things to do than have a go at someone because of what a 3rd party might have said about someone on another forum in a different dimension?
I'd rather have my brain sucked out with a straw than read what some care in community idiot on another forum thinks about me.
I guess as individuals we need to be aware of people that behave in this manner as we really do not know these people as friends only as forum acquintances. I am duly warned.
The best salesmen, Shaun, are always those who can make you genuinely *believe* they are your 'friend'. The fact is, people always buy YOU first, before any product you're selling. It's a classic truism in sales - and it's how the best salesman make a very good living.
DC milks that skill probably better than anyone else I know, which is why, as long as you're giving him your money, and most importantly pandering to his ego, he comes across as such a plausible businessman and perfect gentleman.
Marco.
It's all a bit 'he said, she said' this posting on the web lark. Do people really take it seriously? Haven't we got better things to do than have a go at someone because of what a 3rd party might have said about someone on another forum in a different dimension?
I'd rather have my brain sucked out with a straw than read what some care in community idiot on another forum thinks about me.
Lol... :D
Well, Simon, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. Others are perhaps concerned that a long-standing member has left AoS, and wonder what the *real* cause was.
Marco.
Audio Al
23-06-2015, 15:50
I've enjoyed my time here but this will be my last post.
Goodnight and sleep tight.
:eek: What ! No more chips :eek:
sq225917
23-06-2015, 17:52
It wasn't a comment on John specifically, just an opinion on the theme. Who knows what hoes.on in the world of pm's
Indeed, including those I've received in support of my exposing of DC, indicating that they wouldn't touch him again with a bargepole... ;)
Marco.
Wakefield Turntables
24-06-2015, 08:47
I hate these threads which RUMBLE on, pun intended. :D
I'd rather have my brain sucked out with a straw than read what some care in community idiot on another forum thinks about me.
I couldn't agree more. As Si writes, there seems to be a lot of cross-forum Chinese whispers and general shenanigans (which is precisely what the trolls who inhabit that forum want). I'm not thinking particularly of John's departure - though that does seem very odd. 'This is my final post' and 'I'm leaving this forum forever' type posts/threads always make me think 'why bother saying that'?
Point taken, chaps.
It's unfortunate that a thread started about another manufacturer's bearing (Inspire) has turned into a discussion about Dave Cawley and yet more of his shady behaviour, but if you scroll back you'll see that John himself 'set the ball rolling', in that respect, from post #12, by unprompted (and of his own free will) slagging off the Timestep bearing, which was further compounded by his somewhat bizarre departure a few posts later, as a result of being 'leaned on' by DC.
Remember that Dave Cawley has a history of copying (or attempting to copy) other manufacturer's designs, including of course Mike New's bearing for the Technics T/T (which I have documented proof of), and Alex Nikitin's phono stage, for his personal gain, both egotistical and financial.
In that respect, I have saved correspondence from Alex Nikitin stating that this Timestep phono stage, as shown here on the Sound Hi-fi website: http://www.soundhifi.com/phonostage.html is a direct copy of the A.N.T Audio Kora 3T SE MC circuit (Alex's own design), and Alex himself stating in no uncertain terms that Dave Cawley has used that circuit without his permission.
Therefore, I think it's important to warn people of this type of corruption and dishonesty in the audio industry, so that folks are informed and can give those responsible a very wide berth.
I also agree about these rather pointless 'I'm leaving' announcements, which more often than not are simply designed to attention-seek and/or gain some sort of sympathy vote, although knowing John, I suspect that in this instance that wasn't his intention. Perhaps at some point in the future he'll let us know what was going on in his mind?
Anyway, as this thread has long since lost its original purpose, and everyone has had their input, it's probably time to get the keys out and move on :)
Marco.
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