Going back in time

[NRG]

There was a thread running a while back about selling bits of kit and regretting it afterwards. Mine was a selling a Logic Tempo and Datum S tone arm in favour of a top spec (back then) LP12/Ekos/Troika/Lingo. I got sucked into the Linn marketing machine well and truly and always felt maybe the Linn was not as good as I was led to believe...I went though the upgrades as well, man, the money I must have spent! When I came to my senses some 15 years later I sold the Linn and went down the GyroSE route but there was this itch you see that never quite went away. The Gyro eventually went as well and I've been happy with idler drive and DD decks ever since discovering how dam good a GL99 is...but that itch!

So recently I've been on a bit of a quest to revisit where I was back in the late 80's and part one arrived today: A little used Datum S tonearm...to say I'm over the moon would be the understatement of the year, its even got a box and mounting template! :)

Part two of my trip down memory lane will hopefully arrive later this week but its not quite where I expected to be and came as a bit of a surprise....but I could not resist.

I will need to source a suitable cartridge and was thinking of the ZXY Bloom or maybe the AT33PTG/II...having never heard either of them it will be a stab in the dark. I just hope it all won't be a pile of poop! :D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/4cdd0211-ec9f-4800-a1d4-67f83fe04861.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/7655D4A5-E2E6-4F59-92CD-6CD676B2BEC0.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/52249E0A-C47C-4733-8541-1628E9AEF415.jpg

[struth]

Nice looking arm that Datum. Sometimes the "grass is greener" scenario gets its teeth into you. Probably best to ignore it if your happy enough as is. Easier said than done though

[Marco]

There was a thread running a while back about selling bits of kit and regretting it afterwards. Mine was a selling a Logic Tempo and Datum S tone arm in favour of a top spec (back then) LP12/Ekos/Troika/Lingo. I got sucked into the Linn marketing machine well and truly and always felt maybe the Linn was not as good as I was led to believe...I went though the upgrades as well, man, the money I must have spent! When I came to my senses some 15 years later I sold the Linn and went down the GyroSE route but there was this itch you see that never quite went away. The Gyro eventually went as well and I've been happy with idler drive and DD decks ever since discovering how dam good a GL99 is...but that itch!

So recently I've been on a bit of a quest to revisit where I was back in the late 80's and part one arrived today: A little used Datum S tonearm...to say I'm over the moon would be the understatement of the year, its even got a box and mounting template! :)

Part two of my trip down memory lane will hopefully arrive later this week but its not quite where I expected to be and came as a bit of a surprise....but I could not resist.

I will need to source a suitable cartridge and was thinking of the ZXY Bloom or maybe the AT33PTG/II...having never heard either of them it will be a stab in the dark. I just hope it all won't be a pile of poop! :D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/4cdd0211-ec9f-4800-a1d4-67f83fe04861.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/7655D4A5-E2E6-4F59-92CD-6CD676B2BEC0.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/52249E0A-C47C-4733-8541-1628E9AEF415.jpg

That's a lovely thing, Neal (liable to outperform many much more expensive arms made these days), and I congratulate you on your approach! Nice one. Enjoy! :cool:

Marco.

[NRG]

Part II of my step back in time arrived late yesterday, an uber rare Logic Gemini twin motor TT. This was the next step up from the Tempo that I had. Overall the condition is good if a a bit grubby, the lid is missing and the black has worn of the plinth in a couple of places but it functions well on both speeds and the main bearing looks perfect. It may need a new belt though. Speed is electronically controlled and the motors are AC Synchronous types, see pic. I'd forgotten how bouncy the suspension was on these decks it wobbles about like a jelly so carefully cueing of the cartridge is required! Looking forward to getting this one setup and spinning again although not looking forward to setting the suspension up!

Pics:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/d847893c74bb4717c2da92d70360baad.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/d763094397efa7bc875769370fb25f1f.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/ee450ae5254b0f580d3abd2eb959ed35.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/b248a31b38980cc719d789d3fcc04f87.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/b4508c3d0adad740f38c5ecfb72b5755.jpg

[DSJR]

Check cable dressing as it leaves the plinth - is there a cable clamp at the exit point? I only know the original DM101 and that experience is over thirty five years old now...

[Spectral Morn]

Interesting, never seen one of those before. Underside reminds me a bit of a Voyd Valdi, there really isn't anything new under the sun.

I am looking forward to seeing how this turns out.



Regards Neil

[NRG]

Me too! Yes, dave there's a P clip on the sub chassis, see pic above...

Vertical bounce achieved....what a faff! Setting the deck up reminded me why I like none-suspended turntables. The arm lead dressing is critical and I suspect I'll have to faff around with it again when its actually on the rack. :rolleyes:

I've dug out an old AT-F3 cartridge just to check speed stability whilst I work out which one to go for although it's looking more like an AT33PTG/II at the moment...

[NRG]

As I thought trying to get the suspension 'free' is proving to be a right PIA. The arm lead secured to the sub-chassis just doesn't work so I've moved the P clip to the plinth and secured the lead there similar to the LP12. Setup continues tomorrow!

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/image.jpg1.jpg

[NRG]

Hardened grommets is a very painful condition! I've been suffering with them LOL! I just couldn't get the suspension setup as I would like... The top grommets have deformed and one kept slipping into the spring if the spring was tightened up to far. So I used some cable grommets of the same size as replacements cutting them in half and it seems to have done the trick ! So far so good ......

[NRG]

Finally found time to get the deck installed and running. It's running a touch fast but speed is stable the platter speed app reporting just 0.02% WOW

I've not fitted the base cover yet so it's just resting on some oak cones for now.

Spun a few tunes and was taken aback....it sounds good, very good! There's no wavering on Piano notes and the bass even from the bass light AT-F3 is impressive, it boogies like a good un!

There's a synergy at play, the arm is a stunner complementing the deck perfectly, why I ever sold my Tempo/datumS all those years ago is beyond me....I definitely took a wrong turn that's taken nearly 30 years to correct. LOL!

The AT-F3 tracks beautifully there's no hint of any Distortion or mistracking, highly modulated tracks even at the end of the LP are tracked perfectly. The presentation is on the bright side but loading at 50R slugs the top end a touch making it more enjoyable, however, it really is crying out for a better cart. I recall going to an AT-F5 which added body and clarity to the sound so I think I will stick with my gut instincts and go for the AT33PTG as the AT cartridges seem to work so well.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/image.jpg1_1.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/image.jpg4.jpg

[Gazjam]

Nice one Neal, love it when a plan comes together. :)

[Spectral Morn]

Looking good :cool:

[NRG]

Finally got around to fitting this to the Datum S:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/image_1.jpeg

It's only had about 5 hrs running but the tone is already changing and improving. Out of the box it's quite a shock for the ears especially if you are used to the DL103/R/SA and even to the D. It had me worried! A forward bright sound lacking body with loads of detail and good bass but tiring to listen to, it improves though with careful setup and some hours. Correct alignment with an arc protractor (I used the excellent ARC protractor program generator from Conrad, google it) reduced a tendency to highlight sibilance and switching back to the OEM felt mat from my DIY anti slip mat helped put body back into the sound. It also seems to like tracking at 2.1g with the arm slightly tail down.

Setup like this it is much improved and is getting better all the time. I'm hearing things not heard before, the detail and tone are very good. There is real body to the sound and it boogies like a good 'un when required, I'm impressed. It tracks like a devil, no tracks I have seem to be able to put it off, the lack of IGD is a revelation.

A word about the Gemini and Datum S; This is one stable TT in terms of music reproduction, the speed is a touch fast but sustained piano is stable as stable as any of my DD decks there's no wavering or feeling that the sound is not stable. The two motors seem to work well together, there's a touch of hum if you get close to the deck but nothing I can detect via the 'speakers. I'm really glad I picked this deck up but still kick myself for selling the Logic in favour of an LP12 all those years ago! Oh BTW the S is a cracking arm ;)

[NRG]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/Logic_Gemini/0C7FF099-6C26-4275-87ED-E473EDEDEA2B.jpg

[danilo]

That piccie makes it seem like those Bolts are better suited to a Steam engine.

[NRG]

Really. They are not.

[vinylspinner]

Very nice Neal,

Will we hear it at the next Owston?

Nigel

[Gazjam]

Very nice Neal,

Will we hear it at the next Owston?

Nigel

Has Steve built his extension yet? :eyebrows:

[NRG]

Cheers guys, yes, definitely next Owston!