View Full Version : Installing my MN Bearing and Wand Plus tonarm
Since it's going to be a while still before I get my platter, I decided to go ahead and install the arm and bearing over the weekend.
Here's the bearing, I clipped off all the interfering bits on the coil cover so I can still have at least some protection. I forgot to take any other pictures of this process but it was really easy.
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/u-zP0-8MdFAW0YFBpKZfsqO_PH9TotOhWy_phHUjgLcE0Xnc3?viewBo x=1366
Next I had to remove the bottom of the table to uninstall the old are and install the tapped bosses:
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/D7hoilQOhTPibgmuU6tcNXQs2XQlxUJ66zBsZPGyGWQE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/lj8Mz02mXXaYw6yX3uwTiioRbYpJx4rT9PibixCMSnoE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
Here you can see them after the table was reassembled:
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/ZwHpjUelmfKF7juDFYm4Lrccpv7pwJx8ZhNvI_0NyHsE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
Next I installed the armboard.
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/EN0_eti4seqsvuinLlPRklIk3O9_mNmxw0KguhlaYB4E0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
And then the pivot for the arm:
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/u3pOHNOdQJonITSDAj2CwXoy05Q0_QsiUpuGfHlgg6ME0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/YpFKAeyI8GqxttCFSXUdJRHpoVaSE6w9XOKijf1kN2gE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
Then you install the arm lift:
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/7ZWf4LhVEIEQlQkDPA1xUoDKoz9EOLWDQbO_ThT4KtoE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
After that you simply set the arm in place and finish all the setup. I was a little bit nervous about wrecking a cartridge so I installed an SC35C instead of something expensive.
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/OpQHBz2uaFwfCdZqNiQkRDvvCF1__jwq-BgAqKYO-5YE0Xnc3?viewBox=1366
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/cN2kSADe3dxjfuZErMNzo5VsBMCx_Bi1dlgufo8qZTcE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/8XCwvwchS3nVkUiSsUI6nEIRjzxYjcIUZJSvd6u8uekE0Xnc3? viewBox=1366
Things have been sounding really good the last couple days but everything is still breaking in. I'll probably install one of my Zu Denons when I install the platter.
RobbieGong
08-12-2015, 21:05
Good work Dave. Although I dont like the look of the wand I know it to be reviewed as a very good arm indeed. Do let us know how you find it in terms of sonic presentation, over your previous arm(s)
Yes, I plan to once I've spent a several weeks with it.
walpurgis
08-12-2015, 21:42
I like the look of The Wand and the Techie together. They pair up well. Nice job!
walpurgis
08-12-2015, 22:27
Thanks Geoff!
Let us know how you get on with the final setup, with platter and Zu Denon. I'd be interested. Should be good.
Looking very nice Dave. How long is the arm?
It's the 10.3 inch version. It looks great on the deck but because the arm base sits closer to the edge of the table, the stock dust cover no longer fits. I'll eventually have a new one made when I get around to my cosmetic upgrades some day.
Ah, that explains why the pivot is that little bit further back towards the corner. That arm and the Mk5g make for a rather good looking combo. We will be very interested to hear how it sounds!
Spectral Morn
09-12-2015, 00:24
It's the 10.3 inch version. It looks great on the deck but because the arm base sits closer to the edge of the table, the stock dust cover no longer fits. I'll eventually have a new one made when I get around to my cosmetic upgrades some day.
I have a Triplanar mk7 Ultimate fitted to one of mine (1210) at the minute, its a 10 inch arm too. If I am right the dust cover for the motor - bit that surrounds the top area - of the bearing should be removed if one has a Mike New bearing fitted - http://hifipig.com/mike-new-bearing-for-technics-1210-turntable/ and here - http://www.mikenewaudio.com/bearing.php
Your Wand looks nice on your deck.
As an aside that Herbies mat, isn't the last word in mats. I would try a Funk Firm 1200 mat.
I have a Triplanar mk7 Ultimate fitted to one of mine (1210) at the minute, its a 10 inch arm too. If I am right the dust cover for the motor - bit that surrounds the top area - of the bearing should be removed if one has a Mike New bearing fitted - http://hifipig.com/mike-new-bearing-for-technics-1210-turntable/ and here - http://www.mikenewaudio.com/bearing.php
Your Wand looks nice on your deck.
As an aside that Herbies mat, isn't the last word in mats. I would try a Funk Firm 1200 mat.
Hi Neil,
I cut all the inner plastic out of the dustcover so it would go back on and not interfere with the bearing. It won't hurt anything now being on.
As far as mats go, I've tried the Funk, acrylic, felt, cork, rubber+cork mix, silicone, leather and anything else that was popular eight years ago and the Herbies gets along with Isoplatmat the best. I consider the Isoplatmat as essential to getting the best out of the stock platter and getting that dark shouty-ness that stock table can have to go away. Obviously, when I get my platter upgrade the Isoplatmat will be going away and I can start playing with different mats again.
I also tried the funk achromat 1200 with the isoplatmat - not a synergistic match in my system..... Seemed to suck away the bass response - way overrated for effectiveness/ sound quality effects in the reviews from the magazines. ..... Even the thick rubber mat over the isoplatmat was better...... When it comes to record mats I think it's very system dependent as to whether they make it better or not. I like the Sota reflex clamp instead of passive record weights of similar weights ..... It did more positives than the funk firm achromat/ isoplatmat combo . YMMV with mats and clamps in different systems and with your preferred sound characteristics/presentation .
Does the Herbies mat reduce static build up ?
Hey Anthony,
I'm not really sure about static build up and the Herbies. I've never noticed any but there just isn't a lot of homes with static electricity here in San Diego since no one heats their houses or has carpet.
Hi Neil,
I cut all the inner plastic out of the dustcover so it would go back on and not interfere with the bearing. It won't hurt anything now being on.
I did exactly the same when I installed my MN bearing.
On Friday evening, I finally installed one of my Zu DL-103Rs on The Wand. I was pretty nervous handling the arm with a moving coil cart on the end, but no accidents. It sounds freaking fantastic. I've never heard it sound this good before, really amazing.
I'm using an 8 gram spacer weight with it. I couldn't get the arm to balance even with all the extra counterweight platers so I had to blu-tak a coin to the back.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/dmckean44/SAM_1496.jpg~original
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/dmckean44/SAM_1495.jpg~original
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/dmckean44/SAM_1494.jpg~original
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/dmckean44/SAM_1498.jpg~original
Clive197
27-02-2016, 10:36
I cut all the inner plastic out of the dustcover so it would go back on and not interfere with the bearing. It won't hurt anything now being on.
Hay, Ho, I did that. Thought I was the only person who could be bothered to do it.
Hay, Ho, I did that. Thought I was the only person who could be bothered to do it.
I guess there's three of us then.
I just noticed that all the pictures are missing out of the first post. Looks like it's too late to go back and edit.
Oh well.
Spectral Morn
29-02-2016, 18:47
Hi Neil,
I cut all the inner plastic out of the dustcover so it would go back on and not interfere with the bearing. It won't hurt anything now being on.
As far as mats go, I've tried the Funk, acrylic, felt, cork, rubber+cork mix, silicone, leather and anything else that was popular eight years ago and the Herbies gets along with Isoplatmat the best. I consider the Isoplatmat as essential to getting the best out of the stock platter and getting that dark shouty-ness that stock table can have to go away. Obviously, when I get my platter upgrade the Isoplatmat will be going away and I can start playing with different mats again.
Stacking mats is not a good idea, one or the other.
Stacking mats is not a good idea, one or the other.
I'm using the MN ETP platter now, so no need to stack any longer. I'm currently using the rubber+cork mat but will continue to experiment.
The Isoplatmat was actually permanently bonded to my stock Technics platter to damp vibrations and the Herbies mat was my record interface.
Spectral Morn
29-02-2016, 22:45
I'm using the MN ETP platter now, so no need to stack any longer. I'm currently using the rubber+cork mat but will continue to experiment.
The Isoplatmat was actually permanently bonded to my stock Technics platter to damp vibrations and the Herbies mat was my record interface.
Funk designed their mat to go straight on to the platter, not be on top of another mat. I have tried many mats and in my set up for the money the Funk is very good, but I use an Oyaide MJ12 mostly, with a BR One under it. BR One isn't a mat though, its a damping interface for under the MJ12, specially developed as such.
Not tried a Mike New ETP, my one chance was lost when the UK distributor decided to stop doing them, and yes I know I could buy one but to be honest I am pretty happy with the Funk mk 1 I have and I just can't justify the cost at the minute.
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