Hello

[M42]

Hi everyone, I'm Jeff and I hail from Ottawa Canada. I'm returning to the world of hifi after a lengthy hiatus, and have begun to build my vinyl collection once again. I listen to classic/progressive rock, folk, some jazz and light classical. My system presently consists of:

Bottlehead Stereomour 2A3 amp

Bottlehead Reduction Phono amp

Bottlehead Crack headphone amp

Sennheiser HD600 headphones

Thorens TD160 MK2 turntable

Grace F9E cartridge & AKG P8ES cartridge (the Grace is currently installed - my favorite!)

FrugelHorn3 speakers with Alpair 7.3en drivers

I'm looking to upgrade the Thorens with new interconnects and power cord, I'm also considering some of the Chadwick/Tim Bailey mods to the turntable as well.


Jeff

[walpurgis]

Hello Jeff. Welcome to AOS.

You have an interesting system. Are you thinking of any other changes apart from the turntables mods?

If you need any information, just find the right section and ask. You'll get plenty of replies.


Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

[M42]

I'm going to upgrade the tubes in my Stereomour to JJ2A3-40's, from all accounts they are a significant upgrade from the Sovteks that came with the amp. I will also change the tubes in my preamp...the jury is still out on what replacements will be used. I'm still experimenting with the placement of the FrugelHorns in my very small listening room. I am thinking of building some 1 3/4" - 2" thick rock maple plinths and installing spikes under the speakers. The speakers are fairly short...some 35 1/2" if memory serves. I think the speakers would benefit sitting a little higher in relation to my seating position.

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Jeff,

Choice between the Grace F9E and the AKG P8ES, well that's a tough one as both are excellent cartridges. :)

What are the Chadwick/Tim Bailey mod to the TD160?

Enjoy the Forum

Barry

[M42]

Thanks Barry and apologies for the late reply! The Chadwick/Tim Bailey mods largely consist of additional suspension damping for the TD160. Dynamat and bituminous felt are two commonly employed materials. I have recently read that it is not advised to use the Dynamat as the aluminum backing will itself resonate...this seems to make sense. The suspension springs on this deck were also filled with foam...it is recommended that this also be removed, and a heavier (1/2" to 3/4" thick Baltic birch ply panel replaces the thin particle board installed by the factory.

Further information can be found here: http://www.theanalogdept.com/susp_tim_bailey.htm

Jeff