My latest turntable build

[paulf-2007]

Having recently sold my 401 and lenco ptp and always wanted a denon I managed to find a nice DP80 and went about making a plinth.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0515.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0515.jpg.html)

[Barry]

Nice work - what is the wood? And is that a Wilson Benesch arm I see in the background?

[Spectral Morn]

Very nice :)

[struth]

dont post things like that again myles.

[paulf-2007]

Legs are rosewood, main plinth is ply with rosewood veneer, I have now made a sub plinth with spike shoes set flush to locate the plinth spikes and working on an arm pod that will bolt to the sub plinth so pivot to spindle is fixed. Barry that's well spotted but it's not a WB arm but a rosewood single point uni I bought from China that's a bit of a copy of the act 0.5, it's a great arm. I will be able to swap it in place of my audiomods when I fancy a change, both have the same mounting distance and hole size. I have photos of the build if anyone is interested.

[myles]

Paul, I don't know if you saw my comment but it was firstly a compliment and secondly a little rib about it being pot shaped; perhaps like a fondue pot.
I hope if you did see it, that you didn't take it any other way but an indication of admiration, as the local police saw otherwise.

[paulf-2007]

dont post things like that again myles.
Eh?

[myles]

Eh?
Sorry Paul, see above for clarification.

[paulf-2007]

Paul, I don't know if you saw my comment but it was firstly a compliment and secondly a little rib about it being pot shaped; perhaps like a fondue pot.
I hope if you did see it, that you didn't take it any other way but an indication of admiration, as the local police saw otherwise.
I didn't see it myles, no worries mate all good

[myles]

Cheers Paul.

I've always had a soft spot for the Denon turntables, do you know if the whole range will fit your plinth (obviously that shape only)?

[Marco]

Paul, I don't know if you saw my comment but it was firstly a compliment and secondly a little rib about it being pot shaped; perhaps like a fondue pot.
I hope if you did see it, that you didn't take it any other way but an indication of admiration, as the local police saw otherwise.

Myles,

Whilst I think that your 'joke' may have been taken the wrong way, and you'll be given the benefit of the doubt for that, please do not refer to the moderators here in such a dismissive or derogatory manner. You're just back from a week's ban, so I'd tread a little more carefully, if I were you, and not draw such negative attention to yourself [and that includes putting silly names on your profile]! ;)

Anyway, let's move on.

Marco.

[shane]

I have photos of the build if anyone is interested.

Yes please!

[jandl100]

And is that a Wilson Benesch arm I see in the background?

Paul demmed that WB Chinese knock-off arm at the Scalford Show 4 years ago on a 401 replinthed by his good self.
It looked and sounded fabulous and for me was the highlight of the show.

Here's a pic I took ...

http://hifipig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF7579.jpg

It got star billing in my show report for hifi pig http://hifipig.com/hifi-wigwam-scalford-2012-show-report/#more-819

[paulf-2007]

I can't say for certain that all the turntables supplied without plinths would fit my plinth although the dp5000 mounting template looks the same shape it shows dimensions for four models of turntable, mine is not listed on the dp5000 template. On vinyl engines database it only shows templates for the models supplied without a plinth, maybe because the others should have a plinth and the cut out would be in the plinth.

I will post photos of the build tomorrow. Well you asked for it. :)

[myles]

Myles,

Whilst I think that your 'joke' may have been taken the wrong way, and you'll be given the benefit of the doubt for that, please do not refer to the moderators here in such a dismissive or derogatory manner. You're just back from a week's ban, so I'd tread a little more carefully, if I were you, and not draw such negative attention to yourself and that includes putting silly names on your profile]! ;)

Anyway, let's move on.

Marco.

Paul, sorry about once again going off topic on your thread but I must protest here. Tell me Marco, who has the silly name on their profile? Only me? It's about time we ALL stuck to the AUP, isn't it?

[Marco]

Myles, I'm not getting drawn into an argument with you. You know what you put on your profile, and that you were taking the piss, so give it a rest. There is also no AUP here, simply an ethos.

Now, I insist that the thread gets back on topic. You need to learn when to STFU and behave. Any further off-topic remarks will be deleted without further notice.

Marco.

[paulf-2007]

ok some pics of the build, the denon turntable spindle is off centre to the outside diameter of the chassis so its not possible to scribe a line from the spindle to get the perimeter of the plinth. I made two templates, one with the cut out for the chassis and one not cut out with centre for the perimeter. Both templates have holes cut for the 25mm radius of the legs that are set into the plinth side except the top layer that has no cut out. Also three holes for locating dowels to keep everything in place while cutting the holes and marking the centre so I could scribe the perimeter. I will take photos of the template when I get time. Once the holes were cut and perimeter marked I rough cut the perimeter on the bandsaw and then set up the router to cut the perimeter accurately.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0495.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0495.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

I glued up the six layers of ply and then veneered the top layer before gluing it to the rest.http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0498.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0498.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

here it is glued up and waiting for sanding before veneer.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0499.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0499.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

glued the rosewood veneer with contact adhesive, leaving each segment between the leg cut outs to dry before gluing the next.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0500.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0500.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

the last side piece in place and sanded the corners
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0501.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0501.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

I glued a small piece above the leg cut out separately as it was easier than trying to include it with a main side piece. Here it is glued but not trimmed
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0506.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0506.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

the control panel is brown and the other two thirds was a dirty silver so I rubbed it down, masked it carefully and sprayed it Nissan D14 Tickford green.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0513.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0513.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

I started to make the arm pod but my lathe is knackered to put it technically, so much backlash in all the slides so I got lots of chatter, so I gave it to a friend to finish turning to length and to make the hole in the 10mm top plate to mount the arm. I hope to get it back soon so I can cut the top plate to size and bolt it to the pod.

[jandl100]

:stalks: That's just awesome, Paul!

I bet my old Denon tt would have sounded bloody marvellous housed in that. :doh: :)

Good choice of green paint, too. Love that.

[shane]

What glue did you use to bond the layers of plywood?

[paulf-2007]

Thanks Jerry, I am hoping it will sound good but it doesn't have as much mass as I would have liked being round. It may be form over function, fingers crossed. I don't know if all the Denon tt's have damped two piece platters as mine does but I don't see the point of a thick rubber mat with a damped platter, I will be using my copper mat with it. All that damping may be the reason people say they sound dull. Time will tell.


I used gorilla glue, small amount and quite expensive.

[hoopsontoast]

Looking good Paul, I like the Rosewood finish. :)

[YNWaN]

Very nice job :).

[Ali Tait]

Lovely job!

Looks like your router spun out of control and dented your Focus though.. :D

[paulf-2007]

Lovely job!

Looks like your router spun out of control and dented your Focus though.. :Dnah, not my car mate, :)

[paulf-2007]

here are the templates I tried to describe
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0520.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0520.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

I knocked up a wood arm pod to try out the turntable. mounted the audiomods and benz wood sl. Gobsmacked really, the best detail retrieval of any turntable I have owned or heard for that matter. Bass is pretty special too.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0521.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0521.jpg.html)

oh and last night I thought I haven't screwed the turntable to the plinth yet.

[paulf-2007]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0524.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0524.jpg.html)

[Spectral Morn]

Its a wonderful thing to have such skill, ability and a workshop in which to make. Lovely job, well done.

[Tim]

That's a thing of beauty, nice one :)

Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

[paulf-2007]

thanks guys, workshop? its a total mess, just enough room to stand at the moment. My workshop is in France soon to be moved back to UK but not enough room for everything.

[AudioFreak]

Great skill Paul, a lovely looking and quite unique.

[Havana]

Fantastic stuff. Quality work.

[paulf-2007]

thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. My third attempt at veneering and although not perfect the best so far. I don't think Mr Chippendale has anything to worry about.

[Qwin]

Nice skills Paul and great result.
I've always liked the round Denon Direct drives and their DIY possibilities, I ended up going the Techniques rout with my builds, mainly because there are just so many of them around, meaning spares, used or new are easy to find. I almost pulled the trigger on a few Denons that were being ignored on the Bay, so I can fully appreciate the attraction to this deck. You have something to be proud of their and I bet it sounds great too.:thumbsup:

[Floyddroid]

Gorgeous. Exquisite work.
Having recently sold my 401 and lenco ptp and always wanted a denon I managed to find a nice DP80 and went about making a plinth.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0515.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0515.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

Nice skills Paul and great result.
I've always liked the round Denon Direct drives and their DIY possibilities, I ended up going the Techniques rout with my builds, mainly because there are just so many of them around, meaning spares, used or new are easy to find. I almost pulled the trigger on a few Denons that were being ignored on the Bay, so I can fully appreciate the attraction to this deck. You have something to be proud of their and I bet it sounds great too.:thumbsup:
Thanks Ken, you may have been wise not to buy some of the denon's you have seen for sale as I suspect some of the lesser models don't measure up to the DP80. The 3 phase motor and excellent engineering is far better than the others and probably why people have found some of the units to sound bland. Some blame the fruit box plinths for this but I'm not sure that's the problem as my plinth is hardly high mass, its about 5" deep and the wall thickness is only 2" in places. When I remove the turntable from the plinth to finish the plinth with shellac and finish the sub plinth I will try it without any plinth to see how it performs. As I said I haven't yet screwed the turntable to the plinth. Thanks also to Steve for your positive comments.

[paulf-2007]

My mate finished machining the arm pod and bored the hole in the 10mm aluminium arm board and dropped them off this morning on his way to work. My lathe is cream crackered so the reason I asked him to help out. I marked out the shape of the arm board and cut it with a hacksaw and sanded to size. Drilled the arm board and pod and fixed with 6mm countersunk socket stainless screws.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0531%20-%20Copy.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0531%20-%20Copy.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0533%20-%20Copy.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0533%20-%20Copy.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0534.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0534.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

arm pod will be polished whilst the new sub plinth is being water jet cut from 20mm aluminium. Contacted a company I used before to cut some stainless and they are prepared to cut it for me. http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0533_1.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0533_1.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

I would like to say its finished. The 20mm aluminium sub plinth arrived and I drilled the indentations for the spike feet and the hole for the arm pod mounting bolt. I phoned round the local polishers and they are all flat out, seems the motorcycle enthusiasts are busy getting their bikes ready now that spring has arrived, someone should tell the weather its spring. So for now its in the listening room and working nice. I will entice my mate over for a listen and hopefully he will go away with the sub plinth under his arm as he has a polisher.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0550.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0550.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0552.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0552.jpg.html)

[Spectral Morn]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0552.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0552.jpg.html)

Stunning, simply stunning. I take my hat of to you sir and raise a glass :cool:

How does it sound ?

[Ali Tait]

Indeed, lovely job!

Is the arm pod rotateable to accomodate other arms?

[jandl100]

Eee. Paul's an imaginative designer and all round clever bugger, isn't he.

Luvverly job. :thumbsup:

[paulf-2007]

thanks guys, yes the arm pod rotates but would depend on the arm mounting. The pod is the right length for the audiomods arm to get vta correct. I haven't allowed for height adjustment of the pod as the audiomods has the micrometer adjustment. If I decide to try the other arms I have I will either make another pod or add to the pod height and make a new top plate to accommodate those arms. Its worth noting that the DP80 won't take an arm with less than 222mm ( rega ) pivot to spindle unless the plinth is made a smaller diameter around the chassis. I may try my 12" rosewood unipivot at some stage but tbh I doubt it will be better than the audiomods. I have the 12" and the Chinese 9" unipivot Jerry saw on the 401 and also an oak 9" that all sound much the same.

Jerry, I should point out that the design is not my idea but a different take on another plinth on diy audio.

[nuff]

I love a good diy thread and I love the turntable even more. Great job Paul, it looks very very nice.

[paulf-2007]

Stunning, simply stunning. I take my hat of to you sir and raise a glass :cool:

How does it sound ?thanks Neil, sounds great, better than my 401 and lenco ptp which is a relief as they are both sold.

[Spectral Morn]

thanks Neil, sounds great, better than my 401 and lenco ptp which is a relief as they are both sold.

Lots of folks moving away from 401s which makes me wonder what it is that keeps folks saying they, more the 301, are among the best decks out there. Wondering are folks blinkered, smitten or the decks folks are moving from are in some way not working fully, or plinth is holding them back.

Not wanting to drift your thread, but simply thinking out loud. In what way is the new set up better than your 401 ?

[Ali Tait]

No plans to move away from mine. :-)

[struth]

Green grass maybe. I like the 401.

Lovely finished job Paul. Well done, and good that your happy with the sonic results too. Quite a nice feeling finishing a tt, or any such work of art.

[paulf-2007]

Green grass maybe. I like the 401.

Lovely finished job Paul. Well done, and good that your happy with the sonic results too. Quite a nice feeling finishing a tt, or any such work of art.
Cheers Grant, I also like the 401, I would take a 401 over any modern turntable, what I like about the Denon other than it sounds amazing is its up to speed and stable in under a second. The lenco took half an hour to reach 33.3, the 401 less but still had to manually adjust it as it warmed up.

[Haselsh1]

I am totally envious and completely green at your woodworking skills. I once made a tea trolley but it wobbled.

:eyebrows:

[paulf-2007]

I am totally envious and completely green at your woodworking skills. I once made a tea trolley but it wobbled.

:eyebrows:
They say the camera never lies but it looks better on here than close up. But not bad, I am pleased with it but like most hobby wood workers if I did it again it would be better. It will be great to get my workshop set up again now that we are back in the uk from France.

[British high fidelity]

Wow wow wow a true masterpiece sir, well done

Sent from my LG-H961N using Tapatalk

[paulf-2007]

Arm pod and sub plinth now polished and installed
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0572.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0572.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

another shot
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0575.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0575.jpg.html)

[struth]

Arm pod and sub plinth now polished and installed
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0572.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0572.jpg.html)

Thats a really nice shot

[rigger67]

Absolutely stunning.

Truly beautiful ..


One thought though : what about a lid ?? :scratch::D

[Spectral Morn]

another shot
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0575.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0575.jpg.html)

Stunning - well done.

[walpurgis]

One thought though : what about a lid ?? :scratch::D

Something like this? ;)

http://i66.tinypic.com/erhjlx.jpg

Very nice TT by the way :)!

[Audio Al]

Something like this? ;)

http://i64.tinypic.com/nc11ue.jpg

Very nice TT by the way :)!

ONLY if I get the cake :D

[YNWaN]

That base has come out well, I bet you are pleased :) :).

[paulf-2007]

Thanks guys, yes a lid is on the cards, been looking into getting one made. Sora do one that is sent flat packed and screws together, can just about get away with the biggest one they do. Just concerned about catching the arm

The base was water jet cut and was as rough as a rough thing. I used a power file on the edge and an electric sander on the flat surface, sanded to 600 grade with scotch brite pads. Then my mate had the hard job polishing on a pedestal polisher, the plate is heavy enough without holding it against the buffing wheel.

[paulf-2007]

Maybe a tube like the transporter on Star Trek that raises up when I want to use the tt

[Gazjam]

An idea jumps out at me... :)
Similar to the Michell Unicover, Clear perspex lid with 3 chrome spike legs that end on rubber tipped feet.
These rubber 3 feet sit on the 3 outer cylinders, the perspex extending up n over the tonearm.

Doesnt look like a cake stand and keeps everything dust free.

[paulf-2007]

An idea jumps out at me... :)
Similar to the Michell Unicover, Clear perspex lid with 3 chrome spike legs that end on rubber tipped feet.
These rubber 3 feet sit on the 3 outer cylinders, the perspex extending up n over the tonearm.

Doesnt look like a cake stand and keeps everything dust free.if you mean sit on the three rosewood legs set into the main plinth then that's probably not going to work as the legs are cut at about 45 degrees. Unless I centre drill them to take a spike, but that's a leap of faith I'm not sure I want to take.

[danilo]

Dunno if useful.. Google/youtube up a DIY on a Plexi/plastic Heat Bend table.
Reasonably simple to cobble up.
One can build one's own design Dust cover or? fairly easily using the said bender.
Best thing is Plexi reverts to it's flat sheet form.. under reheat.. If (when :-) you bungle something

[paulf-2007]

The michel unicover I saw sits on the platter and covers the tone arm, looks ideal

[Gazjam]

Yup, have one myself they are great.
Problem I have Paul is that my Gyro has a lot of itself outside the Unicover open to the elements, and not being the keenest of duster it can get a bit dusty.

not so much of a problem with your circular design, so maybe a winner?

[paulf-2007]

Had a day of fannying about with the turntable and decided to fit the Stax UA-70 12" arm. It arrived in a few days from Russia and no import tax or vat to pay. It has a 3 screw fixing like an old rega so I had to work out where to drill the holes as the spindle has a key and the collar with a keyway so has to be in the right place. Well I managed to get it a bit wrong due to the bias mechanism fouling on the arm when it goes to the centre of the record. So had to drill and tap the 3mm holes again. No worries though as they are not seen. Luckily my arm pod was the right height for this arm otherwise it would have meant making a new one.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0579.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0579.jpg.html)

[paulf-2007]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/paulf_2007/DSC_0583.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/paulf_2007/media/DSC_0583.jpg.html)

You can see the bias set up, very easy to set, take the vtf 1.8gms and slide the weight on the spindle to 1.8gms or as near to 2gms as you think. Had some issues to start and after testing the tone arm cable through to the headshell I found two cartridge tags touching. I have the SAE1000LT playing through a 1:2 step up and Yaqin stage and its sounding excellent.

[paulf-2007]

photos were taken before I noticed the arm lift was up and the stylus was playing, some adjustment needed and all now as it should be.:o

[danilo]

That's indeed a spectacular piece of gear.
I'm envious.
Does seem as a wee bit incongruous though playing a 25 Cent (local thrift shop pricings) 45 'single' :eyebrows:

[paulf-2007]

That's indeed a spectacular piece of gear.
I'm envious.
Does seem as a wee bit incongruous though playing a 25 Cent (local thrift shop pricings) 45 'single' :eyebrows:
Ahem, I'll have you know that's an original Nina Simone classic :)
Reason for the single is its.....great

[Gazjam]

if you mean sit on the three rosewood legs set into the main plinth then that's probably not going to work as the legs are cut at about 45 degrees. Unless I centre drill them to take a spike, but that's a leap of faith I'm not sure I want to take.

The inbuilt compliance of the rubber feet will take care of that.
Dont think in terms of "I need to put spikes projecting upwards from the rosewood feet"...all you need is rubber footed spikes projecting downwards from the "Michell Unicover platter based datum point" to the rosewood 3 external feet.
The value on the Y axis will be the same for all three rosewood legs. (Assuming the cut angle is the same?)
No matter the angle of dangle, rubber coated feet will look for the smallest contact point.

Think of it in terms of looking in plan view, with the 3 rubber footed legs pressing downwards.

Question is...the Unicover is a great solution, but do you want to tweak it?
Do you kbnow someone that can shape perspex?
Assuming given the great work you've done already your very familiar with "pride of ownership"?

For a one off solution I would! :)

[paulf-2007]

Rather than risk the legs slipping on the slippery waxed rosewood slope I could sit the legs on the flat surface of the plinth around the turntable chassis. All I'll need is a flat piece of acrylic and the legs.