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da2222
23-10-2018, 15:52
Hi Guys

I'm seriously considering buying a Russ Collinson cherry plinth for my 401 but am a little concerned about the space (or lack of) for the motor as it relates to the possibility of overheating. Living in Italy the temperatures do get high in summer... Am I over thinking this or is it worthy of consideration?

Also, have any of you compared the sonic qualities of the RC solid cherry plinth with his Classic one (layered ply with hardwood top)? I'm undecided which of the two to go for. Thanks very much!

montesquieu
23-10-2018, 16:27
I had one for my previous 401, going back 10 or so years, with an early Thomas Schick arm (in fact there's a pic of it on Russ's web site - reproduced below). Never had any hassles with mine admittedly in not so sunny Berkshire. But I'm sure if you have concerns he'd open up the aperture for you.

I sold this in favour of a Townshend Rock Reference, followed by Voyd The Voyd (3 motor) but went back to an idler after a year or two (TD124, now Schoppered) and have stuck with that ever since.

http://layers-of-beauty.co.uk/187-thickbox_default/classic-layers-of-beauty-garrard-301-plinth.jpg

tlscapital
23-10-2018, 16:45
Hi Guys

I'm seriously considering buying a Russ Collinson cherry plinth for my 401 but am a little concerned about the space (or lack of) for the motor as it relates to the possibility of overheating. Living in Italy the temperatures do get high in summer... Am I over thinking this or is it worthy of consideration?

Such considerations can only be answered by a ventilation system if ever... Are you planning to keep it running continuously for 24 hours to cause such heat-up ? My guess is that such thick plinth isolate some it from heat changes as well. You're not going to sunbathe your tutrntable I hope... LOL !


Also, have any of you compared the sonic qualities of the RC solid cherry plinth with his Classic one (layered ply with hardwood top)? I'm undecided which of the two to go for. Thanks very much!

A plinth doesn't have "sonic qualities" as such. Yet one can refer to the "sonic signature" of a (whole) turntable. But I get your point. The purpose of a plinth is to isolate the cartridge signal from external interferences and through it's mass give it enough inertia to allow better "trouble free" stylus/cartridge tracking.

Depending on the rest of your phono chain, if yours is of the "clear" and "dynamic" kind, likely you don't want to over dampen your turntable as this will muffle the sound and might kill some or a lot of the "clarity" and the "dynamic" of your beloved sound.

It's hard to tell before hand and I am with my suspended sub-chassis Thorens turntable. Any changes that tends to muffle my sound is immediately reversed. Some seem to need or prefer to damp their transcription Garrard 301 & 401 turntable plinths where others fix them on an "open desk" support with the "open-air" bottom...

Two very different school and approach and I guess "sonic signature"... Experiment is the best way for one to know what suits him best.

da2222
23-10-2018, 18:13
Thanks Tom, how did you find the 401 in that particular plinth, were you happy with the sonic signature?


I had one for my previous 401, going back 10 or so years, with an early Thomas Schick arm (in fact there's a pic of it on Russ's web site - reproduced below). Never had any hassles with mine admittedly in not so sunny Berkshire. But I'm sure if you have concerns he'd open up the aperture for you.



http://layers-of-beauty.co.uk/187-thickbox_default/classic-layers-of-beauty-garrard-301-plinth.jpg

da2222
23-10-2018, 18:21
Such considerations can only be answered by a ventilation system if ever... Are you planning to keep it running continuously for 24 hours to cause such heat-up ?

Hi Tim, perhaps I should have elaborated; humidity is very high in the north of Italy so although my turntable will *clearly* not be any where near the sun, temperatures indoors can get up to 30 degrees. I've heard 401s run hot, hence my concern...


A plinth doesn't have "sonic qualities" as such. Yet one can refer to the "sonic signature" of a (whole) turntable. But I get your point. The purpose of a plinth is to isolate the cartridge signal from external interferences and through it's mass give it enough inertia to allow better "trouble free" stylus/cartridge tracking.

Depending on the rest of your phono chain, if yours is of the "clear" and "dynamic" kind, likely you don't want to over dampen your turntable as this will muffle the sound and might kill some or a lot of the "clarity" and the "dynamic" of your beloved sound.

It's hard to tell before hand and I am with my suspended sub-chassis Thorens turntable. Any changes that tends to muffle my sound is immediately reversed. Some seem to need or prefer to damp their transcription Garrard 301 & 401 turntable plinths where others fix them on an "open desk" support with the "open-air" bottom...

Two very different school and approach and I guess "sonic signature"... Experiment is the best way for one to know what suits him best.

Thanks for the input and yes, experimentation I suppose is the only real way to find out though like most I'd rather not have to spend 1000s doing so :-)

montesquieu
23-10-2018, 18:32
Thanks Tom, how did you find the 401 in that particular plinth, were you happy with the sonic signature?

To be honest, it was my first idler, my first 12 inch arm and my first removable headshell setup (which was great and I promptly went nuts trying out cartridges) - I had had 25 years of an LP12/Ittok before that. So at the time I really had no benchmark for comparison, save to say that I really liked what it did in comparison to the old fruitbox - tons of drive, far better bass and an easy musicality. It was right at the start of a long learning curve for me.

I can only say I really liked it, and very soon after it went I wished I hadn't been so hasty chopping it in for a Rock Reference (it had been hearing a well-set up Rock that had weaned me off the LP12 so I thought I was doing the right thing when the RR came up - I wouldn't make such a radical move these days without a proper comparison first).

I own a 401 again now (bought from Ali Tait on this forum, now in a smaller but deeper layered cherry plinth, with a Phonomac-fettled AT1503 Mk1 broadcast arm on it), and while for my classical stuff I still prefer the TD124, the 401 is a great deck and always very musical and enjoyable especially with jazz and rock. Still an out and out bargain considering what some companies are charging for a plank of painted ply with a motor bolted on the bottom.

I'm not sure I'm really the right person to be discussing whether/how varieties of cherry wood or marine varnish impact the sound - it may well be that an expensively-made plinth does indeed add x per cent to the sound quality but you have to draw the line somewhere and I don't have limitless funds to spend on hifi. Russ has done quite a lot of bits and pieces over the years for me (from plinths to speaker cabinets), he isn't dogmatic in his approach and always happy to accommodate requests, he works fast, his prices are affordable, the work is decent quality and he's never let me down. Can't really say more than that.

Vrajbasi
23-10-2018, 18:44
The 401 in a Collinson plinth is decent for the money it is not likely you will find anything thats as well finished and hes a true gentleman to deal with I had one and was very pleased at the time, I actually preffer sonically the bastin plinth but does look rather heath robinson by comparison and takes for ages to get one I like the idea of separating the motor etc. If you want a overall good value package you can go wrong. I personally would prefer a Rock Reference to a 401 but maybe thats just me I like what they do but why should we all like the same thing life would be very boring if we did. It has to be said that a 401 collinson plinth is a lovely thing indeed and way better than most things out there I am sure you will get lots of enjoyment out of it. If I had more money to spend or waste there are other plinths but hay who cares.

WESTLOWER
23-10-2018, 20:02
I have a Collinson 401 and I’m very happy indeed with it. I have no other reference. As Tom says, not unlimited funds and I agree with Nari, I think you’d be hard pushed to find a better plinth for the 401 at the price point Russ pitches at. Couldn’t be happier with money spent.

da2222
23-10-2018, 20:04
Thanks Adam, good to hear!

da2222
23-10-2018, 20:18
I have a Collinson 401 and I’m very happy indeed with it. I have no other reference. As Tom says, not unlimited funds and I agree with Nari, I think you’d be hard pushed to find a better plinth for the 401 at the price point Russ pitches at. Couldn’t be happier with money spent.

In correspondence with Russ he says the sonic signature of the cherry plinth edges towards 'warm/vintage' while the birch ply errs towards a is a cleaner, crisper tone. I wonder if that's most users experience?

montesquieu
23-10-2018, 20:50
In correspondence with Russ he says the sonic signature of the cherry plinth edges towards 'warm/vintage' while the birch ply errs towards a is a cleaner, crisper tone. I wonder if that's most users experience?

Interesting. My TD124 plinth (also by Russ) is also layered cherry (though it has a solid sapele surround and latterly leather on the top) and I'm very happy with that.

Spectral Morn
23-10-2018, 21:07
In correspondence with Russ he says the sonic signature of the cherry plinth edges towards 'warm/vintage' while the birch ply errs towards a is a cleaner, crisper tone. I wonder if that's most users experience?

So many options, so many flavours. Garrards are a pain, to lock down what might suit.

Riislingen
23-10-2018, 22:30
I'm in Colinson as well, for now 5-6 years. I can wholeheartedly recommend his work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

montesquieu
23-10-2018, 22:37
Think we need some more pics here chaps .... not a 401 though ...

https://i.imgur.com/0tMvKL5.jpg

Riislingen
23-10-2018, 23:28
I like it utilitarian. Basic, very affordable, performant.

IMO it looks and works just great. Had an American made Walnut thing before - this is better.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181023/a6b8a8b4e4c928561814a3e6ff7c2e5d.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WESTLOWER
24-10-2018, 08:36
Layers Of Beauty , Russ Collinson 401

https://i.imgur.com/RkJCmWG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o87rIPg.jpg

Spectral Morn
24-10-2018, 10:26
Very nice photos.

Vrajbasi
24-10-2018, 11:09
Layers Of Beauty , Russ Collinson 401

https://i.imgur.com/RkJCmWG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o87rIPg.jpg

What I love about the collinson plinths is that you can inset the turntable with the RJC it is not possible. Have to say russ does finish them nicely

Vrajbasi
24-10-2018, 11:14
Think we need some more pics here chaps .... not a 401 though ...

https://i.imgur.com/0tMvKL5.jpg

Lovely overall my fav amongst the idlers

WESTLOWER
24-10-2018, 11:37
What I love about the collinson plinths is that you can inset the turntable with the RJC it is not possible. Have to say russ does finish them nicely

Yes, being inset, it sits practically flush with the plinth..
Sounds great to these old ears too..

I Must now get me some Townshend Pods to sit it on

Barry
24-10-2018, 17:29
Layers Of Beauty , Russ Collinson 401

https://i.imgur.com/RkJCmWG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o87rIPg.jpg


Nothing to do with plinths, but I see your SME arm has a custom counterweight. How do you equalise the loading on the knife edge bearings?

montesquieu
24-10-2018, 19:19
Nothing to do with plinths, but I see your SME arm has a custom counterweight. How do you equalise the loading on the knife edge bearings?

https://www.hagagolf.no/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Que1.jpg

WESTLOWER
24-10-2018, 19:38
Nothing to do with plinths, but I see your SME arm has a custom counterweight. How do you equalise the loading on the knife edge bearings?

It’s an old picture...
That is an original weight off my AT arm, it was just heavy enough to make the SPU balance out (Not the cart on the arm I know!) whilst I found an original Heavy split SME counterweight. Which I got from Brian of this parish.

A.Grail
25-10-2018, 01:20
Audio Grail Garrard 401 sable in OMA slate plinth

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/52/8d/2d/528d2d3e01f107214242f70aeef13e9f.jpg

In Collinson Cherry

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/63/04/12/630412f28ba117461bdc58e28d3301f8.jpg

Dubmart
25-10-2018, 12:56
As a test of Photobucket here's my 301 in a Layers Of Beauty plinth, I have a 401 awaiting a service and respray which I intend to place in an identical plinth.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/Dubmart/Garrard%201%203_zpsyk8avdnx.jpg (http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Dubmart/media/Garrard%201%203_zpsyk8avdnx.jpg.html)

WESTLOWER
25-10-2018, 13:02
As a test of Photobucket here's my 301 in a Layers Of Beauty plinth, I have a 401 awaiting a service and respray which I intend to place in an identical plinth.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/Dubmart/Garrard%201%203_zpsyk8avdnx.jpg (http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Dubmart/media/Garrard%201%203_zpsyk8avdnx.jpg.html)

like that!:clap:

da2222
25-10-2018, 18:51
looks stunning... Is that the piano varnish finish?


like that!:clap:

Dubmart
25-10-2018, 19:58
looks stunning... Is that the piano varnish finish?

Yes it is, it's quite a bit of additional money, but in my opinion worth it, my picture doesn't really do it justice, it's much nicer in real life. I know there are dozens of plinth options and I'm not going to claim the Layers Of Beauty is the absolute best, but based on the sound of my 301, (which I love), the way it looks and the quality of construction I have no hesitation in going exactly the same route for my 401 and although I wouldn't call it a cheap plinth compared with much of the competition it's decent value for money.

Vrajbasi
27-10-2018, 08:49
Been offered this one am seriously considering as quite a rare buy a perfect mint very rare 301 DRD5 in a RJC custom plinth.

https://s2.gifyu.com/images/thumbnail-9726b1ce41585a5fc.jpg (https://gifyu.com/image/TNMQ)

Spectral Morn
27-10-2018, 17:22
Been offered this one am seriously considering as quite a rare buy a perfect mint very rare 301 DRD5 in a RJC custom plinth.

https://s2.gifyu.com/images/thumbnail-9726b1ce41585a5fc.jpg (https://gifyu.com/image/TNMQ)

Nice, but at a guess very expensive.

Vrajbasi
27-10-2018, 18:20
Nice, but at a guess very expensive.

Yes very but where will I get one from like it :rolleyes: