New 401

[yolakim]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191013/0dccaa793bb5a1f240fbce182630795f.jpg

Finally got to set up my 401. It has been freshly restored by Peter Soper of Slate Audio and painted in a metallic brown/orange colour. It looks really nice, but I think the colour will clash with most wood plinth finishes? I’ve gone for a black DAS plinth.

Arm is a AudioNote Arm 3 II and cartridge is an AT33/PTG. Hopefully got a Pure Sound Tenuto platter arriving this week and I’d like to add a LDA power supply at some point.

Compared to Roksan Xerxes 20 it is replacing, sound is big and full - very pleased so far!


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[Barry]

Looks lovely Kim. Well done! :)

[yolakim]

Sounds pretty good too [emoji41]


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[montesquieu]

My (slightly dusty) 401 in DAS plinth says hi ....

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

https://i.imgur.com/SkEmIe7.jpg

[yolakim]

...and your 912 says a big “hallo” back!


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[graham67]

Awesome! I am biased but its a great arm for the 401 and the ptg2 works very well on it. The tenuto makes a noticeable upgrade so you are in for an even bigger treat. Lovely deck!

[yolakim]

Thank you a Graham. Arm was Tom’s suggestion and very pleased with it.

Realised that first image is pretty awful (older iPhone in low light), so another couple:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191013/ee62cebe2095cbd5837ca19de003dc2b.jpg


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[yolakim]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191013/5ea24cb2d9c04e503e43ba3f127e77f6.jpg


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[Idlewithnodrive]

Lovely looking deck Kim.

Enjoy.

[Ali Tait]

Very nice indeed. I can highly recommend the LDA power supply, makes a large improvement to my ears.

[graham67]

hi Kim,

Here is my 401 with Arm Three V2 and recently fitted Tenuto mat on a Loricraft plinth.

https://i.imgur.com/hC1PuGR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lCZJ1qq.jpg

I first heard the Arm Three and 401 combo on Doms amazing Snell A system at Scalford several years ago. I think one reason it works well is that the top end sparkle and energy of the Arm Three works compensates for the 401's slightly rolled off treble, a characteristic much reduced by the Tenuto.

I also think the non-rigid bearing (so-called captured unipivot) helps isolate the cart from the mechanical noise.

The OC-9 MLii shown has a similar treble to the PTG2 but is a little leaner which works well in my system which has bass aplenty.

[graham67]

Very nice indeed. I can highly recommend the LDA power supply, makes a large improvement to my ears.

Agree, it is excellent. The 401 speed is voltage dependent so on 21st century mains the pitch instability is obvious and really handicaps the 401, so in my opinion, a PSU is essential on these early 401s.

I have owned a Power Inspired 1500AG, two Loricraft PSUs and now the LDA which is noticeably the best of them all.

[yolakim]

That looks truly stunning Graham!

Looking forward to trying the Tenuto mat which I guess will add a couple of mm to VTA? I wanted to try an Achromat this afternoon, but it wouldn't fit within the lip on the platter.

[graham67]

Hi Kim, thanks for the kind words, and it sounds just as good!

Yes, the tenuto will add to the height. I have a 3mm Tenuto mat which added a bit under 1.5mm and fits perfectly on the 401 platter. The latest 5mm Tenuto will increase that to an extra 3.5mm over the stock mat. But unlike many other lightweight mats, the Tenuto doesn't move or lift off with the record!

I did previously try some other mats but ended up going back to the quicker sounding stock mat. However the Tenuto has made a substantial improvement, more akin to upgrading to a much more expensive cart. Bass is tighter and deeper, treble more open and extended and a bigger soundstage with more detail and reduced hash.

But IMO, the first upgrade should be an external psu. The power inspired 1500 works very well and can be bought cheaply used.

[ovlov854]

Hi Kim Glad you have got it up and running. It looks great
My Voyd is still a WIP.....must now get my finger out

[Ali Tait]

Agree, it is excellent. The 401 speed is voltage dependent so on 21st century mains the pitch instability is obvious and really handicaps the 401, so in my opinion, a PSU is essential on these early 401s.

I have owned a Power Inspired 1500AG, two Loricraft PSUs and now the LDA which is noticeably the best of them all.

Yes agreed, however it’s more than than that- the pollution on our mains effects how the motor runs, which in turn effects the produced sound, the LDA eliminates that.

[yolakim]

Yes agreed, however it’s more than than that- the pollution on our mains effects how the motor runs, which in turn effects the produced sound, the LDA eliminates that.

I'm definitely planning to buy the LDA power supply as I've heard so many good things about it. There seem to be two still available: one with a couple if knobs on the front and a newer version with just a rocker switch on the front - any thoughts about which version to aim for? Just might need to wait until funds allow.


Hi Kim Glad you have got it up and running. It looks great
My Voyd is still a WIP.....must now get my finger out

At least the arm is pretty straightforward to set up Martin! Hope you're well.

[Ali Tait]

The MK II is the one with the two knobs on the front, that’s the latest one.

[DiveDeepDog]

Speed is controlled in AC motors by frequency, in the UK thats pretty accurate. Voltage does alter the speed of Garrard's but so does temperature/state of the bearing ect.

The more advanced power supplies will alter both voltage and frequency to hit a sweet spot between PRAT and drive and vibration reduction. Nothing's ever simple, although if you're getting speed variation beyond the first 30 mins somethings not right...

[yolakim]

The MK II is the one with the two knobs on the front, that’s the latest one.

Ah, thank you [emoji120]


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[Ali Tait]

Speed is controlled in AC motors by frequency, in the UK thats pretty accurate. Voltage does alter the speed of Garrard's but so does temperature/state of the bearing ect.

The more advanced power supplies will alter both voltage and frequency to hit a sweet spot between PRAT and drive and vibration reduction. Nothing's ever simple, although if you're getting speed variation beyond the first 30 mins somethings not right...

Yes, but RF on the mains also affects how smoothly the motor runs, Nick’s supply regenerates to provide a clean wine wave and very accurate constant voltage and frequency figures and it’s this that results in better SQ. Also allows for + or - 3Hz for very accurate speed control.

[DiveDeepDog]

Just had a look at the LDA website. The speed change at the turn of a knobs interesting, that'll alter frequency to the motor.
Do you know what the voltage output is?

[Ali Tait]

Yes very handy with a Lenco, no more fiddling with the speed lever.

It outputs 230v I think.

[Ali Tait]

Oops, think it’s actually 220v.

Review here-

https://theaudiophileman.com/quartz-turntable-supply-news-long-dog-audio/?ct=t%28Newsletter_copy_66_11_5_2016_COPY_147%29&mc_cid=ba36f7bc97&mc_eid=a28f4b4106

[Mike Reed]

Somehow, when I see the lovely 401 with anything other than a 12" SME, it simply doesn't look right.:). My student days 91970 -.73) started with that combo with the ubiquitous V15. No plinth; just a cut out thick shelf/board supported on the wall of my rented room. Hazy days !

[graham67]

I have the earlier V1 LDA PSU and it outputs 230v. I am sure Nick has a reason for changing to 220v so I would give him a call and have a chat.

Unfortunately, IMO, the generic casework on the V2 looks a lot cheaper and loses the lovely integral heatsinks of the V1 in favour of a basic heatsink at the rear.

Here is a review and some pics of the V1

http://the-ear.net/how-to/upgrade-garrard-turntable

[DiveDeepDog]

I'm running my (grease)301 off variac, @ 215v I'm using just a touch of brake. I loose a bit of PRAT/drive but win grace and precision.

The LDA's on my list :eek:

[yolakim]

Unfortunately, IMO, the generic casework on the V2 looks a lot cheaper and loses the lovely integral heatsinks of the V1 in favour of a basic heatsink at the rear.


I think this is why I assumed the V2 was the V1 - the casework looks more like a prototype than the previous version. Either way, it's next on the list.

[Ali Tait]

I have the earlier V1 LDA PSU and it outputs 230v. I am sure Nick has a reason for changing to 220v so I would give him a call and have a chat.

Unfortunately, IMO, the generic casework on the V2 looks a lot cheaper and loses the lovely integral heatsinks of the V1 in favour of a basic heatsink at the rear.

Here is a review and some pics of the V1

http://the-ear.net/how-to/upgrade-garrard-turntable

Got in touch with him last night, voltages are 115 or 225, 60 or 50Hz. He can alter on request.

[graham67]

I'm running my (grease)301 off variac, @ 215v I'm using just a touch of brake. I loose a bit of PRAT/drive but win grace and precision.

The LDA's on my list :eek:

That mirrors my findings when i had a Loricraft PSU with variable voltage. As i listen to a lot of rock and pop i favour timing and energy, so i always had the voltage at max,so this feature is not missed on the V1 LDA ��

[Ali Tait]

It’s not just the voltage, the the RF and harmonics on the mains have a large effect on these AC motors. If you hear one of these you’ll understand what I mean.