Rexton's Rebooted SC35C project

[Wakefield Turntables]

A long time ago I started messing with the SC35C and actually had the thing up for sale. However, after a change of heart I have found all the bits, ordered a full new bits and hope to have some new adventures. Currently I have the Mexico (450pf capacitance) version fitted into a aluminium shell. These are currently coupled to a 15g magnesium head shell with 5N silver cartridge leads. I'm awaiting NOS Shure SC35C stylus, and a JICO SAS/B stylus. My phonostage has been optimised so that the SC35C "SEES" 450 pf per channel. This project will be further enhanced with experimentation using the Orsonic head shell. I'm hoping this project will produce a perosnel "Reference" MM cartridge, maybe even replacing my beloved M55E (which I will never ever sell)! Maybe some pictures later tomorrow when I get some time. :wowzer:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Well that's the EAR 834P clone setup for the SC35C with respects to cartridge loading. I did bugger all! It looks like the M55E (currently set up for this) and the SC35C like to "SEE" 450pf I'm running at about 460-470pf so I'm happy at that. Just need customs to pull a finger out....

[Wakefield Turntables]

Here's a quick picture of how the SC35C looks like today with newly fitted 5N pure silver Furukawa.


https://i.ibb.co/yYkGR8J/WP-20200912-002.jpg

Just waiting for the bloody stylii!!!!!

[Chas B]

Have to say it looks more purposeful without the plastic. Like you, I'm also waiting for my NOS stylus to arrive but I do have a Mexican one which I am able to listen to in the mean-time. What will you do about the plastic around the stylus?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Charlie, you do nothing mate. You just plug the stylus in and play vinyl. :cool:

[Chas B]

Charlie, you do nothing mate. You just plug the stylus in and play vinyl. :cool:

I just mean that without the original plastic body the plastic around the stylus might look peculiar. Which aluminium body have you fitted?

[Wakefield Turntables]

I just mean that without the original plastic body the plastic around the stylus might look peculiar. Which aluminium body have you fitted?

Ah I see! It does look a little weird but perfectly functional, indeed, some even say its microphonic and it causes colouration. I went for the paradox pulse, it's easily found on scumbay.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Now spinning vinyl! Some pictures after the little is asleep.................

[Wakefield Turntables]

https://i.ibb.co/QKWT3KC/WP-20200915-014.jpg

Its taken a lot just to get to this stage. The 301 had a partial rebuild. The Phoenix Engineering system got plumbed in. The tonearm still isn't quite setup but it spins and makes some nice noises. What's more I also have my Garrard 401 plumbed in with a Shure M55E and the very same Phoenix PSU so I can do some comparisons. My SC35C has the Jico NeoSAS/B stylus and at the moment it's dialled in at 1.4g markedly less than the 4g recommended for NOS shure stylus. All I can is that it's very promising and this setup (currently) is matching a £1500 SPU!

[RobbieGong]

Nice one Andy! :thumbsup:

[kininigin]

Hi Andy, glad it's hitting the spot. I too have a jico sas but with a saphire cantilever. It represents great value in my opinion and yes it is different from the nos styli but i think it has it's place with the right type of music (i find it fantastic with atmospheric ambient electronica).

Just be careful if having a session whilst drinking! It has one hell of a thin cantilever :eek:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi Andy, glad it's hitting the spot. I too have a jico sas but with a saphire cantilever. It represents great value in my opinion and yes it is different from the nos styli but i think it has it's place with the right type of music (i find it fantastic with atmospheric ambient electronica).

Just be careful if having a session whilst drinking! It has one hell of a thin cantilever :eek:

Hi Darren, yep the SC35C is a star performer and one i'd been mucking around with before Marco went on his voyage of discovery. My own SC35C project never really took off but I'm now very well stocked up. I have the JICO neoSAS/B stylus and a NOS Shure stylus. I've had a real bloody nightmare with a ground loop hum which I've now managed to eradicate but I really do need to work a little more on the Garrard 301 as I'm still getting quite an amount of Hum through the speakers and whilst I can't hear it whilst music is playing I'm sure it's having a negative effect on the music. I'm happy to report back that the SC35C needs a decent MM phonostage with plenty of gain and the correct capacitance loading, it's easily better than many carts costing north of £1K. Mines not properly setup yet and it still sounds pretty darn fine! I'll post some pictures later.

[kininigin]

Hi Darren, yep the SC35C is a star performer and one i'd been mucking around with before Marco went on his voyage of discovery. My own SC35C project never really took off but I'm now very well stocked up. I have the JICO neoSAS/B stylus and a NOS Shure stylus. I've had a real bloody nightmare with a ground loop hum which I've now managed to eradicate but I really do need to work a little more on the Garrard 301 as I'm still getting quite an amount of Hum through the speakers and whilst I can't hear it whilst music is playing I'm sure it's having a negative effect on the music. I'm happy to report back that the SC35C needs a decent MM phonostage with plenty of gain and the correct capacitance loading, it's easily better than many carts costing north of £1K. Mines not properly setup yet and it still sounds pretty darn fine! I'll post some pictures later.

It is indeed a star performer, which is why i've been using it the last 8 years with great pleasure and only very recently buying an SPU just to hear what an MC could do as i've never heard one before.

Ground loops are a pita but glad you have mostly got rid of it. I've recieved my loading plugs today (same as Marco mentions) and yes they do tidy things up nicely. I've never heard a £1K cart and probably never will :lol:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Stick with your SC35c and you won't need a £1k cart:cool:

[Wakefield Turntables]

This project has had more set backs than BREXIT. I now think that the tonearm has lost its intrinsic earthing, it hums like a bugger. So the sc35c has only been used once. Ahh ho-hum, this is what you get for running a vintage rig, so now I guess it's either the 401 or the 1210 to spin vinyl.