View Full Version : Heybrook TT2 - Restoration Thread
Wakefield Turntables
11-09-2022, 19:20
Part I - Itch / scratched.....
Hello guys/gals it's been a while since I've done one of these, I'd be hankering after a new project and always wanted a TT2, so when a sorry looking example ended up on ebay I decided to pull the trigger. This example is a sub <500 serial number and as such has the heavier chassis. The TT2 I purchased also had a lot of problems :-
1. No lid
2. No hinges
3. No TT2 badge on the turntable lid.
4. Platter was filthy
5. No baseboard fitted.
6. No baseboard feet.
7. BARRY HAS VERY GOOD EYES!
8. Belt filthy.
9. Belt spindle filthy.
10. Suspension completely a kilter.
11. No power lead.
12. No tonearm.
13. No tonearm cable.
14. No platter mat.
15. Thrust pad showed signs of wear.
16. Needed a new oil change.
17. Veneer scratched and dull in places.
18. Black base paint and top plate sctratch and warn.
Apart from all those things it was a mint example of a TT2. The TT2 was purchased as a trip down memory lane with respects to belt drive technology and suspension platter damping! I alreadty own a Thornens TD160 super and whilst this is a nice deck it's not the same as a TT2. The 160 Super has a horid little motor that oftens knocks and is quite noisy in operation, these of course can be fixed but at an expense, there is none of this nonsense with the TT2, it's a very quite deck. The TT2 is the main source in my "REAL SOUND" system which I have documented on another thread elsewhere on forum. OK, next time we shall have some pictures. Stay tuned... :cool:
Was the Heybrook a poor man’s Linn?
What is the difference between problem 7 and 12? ;)
Was the Heybrook a poor man’s Linn?
No, the Linn was for audiophiles who were also PRaTs. ;)
Wakefield Turntables
11-09-2022, 19:37
What is the difference between problem 7 and 12? ;)
:lol: None, I'm just stupid!
:lol:
No, the Linn was for audiophiles who were also PRaTs. ;)
:lol:
:lol: None, I'm just stupid!
I've just seen your edit - touché. :)
Anyway good luck with the restoration. It should make a nice project.
Wakefield Turntables
11-09-2022, 19:40
Was the Heybrook a poor man’s Linn?
Nope! Depends on who you believe. I've had a LP12 and it was a bloody nightmare setting the thing up, the TT2 was done in less than 30 minutes. The TT2 never went under as many revisions as the LP12, no continual upgrade path, no bullshit, just a really good honest TT that gets the job done.
I know someone who has been hooked into the LP12 upgrade path and the cost has been eye watering! He also uses their cartridges :eek: I think it’s the Ekstatic at over £5000!
Wakefield Turntables
11-09-2022, 20:03
I think my upgrade path has cost me <£200 but that's because I've had to order a few bits from Italy and the USA to complete my TT2. TBH there really isn't an upgrade path for a TT2, maybe a new belt, a splash of oil, some veneer treatment......... Certainly no PSU costing several grand, or a new sub-chasis needing a bank loan, or a tonearm costing a testicle.
I think my upgrade path has cost me <£200 but that's because I've had to order a few bits from Italy and the USA to complete my TT2. TBH there really isn't an upgrade path for a TT2, maybe a new belt, a splash of oil, some veneer treatment......... Certainly no PSU costing several grand, or a new sub-chasis needing a bank loan, or a tonearm costing a testicle.
:lol:
Watching with interest!
Something you mention here and in the TT2 info thread is niggling me. You say that the thrust pad is worn. The bearing as supplied consisted of a flat ground on the bottom of the platter spindle sitting on a steel ball in the bottom of the bearing housing, so there is no thrust pad as such. I just wondered if someone might have tried to modify it? Many similar turntables use a PTFE disc as a thrust pad, which I’ve never really liked the idea of.
Photos could be useful…
Wakefield Turntables
12-09-2022, 07:38
Hi Shane I meant the ball bearing is worn and not a thrust pad. I’ve yet to magnet this out and rotate it.
Ah. Good. What’s the bottom of the spindle like?
Wakefield Turntables
14-09-2022, 19:05
Part II - Crap customer service.
Part of this resto has been getting an arm which works well with the deck and hopefully maximise it's potential. My chosen steed was the Alphason HR100s, my example has been upto Audio Origami and had a full fettle, and, thankfully the arm was in wonderful condition. I have however in the mists of time managed to lose my bias weight which is a big problem when the arm is no longer made and you can't trust sellers to make something that you have no information on. So, Alphason, are still in business and supply spare bits and bobs. A quick email and £28 later I paid my money and expected the new part 1-2 days later. Three weeks pass, a couple of lame excuses and a threat of action results in bugger all from Alphason. Turns out postage (charges at £5) was less than £2, and £26 for the weight itself. Now, I'm all for a company making money but this takes the urine. So, the moral of this story, use the forums and see if someone can weigh the bias weight from their Alphason tonearm and then get someone to turn one of a Lathe, probably no cheaper but probably come through the post quicker without the bullshit. Lesson learned......
Stay tuned.
Wakefield Turntables
14-09-2022, 19:08
Ah. Good. What’s the bottom of the spindle like?
Hi Shane, it looks to be in good nick. I'll try and get some pictures when I have a little spare time.
Wakefield Turntables
15-09-2022, 19:36
Part III - A little cosmetic progress.
The TT2 was very dirty and quite tatty when it arrived.
A quick look under the hood revealed the dust and crap that had collected for many years.
https://i.ibb.co/ctrP8Xb/WP-20220829-007.jpg
A look under the platter showed an oil leak, grease and general gunk.
https://i.ibb.co/G388RQX/WP-20220829-008.jpg
This is just some of the dirt, grease, oil, that was removed after a basic cleaning session with IPA.
https://i.ibb.co/7WzDgLs/WP-20220829-010.jpg
The platter was extremely dirty, so out came the bench polisher and this is what was achieved.
https://i.ibb.co/7r5Rsp1/WP-20220904-002.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Y32zNZ0/WP-20220910-002.jpg
No baseboard.... and then we have a lovely new fabricated baseboard but no feet :doh:.
https://i.ibb.co/WtM3ZcH/WP-20220911-003.jpg
This did give me the idea oppotunity to make sire that all the springs were properly aligned with the red triangles.
https://i.ibb.co/CBwtWYQ/WP-20220911-005.jpg
Walnut veneer and black base quite tatty, that's another job for another update.
https://i.ibb.co/kHpGJx4/WP-20220829-016.jpg
Finally, a quick shot showing the TT being completely level and this enabled the setting up of the spring suspension and the platter.
https://i.ibb.co/JH4cbXc/WP-20220829-012.jpg
I'll discuss some of the fun and games setting the TT up next time.
Stay tuned... :cool:
karma1967
16-09-2022, 16:31
Part III -
https://i.ibb.co/Y32zNZ0/WP-20220910-002.jpg
Stay tuned... :cool:
are you sure you have the correct mounting distance andy? the 2m black should look like this.
you have yours way to far back unless the hole for the tonearm is not correct.
https://i.postimg.cc/JzC6fy8F/SDC10724-2.jpg
you have yours way to far back unless the hole for the tonearm is not correct.
Wakefield Turntables
16-09-2022, 18:37
Hi Jamie, yep set this up with Baerweld tracking with Feickert alignment
https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/dr-feickert-mkii-cartridge-alignment-tool.
Tonearm board is the original from Alphason for Linn tonearms, the HR100S just drops straight in with a mounting distance of 211mm. My Fozgometer measures
very good equal channel seperation and the 2MB is sitting plumb central.
karma1967
16-09-2022, 19:07
somethings not right andy,do you have an overhang of 18mm?
Wakefield Turntables
16-09-2022, 19:10
Which protracter did you use? I note that 18mm over hang is the recommended on Vinyl Engine.
karma1967
17-09-2022, 04:35
211mm for your mounting hole and using Baerwald alignment gives you an 18mm overhang. to check measure from the centre of the spindle to the centre of the tonearm,in this case the top horizontal bearing screw.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 07:34
It's all good, everything checks out. I think I know why it looks a little strange. I think I took that photo just as I'd bolted on the 2MB and then I tweaked alignment at a later time, this may explain why the cartridge looks out of alignment??
karma1967
18-09-2022, 16:19
ah ok,i must admit to having an urge to get another heybrook/alpahson combo. it was very good!
Wakefield Turntables
18-09-2022, 18:33
TBH Jamie it did surprise me a little, the Alphason never really worked well with the Lenco that I had it bolted to. I also very briefly tried it with a Garrard 401 and again, no sonic magic. The TT2 is also a big, big surprise, I'd always wanted to try one and one came up that was cheap enough. I figured I could have some fun and then sell on if I didn't like it. I'm keeping mine! I hate to say this but the deck does have really good PRaT (cringe)... :) It's better than my old LP12. The Alphason+TT2+2M Black really gel together synergystically. I've had quite a few different genre's on the system over the last two days and I can honestly say that the deck has handled everything with aplomb. Modding the TT2 is a virtual no-no as it's so well designed, it just needs a little TLC and your away.
Am I right in saying they you’re running the TT2 through an Isokinetic PSU? If so, once you’ve got used to the system I’d be very interested to know your opinion on how much difference there is between that and connecting directly to the mains.
there were only ever two major changes to the TT2, which were the cast chassis (a retrograde step in my opinion, although many people prefer it) and the TPS1 PSU which was very similar to the Isokinetic. Since the TPS1 was introduced years after I left Heybrook I never got to hear one myself so I’ve often wondered how much difference it makes.
Wakefield Turntables
19-09-2022, 18:41
Yes I'm using the Isokinetik PSU, it's a mk2 I think. I have to admit that I've only used the deck with the external PSU, this example came with a plug and no TPS1 PSU. I haven't tried the deck without the Isokinetik PSU, so I will at your request reverse the deck so that it plays directly from the wall supply but that won't be for sometime until I've fully refurbed the deck. I think it would make a very interesting experiment.
Thanks! No rush, it’s probably 30 years since the TPS1 was added so I can wait a few months longer. ��
Wakefield Turntables
24-09-2022, 18:32
Part IV - What's happening?
I've stalled the refurbishment for a wee while, I'm just having too much of a gas listening to stuff with the Alphason and Ortofon 2MB cartridge combination. All I can say is that me and another 2M Black junkie should with a little luck be doing something a bit weird and wonderful and lots of fun! Stay tuned I guess. I do have some more new parts for the TT2, perhaps tomorrow if I get a little time I might do another mini-mini update.
Stay tuned.....:cool:
Wakefield Turntables
02-10-2022, 07:34
Hopefully an update later!
Wakefield Turntables
02-10-2022, 18:43
Part V - More progress in the midst of a MM cart shoot out.
Hello pop pickers! The TT2 continues to be slowly restored. I've had a solid two weeks listening to a Ortofon 2M Black on the TT2 and have come to the conclusion that it's an excellent synergy between the TT2+2MB+Alphason arm. I'm very lucky to have found such a wonderous trio. Time moves on and I'll soon be plumbing the Shure SC35C + JICO SAS/B stylus back into the mix to conclude my MM cartridge shoot out, this will be phase 3 of a few very long sessions getting to grips with the TT2 and the various Shure+Ortofon carts. It's been a blast and the "REAL SOUND" system has proven to be amazing! I've found a few new pics of the TT2. The first picture shows what the belt spindle looked like after nearly 40 years.
https://i.ibb.co/fNRgD5M/WP-20220829-005.jpg
As we can see a load of old rubber. This was cleaned off with IPA and we now have a lovely clean pulley. This TT2 runs @ 33.5 rpm which fits with what Shane mentioned with regards it's design. I would say that the Thorens have the better speed stability and on occasion I've had several running @ 33.3rpm, but usually within +/- 0.01 rpm. I'm not going to get into buying new belts for this TT2 and view the original belt as being more than adequate, especially after 2-3 weeks solid
listening producing excellent sonics. I would say that the TT2 has the better motor than the Thorens decks, it seems to have more torque and more importantly is silent, non of the dreaded Thorens knock on this motor.
The next picture is quite important as it shows quite a few things that have been bought for the TT2.
https://i.ibb.co/zxq01D8/WP-20221002-003.jpg
Firstly we have some nice new original (LINN) hinges which are I believe exactly the same as the original TT2. The dust cover is from a Thorens TD160 and will for the moment have to do. I also managed to get a new TT2 metal badge made for the dust cover and at some point I'll get an original dust cover made, these can be purchased from eBay to the exact Linn measurements. You'll also notice a black felt platter mat.
https://i.ibb.co/WH9drdM/WP-20220925-004.jpg
The above picture shows the now complete full loom of Dueleund "REAL SOUND" cabling. I whipped up a quick tonearm cable and terminated it with Duelund RCA's. You can also see the new TT2 badge :D. Finally and probably not very importantly I finally managed to get the cabling all nice and tidy. I made several new power leads from odds and sods in my spares box, cabling was belden screened which I use in all my systems and I had a few decent plugs that I fitted, all IEC at the other end were pure copper Furutech jobbies. Overall not bad!
https://i.ibb.co/1QGtzKZ/WP-20220925-005.jpg
I started out with quite a list of jobs which needed doing on the TT2 of which most have been completed. The paint and veneer need to be restored but that's for another day. This week see's the installation of the SC35C for comparison up against the 2M Black.
Stay tuned...... :cool:
Lids, hinges and felt mats for the TT2 were all bought in from Linn, so your new hinges are correct. Ivor was always very helpful, I guess he didn’t see us as a serious rival and if you look at it in terms of product life and numbers sold, he wasn’t wrong!
The motor was the same Impex/Philips/Premotec/Airpax unit that was used by Linn, Rega and countless others. Unless you had the resources to design and manufacture your own, there wasn’t anything better you could get. It was nicely made and reliable, easy to implement and with the addition of a thrust pad on the bottom bearing it was pretty quiet.
Wakefield Turntables
30-10-2022, 18:26
Pt VI - Back in Black!
It's been a while since I did any work on the deck and today I thought I'd like to spend a little time getting the paintwork looking good again. My TT2 has been around for quite some time and a lot of the black paint has started to flake and fall away. Today I masked everything up and started to respray the various components.
https://i.ibb.co/b5nvbH1/IMG-0188.jpg
I even sprayed the underside of the deck, just purely for completeness. As you can see from the next batch of shots the deck was in a pretty poor state and it looks like the plinth might have take a bash. I filled in the crack, sanded down and resprayed.
https://i.ibb.co/HTvNB33/IMG-0189.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/2hpMj4b/IMG-0190.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/g3ky08W/IMG-0191.jpg
And now a shot of the resprayed top plate and arm board. I'm very happy with the finish.
https://i.ibb.co/BZ2gFyh/IMG-0192.jpg
And now a couple of shots of the "skirt" around the deck.
https://i.ibb.co/r0X0JWs/IMG-0194.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Gdmy5zP/IMG-0195.jpg
The TT2 still needs the woodwork veneer restoring and a proper Linn dust cover, but one thing at a time, I've really enjoyed the painting session today. :D
For some reason I cant see any pics Andy?
Wakefield Turntables
30-10-2022, 19:27
Everything is ok on my Laptop, Jim.
yup i see them too. good pictorial
Wakefield Turntables
30-10-2022, 19:49
iPhone 12, better than last phone and easy to transfer stuff over to PC.
brian2957
30-10-2022, 20:50
I'm seeing the pictures fine here too. Nice work Andrew. Did you use Deuland cable for the tonearm cable? I thought using unshielded cable for a tonearm cable was a no-no.
Wakefield Turntables
30-10-2022, 21:05
Brian, yep used unshielded cabling, no problems. A tiny, tiny, bit of hum but the EAR 834 clone is very prone to this and it's only heard with your lug 'oles upto the speakers.
brian2957
30-10-2022, 21:14
Just wondering mate. I'm not a T/T aficionado like you. Earlier today I put a pair of unshielded cables on the output of this little iFi phono stage and it sounds great. I was expecting a lot of hum, but it sounds great with no hum :)
Good result mate :)
Wakefield Turntables
30-10-2022, 21:18
I can see pics now. ��
HOORAY!
Just wondering mate. I'm not a T/T aficionado like you. Earlier today I put a pair of unshielded cables on the output of this little iFi phono stage and it sounds great. I was expecting a lot of hum, but it sounds great with no hum :)
Good result mate :)
That's cos you got no grounding issues.
brian2957
30-10-2022, 21:28
Looks like it mate. That'll do me :)
Wakefield Turntables
13-11-2022, 18:47
I've had the Heybrook TT2 looking across at me now for several weeks just asking when I'm going to refurbish the veneer. It's looking thin in places and TBH I didn't really want to do a complete replacement for the veneer. I'm not the best at this job and whilst I can do the veneering (to a reasonable level) I decided to keep everything original and lightly sand out some of the more superficial scratches and then apply a resto polish and then have a look at the results. Things have actually turned out really well and I'm happy with the results, I don't think I'll be doing anymore with the veneer side of things, altough, the deck still needs a few small details finishing. That's the beauty of this little resto, everything has been done slowly and generally when I've felt like doing something. So here's a few more pics.
https://i.ibb.co/WVP5f0s/IMG-0232.jpg
Wakefield Turntables
13-11-2022, 18:49
I've had the Heybrook TT2 looking across at me now for several weeks just asking when I'm going to refurbish the veneer. It's looking thin in places and TBH I didn't really want to do a complete replacement for the veneer. I'm not the best at this job and whilst I can do the veneering (to a reasonable level) I decided to keep everything original and lightly sand out some of the more superficial scratches and then apply a resto polish and then have a look at the results. Things have actually turned out really well and I'm happy with the results, I don't think I'll be doing anymore with the veneer side of things, altough, the deck still needs a few small details finishing. That's the beauty of this little resto, everything has been done slowly and generally when I've felt like doing something. So here's a few more pics.
https://i.ibb.co/qmzJD5q/IMG-0231.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/WVP5f0s/IMG-0232.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/bz6Mbf2/IMG-0229.jpg
Looks better than mine now!
ianlenco
14-11-2022, 14:09
Very nice restoration Andrew and a good read too! You've saved a good turntable there, congratulations.
brian2957
14-11-2022, 16:36
Nice work Andrew. Great result, well done :)
Wakefield Turntables
15-11-2022, 19:42
Looks better than mine now!
Wow, that's high praise! Many thanks.
Very nice restoration Andrew and a good read too! You've saved a good turntable there, congratulations.
Thanks Ian, yep I think your correct. After owning two other belters a LP12 and a TD160 Super, I would say that this is my favourite, both sonically, and simply for the design. It's a very well though out deck.
Nice work Andrew. Great result, well done :)
Thanks Brian. Your comments are always welcome. ;)
Wakefield Turntables
26-11-2022, 19:09
A small wee update and a weird finding. So, after messing about with the TT2 I decided to address a very small problem which had been bugging me for ages but as always I've got to be in the mood. So, this evening I needed to properly fix the tonearm board to the subchasis. Now this were things get a little weird. The tonearm board has two small threaded rods which should pass through two drilled holes on the sub chasis and then get bolted into place. Check out these three photos.
https://i.ibb.co/smSgQ5B/IMG-0248.jpg
So with this photo your looking at the underside of the tonearm board, one of the threads has snapped off, the other is still in great condition.
https://i.ibb.co/BL5skwc/IMG-0247.jpg
Here we see two drill holes on the subchassis which should align with the threaded rod on the tonearm board.
Now here is the weird bit, only one drill hole on the otherside of the subchasis. This is where I bolted the tonearm board to the subchasis. ANY IDEAS?
https://i.ibb.co/3MwCXpF/IMG-0249.jpg
Hi Andy, sorry for the late reply.
The short bolt hasn’t snapped off, it was cut off in the factory. We found that the turntable sounded better with only one bolt fully tightened so we made it so that you couldn’t put a nut on the second bolt.
Why is it better? The answer we gave officially was that introducing a slight lossiness into the cartridge/arm/board/bearing/platter system dissipates and damps down vibrational energy more effectively without compromising the geometry of the assembly, but in truth your guess is as good as mine!
Wakefield Turntables
01-01-2023, 15:16
Why is it better? The answer we gave officially was that introducing a slight lossiness into the cartridge/arm/board/bearing/platter system dissipates and damps down vibrational energy more effectively without compromising the geometry of the assembly, but in truth your guess is as good as mine!
So I suppose you had no other way of measuring this other than by 'lug ole? As ever thanks Shane for the knowledge. Nice to know the example I own is supposed to have the snapped bolt and not another job!
Indeed! The final arbiter for all Heybrook designs was half a dozen pairs of ears.
Wakefield Turntables
03-01-2023, 19:37
I think to be honest the way to measure any piece of kit is simply using your ears, certainly, that's how I've ended up with all my kit.
My thoughts returned recently to a TT2 restoration project I had begun a few years back and then set aside having disassembled and re-veneered the plinth. It is an early(ish) example (S. No. 1193, I believe) that I purchased new circa 1983 and subsequently returned to Heybrook (Mecom) in the late 80s/early 90s for a sub-chassis upgrade (steel to aluminum).
Due to my now less than reliable memory, as well as my failure to take photographs and adequate notes at the time of disassembly, I now face two problems:
1. there are two, non-identical aluminium 'bars' which I recall sat between the plinth and motor mounting plate but which I no longer recall which way round to install
2. when returned following the sub-chassis upgrade the critical alignment markings for the springs had been omitted and I failed to add any of my own before removing them
So, can anyone advise as to the correct orientation of the aluminium bars and how best to align and balance the suspended sub-chassis 'from scratch'?
Hopefully yours
Jon
Hi Jon,
have a look back at post no 17 in this thread. You’ll see a picture of the chassis of Andy’s TT2 showing the positions of the markers. They were in the same place for both chassis types.
Regarding the ally bars, the thick one goes at the back, giving the motor plate a slight tilt forwards. The tilt is adjustable using the grub screws on the front edge of the motor plate to get the belt running centrally on the crown of the motor pulley.
If you visit the Vinyl Engine forum you can download a PDF of the original owner’s manual which tells you how to set this up.
Very helpful - thank you Shane.
Wakefield Turntables
20-05-2023, 21:12
Another wee update on this excellent TT.
I'll do some more pictures tomorrow. Suffice to say I keep learning new things about this deck. I had no idea it had a hidden switch inside that allows 120/240V operation. My TT2 started to make some horrible noises from the motor. So, surprise number two, I find a thrust pad under the motor. I remember Shane mentioning that the Impax motor benefitted from the thrust pad. In what way? I've removed mine from the motor, things are now silent and I seem to have improved speed accuracy by -0.1 rpm to 33.4 rpm. Anyway, I'll try and get some more thoughts published tomorrow.
walpurgis
21-05-2023, 06:59
At a guess, perhaps the thrust pad is there to reduce wear in one plane or another.
Wakefield Turntables
21-05-2023, 07:57
At a guess, perhaps the thrust pad is there to reduce wear in one plane or another.
Nope the spindle just sits in fresh air generating friction with the outside world :lol:. I think that these motors may "knock", I have no experience with Impex motors but I do know that Thorens motors suffer from "Thorens knock" as they age. This is an audible clunking noise which gets very annoying. A simple solution is to attach a ball bearing or thrust plate on the underside of the motor spindle to remove the knock. I wonder if Heybrook did this to stop this possibility ?
The thrust pad is intended to reduce motor noise transmitted into the plinth. It consists of a nylon cup pushed onto the bottom bearing, inside which is a spring with a nylon button that pushes against the bottom of the motor shaft. The motor itself doesn’t have a thrust bearing as such. It shouldn’t make any difference to the speed. It’s not unknown for the whole thing to fall off! Whilst you’ve got it in bits, a drop og sewing machine oil on the bottom bearing wouldn’t go amiss. If possible try applying a drop to the top bearing too with a needle. Needs a steady hand…
Wakefield Turntables
21-03-2024, 20:45
Part VIII - Holy Smoke!
Yep, the crappy title for the update gave it away. I wasn't really intending on spending any money tonight on eBay but I've just managed to snag a smoked dust cover from a LP12 which I think is the same that was used on the TT2 all that time ago. My TT2 currently sports an old Thorens (I think) clear dust cover which I'm really looking forward to replace with this new/old second hand part that I've just bought. I also need to make a better base board but that could be a little project over a weekend when I'm a little bored. I'll post some pics when the new dust cover arrives. Now, I need some help. Does anyone, or can anyone send me a picture of original Heybrook TT2 feet.
Thanks, stay tuned... :cool:
Wakefield Turntables
22-03-2024, 17:09
Pt IX - The GURU has spoken!
Well one of the amazing things about this Forum is the ability to discuss this deck with it's designer! There is no way that I would consider doing any work on the deck without first consulting Shane - otherwise known as Mr. TT2. I'll be polishing the inner platter tomorrow. I did worry about this having an effect on the belts ability to work, seems I have nothing to worry about. The inner platter is looking a little grubby, so It can't hurt can it!
Pictures, at some point over the weekend. Stay tuned... :cool:
I can’t think of any possible reason why polishing the sub-platter would have any effect on the performance of the TT2, but I haven’t tried it myself!
Watching with interest…
Wakefield Turntables
23-03-2024, 21:04
I can’t think of any possible reason why polishing the sub-platter would have any effect on the performance of the TT2, but I haven’t tried it myself!
Watching with interest…
I'm not trying improve the performance of the deck. I'm just trying to make the best example of a TT2 that I can. The inner platter looks a little grubby and the deck deserves better. :)
Sorry Andy, all I was saying is it won’t do any harm!
Wakefield Turntables
24-03-2024, 19:59
Sorry Andy, all I was saying is it won’t do any harm!
Hey Shane, no offence taken!
Wakefield Turntables
24-03-2024, 20:10
Part X - Not polishing a turd!
The TT2 has been one of those that I've really got to like. I've owned a few "Belters" over the years Thorens TD150, Thorens TD160, Thorens TD160 Super, Heybrook Sonata, Linn LP12, to name a few. I've always found the TT2 to be very simple and less fussy then all the other decks when setting it up. I love its ability to just convey music, no nonesense, no BS, just plays music and gets on with the job. I must admit to not paying it much attention but that's about to change! I'm lavishing a little money and giving it some TLC. We shall start with the inner platter. Years of usage have resulted in rubber being deposited. Yuk!
https://i.ibb.co/gygZhYc/IMG-1062.jpg
So, with a "can-do" attitude and an urge to spend some time in a shed, I did this.
https://i.ibb.co/K5pcxrN/IMG-1084.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/fSJcV73/IMG-1085.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/HK61sv2/IMG-1086.jpg
Spindle got a good polishing as well, just for good measure. Attention will be going on the lid when it arrives and then maybe a nice new base board and some repairs to screw holes on the plinth. As ever people, stay tuned... :cool:
Wakefield Turntables
13-04-2024, 19:54
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part XI - Board senseless.
Collecting TT's is I find a great hobby, but, if like me you have OCD for originality can prove frustrating. This TT2 came with no baseboard. I'm now on my third and this time hopefully correct baseboard. Early models came with 4mm hardboard baseboards which were left unpainted, later models were painted black. No this is really causing my OCD to twitch :wah:! My TT2 has a low serial number in the 400's, so did my TT2 come with black base board or vanilla snowball hardboard? I suppose I could paint one side black and have the otheriside vanilla and that would cater for all occasions :lol:. Aesthetically things are now looking better but the baseboard does sag a little. The solution to this I think is to use strong double sided tape to keep the whole board held in place even though wood screws were used originally. So that's another OCD trait, which wood screws? I also know that using tape wasn't original but I'm happy to make this very small sacrifice to originality. So, tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the TT2 and then maybe start using it!!!
As always stay tuned... :cool:
Does the baseboard affect SQ:scratch:
Wakefield Turntables
13-04-2024, 20:54
Does the baseboard affect SQ:scratch:
Some would say yes. The Thorens TD160 super being a good example of where a company (Thorens) actually created an upgraded model (The Super) after looking at a whole raft of mods that an owner had done (Chadwick modifications, I think). The thickened baseboard being one of them. I'm just after originality with this deck. I'm not looking to make a hot rod :hotrod:.
Some would say yes. The Thorens TD160 super being a good example of where a company (Thorens) actually created an upgraded model (The Super) after looking at a whole raft of mods that an owner had done (Chadwick modifications, I think). The thickened baseboard being one of them. I'm just after originality with this deck. I'm not looking to make a hot rod :hotrod:.
Haha nice to keep them original Andy - I have another little project coming up along those lines;)
I had the Thorens TD160 Super way back in 1982 when it first came out but was unaware it had an upgraded baseboard. For the life of me I still cant remember what cartridge I used on that turntable but I have feeling it was an Ortofon. The Super I think also had a heavier platter than the standard 160?
Wakefield Turntables
14-04-2024, 05:55
Not sure about the platter I think you could be right.
As with most turntables of the era, the TD160 has a plinth that is effectively an empty box which forms a resonant chamber. Because of this the materials that make up the sides, top and bottom of the box have an effect on the sound. The TT2 is different in that the plinth is a solid block with a cutout for the chassis. This avoids the creation of a resonant chamber, and as a result the material of the base board has far less effect on the sound.
Now I’m going to upset your OCD! I saw a picture of your TT2 on another forum (can’t remember which one now), and saw that it has the threaded inserts for the original adjustable feet in each corner of the bottom of the plinth. If you want to be completely period-correct in your restoration I can tell you how to recreate the feet, which also means making a base board with the corners cut away, but if you want it to sound it’s best, just fit small rubber feet to the baseboard. We got rid of the original feet for a good reason! In fact I’m quite surprised that yours had them as I thought we did away with them after the first 200 or so.
Once the adjustable feet were done away with, we fitted three rubber feet, one in each of the front corners and one in the middle at the back. These were fixed with wood screws that went through the base board into the plinth. Three more screws were fitted int the rear corners and the middle of the front to stop the board from sagging.
As for whether the baseboard should be black or not, I don’t know! Mine isn’t, but it’s an earlier one than yours (s.no. 177). By the time yours was made it might have had a black one, but I couldn’t say for certain. I wish now that we’d kept a log of the serial numbers where modifications were introduced.
Wakefield Turntables
14-04-2024, 17:35
Shane, can you please tell me how to recreate the feet. It's a revelation knowing that three feet were used instead of four!
The old feet were M6 x10 hex-head bolts fitted with plastic caps, screwed into the threaded inserts in the bottom of the plinth. I’ve had a quick search on the net for the plastic caps we used but unfortunately I can’t find the same ones anywhere. These are pretty close but only seem to be available in the USA!
https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pro-dec.com%2F9-16-Hex-Caps-image.jpg&tbnid=tSiW8fmXFgfNSM&vet=1&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pro-dec.com%2Fhex-caps-bolt-covers-bolt-caps&docid=JD8e_5odOZ6YQM&w=267&h=254&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F3&kgs=243bbfcf90640f54&shem=abme%2Ctrie
As I said though, those feet turned out to be a poor idea and we very quickly replaced them with rubber feet such as these:
https://amzn.eu/d/7lvf4VW (https://amzn.eu/d/7lvf4VW)
As far as originality is concerned it’s quite possible that although your plinth had the inserts fitted for the old feet, it actually went out of the factory with the later ones.
I have 2 Heybrook TT2s round my house at the mo, which I'm attempting to 'service' for a friend. Each has a different sub-chassis. Is there supposed to be a difference between the bearings on each? The earlier one seems to have a ballbearing at the bottom but the later one seems to have a post/pin at the bottom of the bearing well? This is reflected in the wear on the sub-platter shaft (see pics):
Earlier TT2 Sub-Chassis
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025020356_f43b32879b_c.jpg
Earlier TT2 Bearing
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025394389_448fc9c157_c.jpg
Later TT2 Sub-Chassis
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025020376_7e342cd3ab_c.jpg
Later TT2 Bearing
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025256078_7fc802c9b9_c.jpg
There is no need for a plinth to have a base. That way a resonant cavity cannot be created.
The one with the ball is correct. There were no changes made to the bearing design other than changing from a steel plug in the bottom of the bearing sleeve to a brass one very early on. God only knows what horrors have been loosed on the other one in your pictures! I can’t believe a hardened steel shaft could have worn that much, so it looks like it’s been butchered. Do you know anything about it’s history?
Wakefield Turntables
27-09-2024, 20:35
See post #68 for the one installed in my TT2.
The one with the ball is correct. There were no changes made to the bearing design other than changing from a steel plug in the bottom of the bearing sleeve to a brass one very early on. God only knows what horrors have been loosed on the other one in your pictures! I can’t believe a hardened steel shaft could have worn that much, so it looks like it’s been butchered. Do you know anything about it’s history?
Hi Shane, thanks for your thoughts. Unfortunately I know nothing about the history of that later model. My friend purchased it recently and in all other aspects, it is in better condition than my friends older TT2 which he has owned for 20+ years. Looks like I might need to find an alternative bearing and refurbish the shaft.
I can’t imagine that you’d find a new bearing anywhere, but there is a very long shot that may be worth a try. The little engineering shop that made the bearings, chassis and sub-platters for us is still in business, now run by the son of the guy who ran it back in the day. They don’t have any drawings any more, but if you gave them the hood bearing as a pattern they may be able to re-make and replace the damaged spindle.
A S A P Engineering
Wixenford Farm, Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 8AA
01752 408611 (tel:01752 408611)
https://g.co/kgs/y7d7Lk9
Wakefield Turntables
13-10-2024, 17:43
Shane, can you remember the exact length of the TT2 belt? I'd like to get a custom belt made up, just for a hoot!
I’m really sorry Andy but I don’t remember. The only other person who might be able to tell you would be Guy Sergeant (Puresound of this parish). Failing that I can try to work it out from mine when I get home on Wednesday.
I just measured the belt on my TT2 and got 465mm. Now, it may well have stretched over the last 40 years but it still comes up to speed within two revolutions and sounds fine, so it shouldn’t be too far off.
Wakefield Turntables
16-10-2024, 17:52
As ever thanks Shane.
The one with the ball is correct. There were no changes made to the bearing design other than changing from a steel plug in the bottom of the bearing sleeve to a brass one very early on. God only knows what horrors have been loosed on the other one in your pictures! I can’t believe a hardened steel shaft could have worn that much, so it looks like it’s been butchered. Do you know anything about it’s history?
Very late reply.. That severely worn bearing spindle looks as if it was run all its life DRY... I had a six month old Planar 2 with the same issue and it was that Rega forgot to lubricate the bearing before final testing and packing. There may be different reasons here of course.
I liked the original TT2 and loved the later cast sub-chassis version (I was also a closert fan of the AR Legend with proper bearing then fitted). I don't venture here often, but it's great to see restoration type threads such as this one. All the best to you guys, keeping classic decks going like this.
That severely worn bearing spindle looks as if it was run all its life DRY...
I thought that too but it would have had to have been run dry for years to go that far and would have made a horrendous noise, and the sides of the spindle look undamaged. You’d have thought they would have suffered as well. Also, I’m intrigued by the mention of a “peg” in the bottom of the bearing. I think there’s been some sort of attempted modification. We shall never know…
Wakefield Turntables
12-12-2024, 20:48
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part X - OCD slightly cured?
OK, very short post folks, the TT2 may be getting some new original parts, we shall see! I'll do a full update when I find out if any of my spare parts on my Xmas wish list are available. Thanks to Guy for getting into contact. The mystery continues.... Stay tuned.
Any updates on this Andy?
Wakefield Turntables
13-06-2025, 16:24
Any updates on this Andy?
Short answer is no. I did get in contact with Puresound (I think :scratch:) and requested some stuff but they never got back to me, so ho-hum. I will go through this thread again and see where I can add/improve the originality of the deck. I'll probably post some pictures as well at some point.
Surprised at that. Guy’s usually quick to respond. What parts were you after?
Wakefield Turntables
15-06-2025, 18:59
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part XII - Board senseless Part II
Just a wee update for Shane and anyone interested. Firstly I managed to purchase a smoked Linn lid but some muppet glues a weird aluminium thingy on it, so at some point I'll have a go at removing that. Secondly you'll notice we have a TT2 badge stuck on the lid, this came all the way from the USA!
https://i.ibb.co/h1Jq84nN/IMG-1979.jpg
Now, the baseboard saga continues. I did make a rather nice new baseboard sometime back but on 3mm thick :doh:, it needs to be 4mm and I will probably spray one side black and keep the other Vanilla. Now, according to Shane my TT's has three thread inserts built into the plinth and yes indeed it does. My plinth also shows some damage from various Muppets over the years drilling screws into the plinth so I will be repairing these. Now the holes pose an interesting dilema, which are original and which are newly made?
https://i.ibb.co/GvDtqcLq/IMG-1985.jpg
Well that's a problem for another day. It looks like I had an early plinth which accepted hex bolts but the TT ended up leaving the factory with rubber feet so I think I'll end up purchasing four of the rubber feet as recommended by Shane. Now, finally I was supposed to recieve some NOS parts for the TT, well in the indeed I decided to just leave things as they were. I did want a new NOS belt but I think that the TT keeps pretty decent speed at 33.4 rpm and I think the TT should run a little fast anyway. So, stay tuned and I may have some more pictures and news in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned.
Now this is where memory becomes a bit unreliable but as I recall, after the hex bolt feet were discontinued, three rubber feet were fitted, secured with small screws through the base board. One was in the middle at the back, and you can see the screw hole in the photo in the left hand end of the wooden strip with the threaded insert. The other two were in the front corners but I can’t remember how we avoided screwing them into the inserts. To prevent the base from sagging, similar screws were fitted in the middle at the front and in the rear corners so there should be six small screw holes altogether.
Just seen a very early TT2 on eBay. The photos of the side view look as though the front feet were fitted just behind the inserts.
https://ebay.us/m/mHmc9R
Wakefield Turntables
17-06-2025, 16:50
That's excellent work Shane. My example is sub <500 and the one on the ebay ad is sub <600, so I think it's safe to say that mine must have been a hybrid. Well, I'd have put four feet on the underside of my base board but that's incorrect so 3 it is! I think I can work out were to put the wood screw as well. So that's another small amount of originality restored back to the deck. I'll do an update at some point with the repairs and new feet/baseboard.
Wakefield Turntables
24-06-2025, 18:12
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part XIII - Board senseless Part III
Hello, good evening and welcome to another update of probably the worlds slowest turntable restoration! The baseboard is still being implemented. So far we have the correct board thickness, the correct feet and more importantly the correct placement and quantity which should be installed on the deck. Once again we have Shane to thanks for his stirling work. I decided to spray the underside of the baseboard the same colour as the turntable, I can hardly see the point in spraying the turntable's woodwork two differing shades of black. I also presume that the underside of the turntable is meant to be black, otherwise, what's the point of spraying the baseboard and then hiding it away inside the turntable :scratch:?. I've not put in all the woodscrews that are needed on the underside of the baseboard, I will do this at some point. The baseboard no longer sags. I also need to repair the myriad of holes on the underside of the turntable and then probably give the whole underside of fresh lick of paint. These small jobs are for another days.
https://i.ibb.co/3mNZC8hk/IMG-1991.jpg
Stay tuned.
Wakefield Turntables
25-06-2025, 19:49
Glad you approve!
Wakefield Turntables
18-10-2025, 16:57
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part XIV - Edam cheese.
Gentlemen please refer to the second picture in Pt XII and you'll see multiple holes which I should have fixed whilst I was making my baseboard several months ago. Well, I'm now in the process of getting all those small little jobs sorted out and this repair work on the TT2 was one of them. I've filled in all the excess holes with wood filler, I'll leave this for 24 hours and then gently sand things down. I'll then probably spend the next six months purchasing some paint to paint over the repairs!!!! As ever my friends stay tuned.
Wakefield Turntables
26-10-2025, 17:51
The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part XV - Nearing the end...
Oh no! The TT2 is now looking even better after some long planned repair work to the base board and the underside of the plinth. The repair work has all been the same stuff, mainly filling in holes from someone's damage from long ago and then giving the area a fresh respray. I'm still not 100% convinced on the baseboard and may make another with some threaded feet, there again I may just leave well alone, I'm not decided. I have a smoked lid for the TT2 but it's not quite perfect so that's something else eBay may provide at some point in the future. I'll probably give the veneer some more TLC and than I think that's it :(. I'm sure I'll end up doing something else with this at some point in the future, maybe even play a few records. :lol: Anyway, here are a few more pictures of the work done over the weekend.
https://i.ibb.co/ccLPcqLN/IMG-2162.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/whKQJ8Yd/IMG-2163.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/BKzpSmBy/IMG-2164.jpg
Stay tuned...
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