Magna Audio's custom-made counterweight balance and armboard service!

More interesting and varied projects for customers. All bespoke and unique.

This one for a Thorens TD-125 MKII. It will be returning to me for Jelco armbase fitting once the owner has marked it up.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/...12c77c_z_d.jpg

Polished brass volume and control knobs
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/...f98c58_z_d.jpg

Copper binding post plates fitted with very nice Vitavox binding posts

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/...fdbf65_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/...b497f1_z_d.jpg

A pair of steel boxes for component shielding, made to customer spec with removable lids and completely weld sealed

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/...0bf653_z_d.jpg


Here's a special SME counterweight that screws into a spider stub, made to specific weight and with a Whitworth threaded bar

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/...6ff25e_z_d.jpg

Lacquered in black

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/...b8a5e1_z_d.jpg

This is a smaller adapter project that enables to heavy weights to work nicely together - IO3 arm and the armboard for a Claro deck.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/...701c2c_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...07a45b_z_d.jpg

Nice piece of ebony. this one is for a SME V, bound for the USA

Starts life as block turned round

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/...25fedb06_z.jpg

Then detail machining top and bottom to get it to fit the plinth / subplinth.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5800/...b5e9dfbe_b.jpg

With cutouts for plinth and subplinth and mounting holes etc. The fitting kit is popped in from above, making removal, for say fitting another arm or armboard, a doddle. All polished up (much rubbing down, and many layers of wax and lots of elbow grease).

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5625/...996209a7_z.jpg

Off to San Francisco - hope to get some on deck pics to share.

This one will be installed and used in Surrey

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/...9ed33726_b.jpg

I got this nice shot back from the customer.

Looks good! I bet it sounds good too!

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5792/3...e2e5ee1c_k.jpg

thats about the same size as mine,being solid are you concerned with movement?
second thoughts scrub that,its fixed strategic well to cope :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamie123

thats about the same size as mine,being solid are you concerned with movement?
second thoughts scrub that,its fixed strategic well to cope :)

---

Were you thinking of the arm or the board. Can't see movement being an issue, as you say it's well fixed and a really solid piece of well seasoned ebony.

yes sorry i meant the board,mines 22mm and starting to smile,lol ive put o-rings under it to give me some chance of it sitting flat but as you know when wood wants to move it bloody will!

Here's some of the latest products

An ebony record weight / puck that is bound for New Zealand

During turning

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/773/32...73626cde_k.jpg

Finished

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/630/32...e01f8e16_b.jpg

Next up special turntable feet from blocks of ebony for a Verdier Vintage/Heritage Turntable

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/695/32...e988de69_h.jpg

Stainless steel inserts for the spiked plinth

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/738/31...e5d901f8_h.jpg

Finished

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/524/31...eb38e669_h.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/726/31...35c90eff_h.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/406/31...7302e994_h.jpg

https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/779/31...dae78dbb_b.jpg

Here's a top hat / flange for a turntable under machining

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/709/31...e1353813_h.jpg

Lastly a pair of 550Hz horns with Vitavox S2 compression driver fittings.
Turned from soft Redwood pine - this give the best possible sound.
These are off to the Ukraine.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/646/31...96f910e0_h.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/517/32...4fb1c030_h.jpg

https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/307/32...84fa2ee1_h.jpg

https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/597/31...c30cb2fb_h.jpg

Next up will be more armboards :)

Ebony armboard for SL-1210 for use with the Jelco Ammonite uprated armbase

This one is bound for Canada

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/461/3...40aab2_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/734/3...d26633_z_d.jpg

Here is an ebony armboard for the SL-1210 and a Sumiko MMT arm

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/3...cfc628_z_d.jpg

A 170g nylon insert double grub screw counterweight for the Rega R200 arm

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/504/3...1f6eae_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/591/3...bd1f3e_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/419/3...af0710_z_d.jpg

coming up next a couple of stand alone armpods and copper L-brackets

A couple of bespoke items made bound for Spain

Armboard in Ebony 8mm thick and brass ring 4mm thick. Bonded and screwed together.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/691/3...2819e3_z_d.jpg

A 3g half sleeve weight for use to increase the mass of a tonearm towards the cartridge end.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/266/3...a23c8f_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/685/3...8a8665_z_d.jpg

Also an armboard in billet aluminium 22mm thick, 80mm diameter. Armhole for a Fidelity Research FR64s tonearm to fit a Kenwood KD-990
turntable.

Pictured here with my FR64s mounted up.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/676/3...fa8c26_z_d.jpg

Showing the required offset

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/666/3...575865_z_d.jpg

Lovely - that FR64S arm boss is for me and I reckon the FR64S will sing beautifully on the old, naked Kenwood KD-990. With a Miyajima cartridge up front, of course!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ammonite Acoustics

Lovely - that FR64S arm boss is for me and I reckon the FR64S will sing beautifully on the old, naked Kenwood KD-990. With a Miyajima cartridge up front, of course!

---

Thanks Hugo - hope so :)

This one is bound for Austria for a ClearAudio unify tonearm and will be used with a Jean Nantais Reference/Classic Lenco - this has a very high/thick plint arrangement hence the armpod height being 21.5 cm. +/- 5mm range is provided by the adjustable feet.

Usual very heavy mass so it will not move in use and will provide the perfect off plinth mounting for the tonearm.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/481/3...3f52d5_z_d.jpg

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https://farm1.staticflickr.com/290/3...be21ce_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/298/3...25d73c_z_d.jpg
(Please excuse the quality on this last one)

Here is a Technics SL-1210 ebony armboard for the USA. This one is for the SME M2-9 tone arm.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/...3d8bf6_z_d.jpg


This one a Technics SL-1210 ebony armboard kitted out for the Micro Seiki tone arm and extra hole for the arm rest.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/...a7b54a_z_d.jpg


This one is a special for Hugo of Ammonite Audio.

I bet you can't guess what it's spec'd for!

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2121/...f24650_z_d.jpg

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At nearly 200g in weight - It's an arm damper weight for the Jelco arm

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/752/3...e9d261_z_d.jpg


Lastly a Counterweight with Nylon insert sleeve and double grub screws - 170g

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2687/...f2ee0a_z_d.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2576/...f81f89_z_d.jpg

Here's a link to what Hugo of Ammonite Audio says is going on with the Arm damper weight.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...721#post841721

I'm going to try it on my Fidelity Research FR64s too!

This one for Peter. Will be in the post tomorrow.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/...231ce9_z_d.jpg

This one is for Hugo's FR64s.

Pictured atop my FR64s ;)

I will give it a listen this evening, before posting off to Hugo tomorrow.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/...6dbf18_z_d.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/703/3...4c9878_z_d.jpg

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Here's a link to what Hugo wrote about the sound changes of the damper weight on his Jelso tonearm

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...721#post841721

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/...f122ea_z_d.jpgSL-1210 Ebony armboard with SME mounting

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/...8a3abe_z_d.jpg

SL-1210 Ebony armboard with Micro Seiki armbase mounted

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/...130271_z_d.jpg

Jelco arm damper weight

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/...f122ea_z_d.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/...21c329_z_d.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/...b21a41_z_d.jpg

Thorens TD-125 armboards are popular lately :)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/...b19a32_z_d.jpg

Here are some shots of an interesting speaker binding post project. These will go on a bespoke amp.
OFC copper, ebony plywood (I fabricated this using my vacuum bag press) and brass. Nice combo

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/...718e96_z_d.jpg

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A Jelco arm damper weight pictured on the customers deck. This was the one that went to Singapore recently.
Nice to see my ebony armboard and Ammonite uprated Jelco armbase resplendent there too.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/...3264fc_z_d.jpg

Fits neatly under the cover too.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/...752f4c_z_d.jpg

Here's the feedback about the damper weight sound change.

"Hi Steve,

The damper arrived earlier this week, but was travelling and I have just installed it on my Jelco arm yesterday.

I am not good at describing sound, not a night and day improvement, very subtle but definitely sound better with the damper than without it.

Thanks."

Bespoke cable holder for Robbie.

Machined birch ply that has been ebony stained and satin lacquered

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4178/...3364f0_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4175/...7a4b23_z_d.jpg

SL1210 MkII ebony armboard for the USA. Shuggie / Ammonite uprated Jelco armbase fitted all ready to go.
This will replace a stock arm! That's going to be some upgrade..

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4190/...3464d7_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4161/...897d83_z_d.jpg

Thanks Steve, Great work as always.

If anyone is wondering what the block of wood with four grooves is for.

It is to provide a platform / support for my speaker cable to lay in at the point it meets the speaker wire inputs at the rear of my Sansui AU 919.
I bare wire into the original spring clips which whilst adequate dont have a vice like grip.

The wire / cable entry point at the rear of my rack meant my heavy speaker cable was coming up and weighing / pulling down from the spring clip inputs so,
I got to designing this aid which Steve has produced perfectly.

I will drill a couple of holes for the speaker cable to enter the rack parallel to the rear of the amp speaker inputs where the cable will sit in each groove of the block as it enters the spring clips.
This block will be glued in the perfect position at the back of the rack, behind the amp at speaker cable entry point providing support for the cable, no more weighing down or pull - Happy days !!! :)

That.. was easier than replacing those excreable spring clips with even Ebay sourced speaker posts?
Seems as a curious solution.

:) Curious lol, I like that word.
I didn't / don't want to change the speaker posts.
The spring clips do their job and I like the idea of bare wire straight in as is, nothing in the way.

The issue was the cable entry point of my rack which meant cable upwards to the amp.
As I say my cable is thick and heavy so a weighing down.
This simple block strategically placed and a couple of new small holes in rack at the right point for cable - Job done, curiously :D

Latest projects and products.

First up is a special sized and weighted for a SAEC arm. This one went to Sweden.

First unpolished
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4275/...139602_z_d.jpg

Then polished up

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4216/...f1607f_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4256/...76aebe_z_d.jpg

This next next one is a bespoke armplate slider in aluminium for Hugo of Ammonite Audio fame :)
This is for a Reed 3P tonearm and can be seen and heard at the North West Audio Show where the Kenwood/Reed3P combination will be showing off a Miyajima Shilabe stereo cartridge. More details here https://www.facebook.com/ammoniteaudio/

10mm billet aluminium plates, 80mm diameter

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4227/...0f6b56_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4218/...53c9df_z_d.jpg

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This next one is a headshell repair. The threads were a bit pulled so I milled them out and replaced them with steel threaded inserts.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4271/...dca722_z_d.jpg

Now for some Tannoy GRF replica cabs in premium birch ply, 21mm throughout. These are to my own design to be a bit taller and narrower to
be easier to accommodate into rooms. I design them to retain the original back loaded horn volumes, so they sound identical to the regular shaped GRF replica cabs I also build.
These are bound for Staffordshire UK. They can be palletized and shipped overseas by air within Europe, or sea to the rest of the world.
Here are some pics of the construction. More pics to follow as they are completed.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4214/...9cc0b8_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4196/...f0372a_z_d.jpg

Finally an armpod bound for Canada. First requirement was for a deck that was of 9.5 cm plinth height + / - 1cm via the adjustable feet. This was added to in height for flexibility of deck use by means of a lower extension piece.
This is bolted into the top piece for perfect stability.
Both sections are 4" aluminium tube, lead filled and weight approx 7kgs. Very stable and solid.
A Reed tonearm will be fitted to the ebony armboard.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4253/...5ee8bc_z_d.jpg

Here's a pic of the base of the 2 stage armpod showing the long bolts that secure the 2 halves as one when in tall mode.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4278/...04624f_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4237/...b4e357_z_d.jpg

The big Tannoys get a test fit in the cabshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5f6749a939.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6611728e9b.jpg

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

These beauties will be off to Canada shortly by UPS.

They will be used with Reed 3P arms in various plinth and deck configurations.

This round disc 125mm in diameter and 10mm thick if in African Blackwood

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4070/...8351a5_z_d.jpg

This Square one is 150mm and 10mm thick in Ebony

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4014/...c357a4_z_d.jpg

Finally a pic of all three items

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4277/...a9537f_z_d.jpg

This one is off to Canada. The customer was interested in the Ammonite Audio Jelco uprated armbase which I procured and fitted all ready to go.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attac...1&d=1499410543

I'll be making two of these for a USA customer. Polished brass - nice.
One a 4" diameter pod and one a 3" diameter.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attac...0&d=1499409795

More to follow

A couple of armboards bound for Hong Kong.
One is for the very popular Reed 3P arm and the other an SME fitting. Both are fitted with blind nuts for both armboard and armbase fitting.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/...1fefec_z_d.jpg

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https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/...a8c6c9_z_d.jpg

Next up is an Ebony armboard for a Technics SL-1210 deck to fit the lovely Fidelity Research FR64x tonearm

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4305/...c809e7_o_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/...487fb2_o_d.jpg

Here's an update on the armpod in polished brass for another Reed3P arm. This one is for the USA.
Again blind nuts are used for the armbase mounting.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4324/...59ff4b_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/...390a82_o_d.jpg

Instead of composite spikes this one has cork disc feet providing cushioning for the 3 brass adjustable feet. Pod weight is circa 7kgs.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/...ac1337_o_d.jpg

During the build of the above, I was asked to add another smaller armpod for an existing armboard the customer had.

Again nice and heavy with cork disc feet. The large M10 bolt will secure the 30mm thick armboard.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/...c9b598_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/...1c3eab_o_d.jpg

Here they are relative to each other before final armboard drillings

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/...8ea0d4_o_d.jpg

This was was requested at 47g and fits a 16.5mm armstub diameter. A nylon tipped grubscrew was also specified.

Machined to the weight

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/...3dbf8c_z_d.jpg

Finished article

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4369/...e50cd0_o_d.jpg

Nylon tipped grubscrew

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...bd90fe_z_d.jpg

Latest work.

First a record puck in Gunmetal with an ebony base. This one was requested at 1.5kgs and features ebony cores set into the gunmetal.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4400/...730789_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/...4f22ed_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/...e1ee0e_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/...c43584_z_d.jpg

Next up a case / sleeve surround in solid oak with turned aluminium feet for a Truth amp.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4359/...01648f_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/...bc3933_z_d.jpg

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Hmmm FR64 on a tricked out Techie. Now that would be interesting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by montesquieu

Hmmm FR64 on a tricked out Techie. Now that would be interesting.

---

Mine does !

Guess who did the armboard
:)

This Platine Verdier block needed to be modded to fit the Ammonite uprated Jelco armbase.
It had seen quite a bit of action with various armbases..

Here it is as was

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/...276c85_z_d.jpg

Here it is refurbed and lacquered in gloss black with armbase fitted ready to go.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/...24792b_z_d.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4375/...cf710a_z_d.jpg

Spacer in aluminium, locating pin in stainless steel and collate in birch plywood.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a9eaf1d54e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3194decbc3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7d1f1d8bf6.jpg

Here are some bespoke OFC copper phono sockets I made for Simon

I tested the M8 threads to destruction, torquing them up. They are plenty strong enough.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b8ab46bce0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...78540abcb2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...939246bbae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...39ce4bbd51.jpg

Tested with a variety of phono plugs.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ff6566f654.jpg

Installed on Simon's amp.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...81f5af9cf2.jpg

SL-1210 armboard for the Ammonite audio uprated armbase.

Bound for New Zealand this one.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...197a329fd0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...92df340f29.jpg

8 x brass feet for a couple of amps for Simon. M6 threaded / nuts for easy chassis mounting.
Polished surrounds. These will have have felt or cork pads.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...511c90ef9b.jpg

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SL-1210 armboard in ebony for Rega RB300

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An ebony armboard disc fit a Trio KD-500 turntable.


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SME fitting with threaded inserts for mounting the arm.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dc161b20ce.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f815bd00ab.jpg

Ebony armboard for SL-1210 to fit a Origin Live Conqueror tonearm.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...deb64a2686.jpg

My solid ebony version of Micro Seiki AX-4G Turntable Armboard for SME 12"

Over 1" thick with a gunmetal bush to ensure solid clamping.

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Alongside the 9" original

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Clamped on a test pillar.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...16da145f1e.jpg

Latest ebony armboard for a 'The Wand' tonearm.

As you can see with a spindle to pivot distance of 241mm, this one fits an SL-1210 just.

Set up with threaded inserts for mounting from underneath.

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Will be off to New Zealand soon (where The Wand tonearm comes from).

This thick solid ebony armboard will be replacing the thin metal plate ;)

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Just started a copper case for an Audio Note Step Up Transformer.

I'm retaining the front and rear panels that show all the settings and what plug goes where.

This will be a totally enclosed copper case with turned ebony feet and my copper phono sockets.

More to follow..


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An update on the Audio Note Step Up Transformer case and my copper phono sockets project.
I turned ebony feet for it too.

It is about 20 years old featuring silver wiring and windings.
It needed a little TLC on the black fascia and knobs too.

Here it is all done.

I tested it thoroughly on my rig. Sounded great.

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Beautiful African Blackwood SL-1210 armboard bound for Aus.

To be fitted with uprated Ammonite Jelco armbase.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b869e5b6b6.jpg

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