Another Batch of Bearings from Mike New

[Mike_New]

Hi Folks I am here as invited by Marco.
I am proposing to manufacture another batch of 25 bearings, since the sale of the last one available has now generated a rapid increase
in people wanting one. They are all falling off the fence.
I have had to increase the base price from $625.00 to $685.00 to cover the increase in materials and labour (my Toolmakers not me!!).
The initial price was set about 5 years ago.
So what I propose is that I set the price of the first 15 bearings at $665.00 this will include postage.
The deposit will be $300.00 and regarded as a comitment to buy.
I will post regular status reports and if you agree I will post the names of those people who have joined the scheme.
Is this agreeable to all those that may be interested??

Bearing Base Plates.
The Bearing Base Plates will now be made only by myself in the same way as before.

People have also asked me if I am going to continue manufacturing the ETP Platter.
The answer is YES as this upgrade is totally machined and assembled by myself so I am far more able to control what I do.
I have now standardised on a thickness of 25mm (1") but am happy to supply 30mm if required.

[Audio Al]

Great new Mike re the continuation of the bearing / base plate / platter

Do you make any other unique items HiFi Related ?

[Mike_New]

No, the only upgrades that I design/manufacture are the three that we all know about.
The simple reason is that it is no use re-inventing the wheel against other people in a very limited market for the products, that is why I do not get involved in power supplies where people like KAB and Paul Haynes are visible.
Admitedly a host of would be look-a-like bearing suppliers try to keep themselves in the market place with much cheaper units, but remember I was the first person to crack it with a totally re-engineered Bearing design, which by it's very nature is not inexpensive compared with all those that have tried to follow me.
There are a number of ways that I could reduce the price, by simply reaming the hole in the Bearing myself would be one.
Instead I use the services of my toolmakers to precision hone the Bearing this costs much more. But the results speak (or sound) for themselves.
You see it is this precision fit of the spindle shaft to the Bearing tunnel which is the secret and the fact that my unique design allows the fully floating
ceramic ball to be internally housed into the precision ground hollow bottom section of the shaft allowing for a much longer shaft for increased stabillity.

[JazzBones]

No, the only upgrades that I design/manufacture are the three that we all know about.
The simple reason is that it is no use re-inventing the wheel against other people in a very limited market for the products, that is why I do not get involved in power supplies where people like KAB and Paul Haynes are visible.
Admitedly a host of would be look-a-like bearing suppliers try to keep themselves in the market place with much cheaper units, but remember I was the first person to crack it with a totally re-engineered Bearing design, which by it's very nature is not inexpensive compared with all those that have tried to follow me.
There are a number of ways that I could reduce the price, by simply reaming the hole in the Bearing myself would be one.
Instead I use the services of my toolmakers to precision hone the Bearing this costs much more. But the results speak (or sound) for themselves.
You see it is this precision fit of the spindle shaft to the Bearing tunnel which is the secret and the fact that my unique design allows the fully floating
ceramic ball to be internally housed into the precision ground hollow bottom section of the shaft allowing for a much longer shaft for increased stabillity.

Hi Mike, as a matter of personal interest, has your present production of bearings changed much in their make up and/or construction? I ask this as I installed a Mike New bearing on Sunday 9th January 2011 so that probably makes me a long term user, four plus years and still going. I know the date because I wrote it down on the instructions sheet that came with it with the notation, 'straight forward but fiddly'. Since then, in order of installation, a MN base plate, a MN Al/Cu platter.

[Mike_New]

Hi Ron,
No, my Bearings produced today and since you first purchased yours in Jan 2011 are of the same design, with the exception that I use a slightly larger floating ceramic ball in the precision ground recess in the bottom of the shaft. This has not reduced the shaft length.
Yes you would be one of the first users next to Martin Taylor I believe.
I am happy that you are happy, I just wish that I could reduce the cost of the Bearing so that many others could enjoy the results. But this would sacrifice quality and I will not do that.

[Marco]

I was ‘on board’ early too, Mike, although I bought mine from you-know-who!

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Ron,

Did you read my post on your Ortofon stylus pressure gauge thread? Did you get sorted out eventually?

Marco.

[Mike_New]

I was ‘on board’ early too, Mike, although I bought mine from you-know-who!

Marco.

with a dealer in between myself and the customer it is not possible to know where all the Bearings go to.
You-know-who did sell about 30 Bearings for me.
They are now spread across the globe from Moscow to Melbourne

[Marco]

Indeed… I can’t remember who got one first, MT or me….. I think it was him.

Marco.

[prestonchipfryer]

I had one of the first batch way back from I know who too? In fact it may have been the first one FAIK. At the time I also had you know whose bearing, which the MN bearing pisses all over. In fact the MN bearing is a must to get the best sound out of the 1200 TT. So anyone pondering buying a MN bearing, do it.