Sound Supports (tonearm plates and boards)

[MartinT]

On a slight tangent, I find it interesting that most armboards for the Techie are two-part, like my own. I wonder why this seems to be the default construction, rather than one-piece?

[Spectral Morn]

On a slght tangent, I find it interesting that most armboards for the Techie are two-part, like my own. I wonder why this seems to be the default construction, rather than one-piece?

I think Martin this is to provide a lower mounting height to give VTA adjustment on most of the arms that might be fitted.

I am pretty sure this is down to other folks being influenced by the current Sound HiFi armboards (the original ones were flat and not stepped in design) which are designed with SME arms in mind (I think I am right in saying that)

There is no doubt about it but my SME5 arm +AT 33EV would not have any ability to get low enough (as it is its just right and no more as the arm will go no lower with the cart fitted) if it wasn't for the step down on the armboard, obviously with different heights of cart, arms or platters mats etc different (flat) armboards could be used but I guess making them a standard design makes it easier to do as custom boards take time to make. I once asked Origin Live if they could adapt one of their boards for me but Mark said it would be to awkward to do re time as he could spare no one (at the time I asked) to do it; which was fair enough.

I think at the end of the day it comes down to the fact that Technics decks were designed for their own platters and arms and while the motor unit is excellent for use with other bits one must be prepared for a degree of hassle to step outside this and the options already worked out by KAB, Sound HiFi, Mike New, Funk Firm etc.

I would like to fit my Graham Phantom to my Technics and if I had access to a workshop I could do a nice armboard in a few hours (including finishing it off to look nice) but I don't have these facilities so I will just have to wonder what it would be like. I need a flat SME arm plate not a stepped one and even at that I suspect it wont work as A it needs to be lower than a flat plate allows and B the very large cable connector section the Phantom has will make using an arm cable (somewhat vital lol) very hard.


Regards D S D L

[Darren]

I know you need the armboard Marco, I recognise he could have communicated much better and that he mistook you for an Italian customer but you are now just plain bullying him and it's unworthy of you.

I dont know you well, but you always seem so fair and this just isnt. The man is trying to earn a living and does it in his own way which doesnt suit you and fair play. But what's all this talk about 'gumption' and 'admitting his mistakes'.

You are hurting a tiny business because you are put out and its a shame. Let it be.

[MartinT]

The issue is that the stock Technics platter sits very low on the deck, so stepped-down arm plates for third party arms are almost always required. With the Mike New platter, however, and especially with the Base Plate, the arm needs to go much higher. Thus my reversal of the step to achieve that with the Dynavector.

There is a large hole under the plate and the rubber base can be neatly cut away so you should have plenty of space for the Phantom's connector gubbins. If I can get a Dynavector in there...

[Marco]

Hi Darren,

I know you need the armboard Marco, I recognise he could have communicated much better and that he mistook you for an Italian customer but you are now just plain bullying him and it's unworthy of you.

I dont know you well, but you always seem so fair and this just isnt. The man is trying to earn a living and does it in his own way which doesnt suit you and fair play. But what's all this talk about 'gumption' and 'admitting his mistakes'.

You are hurting a tiny business because you are put out and its a shame. Let it be.

On balance, I agree. I simply get very frustrated when I feel that I'm being rudely ignored and/or treated unprofessionally or discourteously.

However, although he may not be quite as 'on the ball' as he should be when running a business (part-time or not), clearly Shaun made an innocent mistake, and so doesn't deserve to be punished for that. I have therefore amended the title of the thread and toned down the negative nature of some of the comments.

No matter if Shaun and I do business in future or not, I wish him all the best

Marco.

[YNWaN]

On a slght tangent, I find it interesting that most armboards for the Techie are two-part, like my own. I wonder why this seems to be the default construction, rather than one-piece?

Having recently had a good look at the armboard on Marco's deck (many thanks Marco ), I can see no specific reason why it could not have been milled from a single 6mm piece of plate rather than two 3mm pieces. However, I can see a reason if cost is taken into account. It is certainly cheaper to just profile mill two 3mm plates than surface mill a 6mm plate on both sides; it also means that the actual part that mounts to the deck can be used for every arm mount and only one component has to be changed.

[Darren]

Hi Marco,

I knew this was out of character for you. I think any one can understand your frustration. Let no one doubt your fairness - I cant fault you.

[Marco]

Hi Mark,

Having recently had a good look at the armboard on Marco's deck (many thanks Marco)

No worries, dude... Nice meeting you again and thanks for having a look at the tonearm for me, even though it was unsuccessful. It's now going back to Denmark. Hopefully, I'll have it back soon (along with my SPU)!

You have a lovely home, and I enjoyed listening to your system. It does exactly what a Naim/flat earth system says it should do 'on the tin', which is a good thing, and reminds me of some happy times when I was running olive Naim equipment. Your T/T also sounds (and looks) superb, and appears to show little signs of what I dislike about the musical presentation of belt-drive turntables. Vinyl rules!

Btw, as Speedy Steve is now going ahead with the ebony wood armboard for my Ortofon, since you're such a dab hand now at fitting and removing Techy armboards (lol! ), would you mind, if I popped round again, fitting it for me when it's ready? That would be much appreciated.

I would also like you to make me an armboard from aluminium, as discussed, when you're able to do so. No rush, but at least now you have all the measurements you need. That way, I can compare the two armboards and decide if I like the effect of wood or metal best

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Darren,

Hi Marco,

I knew this was out of character for you. I think any one can understand your frustration. Let no one doubt your fairness - I cant fault you.

Thanks, mate

Marco.

[MartinT]

Nice meeting you again and thanks for having a look at the tonearm for me, even though it was unsuccessful. It's now going back to Denmark. Hopefully, I'll have it back soon (along with my SPU)!

What's happened to it, Marco?