Mike New platter, Oyaide MJ-12 mat & STB-MS stabiliser arrive at Marco Towers...

[Marco]

Btw, one other benefit of the MN platter I forgot to mention is a significant improvement in the reduction of feedback, and therefore isolation on the Techie.

With the stock platter fitted, no matter what mat, clamp or record weight are used, there was always a (very slight) 'drumming effect' heard when tapping the top-plate of the T/T when the stylus on a cartridge was placed on a record with the volume on the preamp turned up full.

Try it and you'll see....... This is not in any way desirable, and no T/T mat I've used to date has had a sufficient damping effect to cure this problem.

However, now with MN platter in place, doing the same thing again results in complete silence, other than simply the dull thud generated by your fingers making contact with the surface of the T/T's top plate.

Now *that* alone is bound to have a positive impact on performance, especially when combined with the removal of the nasty resonances of the stock platter, and the eddy current/magnetic field shielding effect of the bonded copper mat!

Certainly, the cumulative sonic effect of the above is translated into what is heard when one listens to music, which if you can afford it, makes the purchase of an MN platter rather a no-brainer

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Btw, one other benefit of the MN platter I failed to mention is a significant improvement in feedback (and therefore isolation) on the Techie.

With the stock platter fitted, no matter what mat, clamp or record weight are used, there was a (very slight) 'drumming effect' heard when tapping the top-plate of the T/T when the stylus of a cartridge was placed on a record with the volume on the preamp turned up full.

Try it and you'll see.......

However, now with MN platter in place, doing the same thing again results in complete silence, other than simply the noise generated by your fingers making contact with the surface of the T/T's top plate.

Now *that* alone is bound to have a positive impact on performance, especially when combined with the reduction in resonance and eddy current shielding of the bonded copper mat!

Certainly, the cumulative sonic effect of the above is translated in what is heard when one listens to music.

Marco.

I was thinking about the shielding aspect of copper and it is possible to buy very thin sheets of copper foil which could be applied carefully and evenly to the top of a Technics platter that might work well too. Trick will be for it to be an even layer otherwise any item on top will rise and fall slightly.

Worth thinking about as a cheaper option......perhaps.


Regards D S D L

[colinB]

I will weigh the weight so everyone can go away and get their own equivalent made for 1/2 the cost no problem...

An earlier post made a reference to costs which I discussed with Marco earlier this week, not everyone can afford a MN platter, power supply and bearing having maybe spent £200-£300 on the Technics, IMHO a good arm and cartridge and moving the internal power supply (Marcos tip thx for that boss) would give anyone into vinyl a decent spinner until funds allow further up-grades, anyone agree? Oh and get rid of that awful rubber mat!

I have a weight already. Its made of berylium copper , has a threaded clamp and cost me a friggin fortune. It weighs 300gm and did sod all to the sound of my rig.
I was wondering if the stabiliser was heavier , or technically different in some way that might it work better than the thing i have at the moment before i blow another load of the little cash i earn on another accessory.
I work in sales and i know how it is when customers take advice of me and go somewhere else ( normally the web) and its not very nice. I had no intention of doing that. I might irritate them sometimes with stupid questions but im not a twat.

[MartinT]

Great write-up, Marco. Your review informs my findings and I don't disagree with your description where your kit mirrors mine.

I promised to reveal my mat findings now that I've had a chance to listen properly. I must say this is where the DV arm's on-the-fly height adjustment makes things much easier than it otherwise would have been and kept my memory fresh while listening to each mat.

Recap: I have an earlier Mike New platter with brass inserts in an aluminium disc (correct me if I'm wrong about the materials, Mike). I also have the MN bearing and base plate.

LP on plain platter. Rather surprisingly, this didn't sound half bad. Dynamics were strong and the sound was vivid, if lacking a little detail. The midrange was a touch harsh and it was this that masked some fine detail. Bass was full.

Rega Felt Mat. Not a nice sound, vague with a midrange colouration that masked detail. Not harsh, just dull.

Herbies. Very similar to the raw platter. Very good driving bass and rhythm. Similar slightly shouty quality in the high midrange, some smearing of fine detail and high treble. Very slight colouration in the midrange.

Achromat. Suddenly fine detail is in abundance with a very clear midrange and very fine high treble. Better sense of the acoustic space. Lighter presentation with clean bass but slightly lacking the pounding drive of the Herbies.

Overall, the Achromat wins. However, I could wish for a combination of the Achromat's tonal neutrality, fine detail and fantastic insight with the Herbies' dynamic clout and driving bass.

Forgot to mention: the Achromat displays a useful reduction in surface noise over an already quiet deck.

[MCRU]

I have a weight already. Its made of berylium copper , has a threaded clamp and cost me a friggin fortune. It weighs 300gm and did sod all to the sound of my rig.
I was wondering if the stabiliser was heavier , or technically different in some way that might it work better than the thing i have at the moment before i blow another load of the little cash i earn on another accessory.
I work in sales and i know how it is when customers take advice of me and go somewhere else ( normally the web) and its not very nice. I had no intention of doing that. I might irritate them sometimes with stupid questions but im not a twat.

you can borrow an oyaide weight colin no problemo, pm your address mate

[MCRU]

Guys,
I have many contacts in engineering (in fact having some polyacetal (delrin) feet, weight and other bits made at the mo as well as an aluminium weight for someone else), I can probably get a sheet of copper say 1mm thick cut with a water jet cutter (laser is no good as it burns the edges) into a circle with a hole in the middle, sounds worthwhile anybody?

Neil, would not dream of using your images without permission and respect what you say, end of, silly of Marco to suggest it without clearing it with you first eh! No ban please....

Anyone who is into mats, the blue horizon record mat has had a good first review in Hi-Fi World and one is on its way to Marco for him to play with so if it proves a good match for the stock platter let's go from there, they are £65 a pop all proceeds to Mains-Cables-R-Us (I have a wife and 2 kids to feed!.

[MartinT]

I'm wondering whether an Oyaide weight might be my next purchase, based on Marco's findings and that we both have a Bruil weight currently.

[Spectral Morn]

Guys,
I have many contacts in engineering (in fact having some polyacetal (delrin) feet, weight and other bits made at the mo as well as an aluminium weight for someone else), I can probably get a sheet of copper say 1mm thick cut with a water jet cutter (laser is no good as it burns the edges) into a circle with a hole in the middle, sounds worthwhile anybody?

Neil, would not dream of using your images without permission and respect what you say, end of, silly of Marco to suggest it without clearing it with you first eh! No ban please....

Anyone who is into mats, the blue horizon record mat has had a good first review in Hi-Fi World and one is on its way to Marco for him to play with so if it proves a good match for the stock platter let's go from there, they are £65 a pop all proceeds to Mains-Cables-R-Us (I have a wife and 2 kids to feed!.

Not a problem re the photos...thank you for understanding my reasons.

Re the highlighted bit yes it might be I would be happy to have a go at that


Regards D S D L

[Alex_UK]

Hamish sells Techie... Neil acquires Techie... Don't think the penny dropped for any of us until we saw the pictures! (Well not for me, anyway but I am often oblivious to the obvious!) Goes very well visually with the Oyaide...

[MCRU]

Neil, if it is feasible I will send you one with the other bits I am sending you, will know tomorrow.

Can 1 of you technicianstell me in mm what outside diameter the copper mat needs to be and what size hole in the middle, middle I would have thought needs to be 0.2mm bigger than the spindle diameter