Vantage Audio platter upgrade for Technics SL-1210

[worrasf]

My upgraded platter arrived back from Vantage Audio (VA) today and having had a half-day I've been able to get it installed and spinning.

According to Richard at VA the "Level 2P incorporates a dual-layer alloy/copper plate bonded to the existing platter. This modification allows for an improvement in vibration control of the motor / platter / tonearm closed-loop and is also designed to keep the overall moment of inertia of the platter assembly within the design parameters of the motor and control circuit. This is important as it will minimize any margin of error over which the quartz servo speed control circuit has to operate."

The first thing to say is that this is a very high quality upgrade. I think it looks the muts' nuts As you will see from the photos the platter has a mirror finish copper top plate. It is a little thinner than the Achromat I was using before and so well worth checking the arm height/VTA. As I was awaiting the platter I had left my arm a little high and with the new platter installed the Decca is now perfectly horizontal as per my miniature spirit level.

I've had an opportunity to listen to 4 or 5 well loved and known albums already and I am in no doubt this is a significant upgrade.

The first thing I noticed was a big reduction in surface noise. The Decca is not the quietist transducer in this area but it is now very much less noticeable.

At the end of the initial listening session my notes (yes that sad/anal retentive) I had summed up the improvements as better timing, separation and clarity.

On Black Swan (Bert Jansch) there is a more definite "twang" to plucked guitar strings and more obvious "shaping" and extension of certain notes. Vocals sound a bit fuller and more "rounded" and have more clarity. Tracks on this album can have a tendency to "shout" a bit where there are complex and loud alto sax lines and this was calmed down with the new platter. Cymbals shimmer more and tambourines jingle - there is a very definite difference.

Listening to "busy" tracks on Dark Side and the (NAIM) music collection I wrote that instruments don't "bleed" into each other so much (ink jet printers of old? - you get the idea) Again on Dark Side there is deep bass reverb which I had not heard before and on an Antonio Foricone track I could feel double bass slap as opposed to the strings being plucked -again I'd not heard this before.

So I guess what these tiny differences are pointing to is a more stable rotation speed and a reduction in "hunting" of the motor.

I didn't notice any change in stereo imaging or in the overall "tone" of the pieces but the combined effect was to make the music (whatever type) more focused and detailed.

I listend with and without a clamp (see my post "to clamp or not to clamp") and the difference with the upgrade platter was even more marked - adding the clamp dulled the sound - it became less focussed and less detailed, bass became muddier - definitely better sans clamp.

I am very happy with the improvement. Not sure if there is a synergy between the VA bearing upgrade and the VA platter upgrade but Richard only recommended I try the platter upgrade once I was happy with the effects of the bearing upgrade.

So there we go - another very fine highly professional high quality upgrade to the Technics from Vantage Audio that not only brings audible sonic improvements but looks beautiful as well.


I now have an "as new" Achromat for sale if anyone is in the market

[colinB]

Looks great Stephen. Are you using your lps directly on the metal?

[worrasf]

Yes Colin, direct onto the copper. I asked Richard about this and he said that this is fine and that no other platter is necessary but there is no reason not to add the Achromat for example on top if one wants to. I have not done that comparison as I really do like the sound as is - as you kindly say it also looks great.
Steve

[colinB]

Ive kept an eye out for your review and im pleased you used Black Swan as a reference. Have to call Richard tomorrow now.

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Nice one - always good to have more choice, especially for those who don't want to go the whole hog with an MN platter. It looks very nice, so I'm pleased that this has been a successful upgrade for you

Yes Colin, direct onto the copper. I asked Richard about this and he said that this is fine and that no other platter is necessary but there is no reason not to add the Achromat for example on top if one wants to. I have not done that comparison as I really do like the sound as is...

Before you sell your Achromat, I would strongly recommend that you try it on top, as you *may* find that the sound improves again. IME, the Achromat is one of the best interfaces with vinyl that there is. You must test this though on a variety of different music over, say, a period of a week, and then swap back again, to get a proper handle on what is happening, with and without the Achromat.

Just make sure that you 'bond' the Achromat to the copper surface of your platter with strips of double-sided tape, or use some Vaseline - that makes a big difference to the effectiveness of the Achromat!

Incidentally, does your copper plate have a label recess cut out? If not, then you'll definitely need to use another mat, as records won't sit properly flat on the platter.

Anyway, enjoy!

Marco.

[Tarzan]

Respect is due Steve, that looks well cool- can you give cost or do we E-mail Richard- again nice write up and glad you like it

[worrasf]

can you give cost

Hi Andy.
Quote from an earlier email to me:
"1) We pepare one of the spare platters we have here, however as these are not in "as new condition" they require some further preparatory and cosmetic work to restore them to minty condition (this preparatory work is not charged to clients) so there may be a longer turn-around time.

2) When all is ready we will ship you the modified platter. This will give you the chance to listen and compare with the OEM platter.

3) If all is to your satisfaction you can then send back to us your existing platter on an exchange basis.

4) If not to your "taste" you can return our modified platter and we can discuss further which direction you may like to go.

The cost of the Level 2P modification (OEM platter with bonded dual-layer to top face) is £ 207 *** (less £ 40 on an exchange basis for existing platter) plus shipping.

If you just want to send your existing platter the price quoted will be £ 167 plus shipping. However remember you may be without the use of your turntable for the duration.

Steve

[worrasf]

Before you sell your Achromat, I would strongly recommend that you try it on top, as you *may* find that the sound improves again.

Good advice Marco - I will do (and report back)

Steve

[Marco]

Cool - nice one, Steve. Just to confirm, does the copper plate on your platter have a cut-out label recess? It's difficult to tell from the picture

Marco.

[worrasf]

Cool - nice one, Steve. Just to confirm, does the copper plate on your platter have a cut-out label recess? It's difficult to tell from the picture

Marco.

Hi Marco - the copper plate is machined so there is a slight depression/concavity to accommodate the label (just visible in the photies as a darker ring around the spindle). Have done a quick A/B demo with and without Achromat using a few tracks from Black Swan and Raising Sand (Robert Plant) and to my ears it is best without the Achromat. The Achromat saps some of the immediacy and muddies up the midband a tad - it wasn't a blind demo but it's pretty clearly different. I'll try it again over the next few days but thought it worth reporting back so to speak.

"always good to have more choice, especially for those who don't want to go the whole hog with an MN platter." Maybe I should call this route Technics Upgrade Lite to distinguish it from the MN pathway

Steve