Vantage Audio platter upgrade for Technics SL-1210

[chris@panteg]

I like cork, may be worth a try if it's cheap enough.. if a standard cheapie is fine, then you can spend more on a "proper" one.

Hi Dave

I have a cheapie cork mat on my Q21 which I'm currently using as a stand in i quite like it , though it has no recess ? But again i use the alchemist weight and it seems ok

[JazzBones]

Some more piccies of the platter



And underneath.

Chris, what is that mustard coloured membrane on the underneath of the VA platter, it looks a little rouched? Is it fabric or metal sheet and how does it contribute to the platter, the top I understand? Just curious again

Ron

[chris@panteg]

Chris, what is that mustard coloured membrane on the underneath of the VA platter, it looks a little rouched? Is it fabric or metal sheet and how does it contribute to the platter, the top I understand? Just curious again

Ron

Hi Ron

Very good question ! I was waiting for someone to ask this , i asked Richard but he was rather secretive , oh there's something going on under there lol , it feels like a metalic foil or something ?

Constrained layer damping is what he did mention.

[DSJR]

Doesn't the mk2> 12** series have rubber damping under the platter as well?

[Ammonite Audio]

If I was going to improve the rather flexible Technics SL1200 platter, I'd do pretty much what Vantage Audio have done with a stiff layer bonded to the top, and maybe mu-metal screening underneath to ensure that no stray magnetic fields get through to sensitive cartridge coils above. If that is a mu-metal sheet in the photo above, then by bonding it to the rubber damping layer put there in the factory by Technics, a form of constrained layer damping will result. Whatever, it all looks like the VA platter upgrade is the result of some elegant and very sound thinking.

[DSJR]

... and may make for the most cost-effective upgrades of them all with any luck

[JazzBones]

Hi Ron

Very good question ! I was waiting for someone to ask this , i asked Richard but he was rather secretive , oh there's something going on under there lol , it feels like a metalic foil or something ?

Constrained layer damping is what he did mention.

Chris, is Richard (VA) making damn sure that magnetic nasties don't break through to the cartridge (MC) although I'm sure the copper topper (I like that ) would see off any stray magnetic fields I would think?

Dave, I've had my stock platter off the 1210 a number of times but stupidly did not probe to see if there was any rubber content, my religion forbids it but seriously the Matsushita bods must have done summat rather than nowt!

Ron

[worrasf]

I found the Achromat on top , just added some muddle and distortion ? But the jury is still out on my current cart !

Hi Chris - this is exactly what I found at first and had a helpful debate with Marco who was very sure it should be better with the Acromat but I didnt think so. Anyway, after the Vantage PSU and PCB upgrade I revisited the whole "mat thing" and much to my surprise it now sounds better with the Achromat - go figure

Rather than the mid range being muddled as you found it is now better defined - vocals have better emotion and basslines are fuller and better defined. Imaging is a little more forward with better "3D" depth. I certainly prefer the sound now with the Acromat. Don't know if it's just coincidence but the Decca is really on-song - it always tracked the first 3 HFN test record "tracking tracks" but now tracks the 4th near perfectly. Probably just a combination of getting all the little things right. I have bought a Stanton 681 EEE III (well birthday pressie from my mom actually) but am reluctant to install it now as I dont want to "mess up" the current geometry as it's working so well.

Steve

[DSJR]

They didn't in the bad old days of the pre-quartz SL150(0)

[JazzBones]

... and may make for the most cost-effective upgrades of them all with any luck

Dave, I was quoted UK£600.oop!!!! for an acrylic platter (black or frosted), it would cost additionally more if I wanted it chamfered as per the Tekko one, this was from the Funk Academy and they had the cheek to ask if my enquiry was serious... of course it was serious otherwise I would not have taken the trouble to enquire

The Vantage Audio looks more appealing each day, but I will first try resizing and then bonding a Sounds Dead constrained layer disc to the Tekko platter to fit within the lipping, it will certainly cut out any potential platter ringing when hit with a cricket bat or such other. I am already using a Shubato/TS coppermat with an Acromat bonded to this..... good ole petroleum jelly the universal ointment for multiple uses

Ron