New Composite Platter for SL1200s from Mike New

[MartinT]

No, there's nothing wrong with favouring our trade members, Darren, and we do that quite a lot as you say. However, we will always say it like it is and not review or promote components biased towards any particular traders.

[Wakefield Turntables]

That's seriously out of order, John. You're new here, but be very careful before accusing someone of favouritism. Some of us have tried many variations of bearing/platter/mat and can speak from experience. We always tell it like it is, and check with each other behind the scenes, as well as listening to each other's systems, to confirm our findings. There will always be differences of opinion, but it's not because we're partisan with the suppliers. Why do you think so many trade companies are well represented here? One reason is that they sense that we play fair.

+1.

John,

Its ok to have an opinion but yours stinks. I buy from Mike because countless others have and the findings they report back in the forum are true. Mikes making a new platter, I aint buying it! I'm extremely happy with the 1st one I bought, he produced something for me that lifted my deck to new extremes I'm very very happy. His new platter my make things even better but I'm buying a Paul Hynes PSU. OOOppppssss sorry that another forum member that I'm not supposed to buy from because he hangs around the forum. John if I were you I'd apologise and keep your stupid comments to yourself, you have no idea how stupid you look at the moment.

A

[RobbieGong]

Personally I think we should all move on, no ones perfect, we all make mistakes (or slip up). Marco said his bit, moved on and we got to a place where the discussion was re: reviewing platters. Leave it alone now please. I love this sight, all it has to offer re: hifi, (I've learned much) the banter and discussions are great, stuf like this though feels uncomfortable, unrelenting, a bit like witnessing a kicking when someones already down - come on guys Please lets get back on thread !! Peace and Love to one and all

[Wakefield Turntables]

Personally I think we should all move on, no ones perfect, we all make mistakes (or slip up). Marco said his bit, moved on and we got to a place where the discussion was re: reviewing platters. Leave it alone now please. I love this sight, all it has to offer re: hifi, (I've learned much) the banter and discussions are great, stuf like this though feels uncomfortable, unrelenting, a bit like witnessing a kicking when someones already down - come on guys Please lets get back on thread !! Peace and Love to one and all

Point taken.

[RobbieGong]

Point taken.

Nice one Andrew, It takes a man to be a man so nuf respect to you

[Mike_New]

This is the all Black Platter



This is the same platter with thin flexible mat

Hi Folks
Here are the pics of the all black ETP Platter.
This no doubt will make Marco happy.
I will use the generic title ETP (Engineering Thermo Plastic) as this more accurately describes the material. The exact type or grade is not important at the moment.

A platter has been provided to a music aficionado in Melbourne who has said he will write up a summation of his opinions. I have no connection with him other than he recently purchased a bearing from me.

I would be happy to work with anyone else who would like to try this new ETP version in addition to Martin.

However there is I believe one caveat, this new platter cannot be accurately judged sonically by the use of one particular mat simply because it works well with my Copper Clad Platter and has become the standard by which others are judged (I have one). This is a totally different material from Acrylic or Copper/Alluminium. Therefore the response will be different depending on the type of mat used as before or perhaps not mat at all.
I have used the thin flexible mat supplied by Origin Live for my tests and to my ears it performs well.

a) The standard platter sits at 12mm above the surface of the chassis.

b) The top of the platter as shown, is 22mm above the top surface.

c) This provides considerable vertical room for VTA adjustment of retro fitted tone arms and also allows for the fitting of thicker much more substantial one-piece Arm Boards. However the top surface of the platter can be machined down to whatever the user requires or made even higher.

d) You will also notice that the pics now show my bearing installed into the MK3 which provides more spindle length than the standard one (this requirement was anticipated when I designed the bearing) and allows the use of a thicker platter.

e) I am now able to machine a curvature into the top surface of the platter to allow for better clamping of partially warped records. However this can only be taken advantage of, if using a thin flexible mat; or no mat at all!
I personally would not recommend it, however it can be done.

f) Also a label recess can be machined into the surface

g) Lifting holes can be provided or a groove machined into the edge for lifting.

[MartinT]

Broken link, Mike.

[Mike_New]

Thanks Martin you were a bit ahead of me

[Marco]

Hi Mike,

That looks great, and very nicely finished!

I think you'll find it beneficial being able to offer customers black and white versions of your platter, as many people, like me, will prefer the more 'sober' look of just a plain black one. And looking at the colour you've achieved, I suspect that it will look great on the blacker top plate of a MK5G. The MK2 and MK3 is more of a dark grey. I suspect too, that the black platter will even look good on a silver SL-1200. The contrast should work well.

I think that a label recess would be mandatory, if one were using the platter without a mat, as otherwise records won't sit flat against the platter. I found that to be the case with the copper composite one, even though the surface was effectively the mat.

Just a couple of questions, how much heavier (if any) is your platter than the stock Technics one? If you could provide details of the weights of both platters, that would be useful.

Also, is the T/T shown in the picture fitted with your bearing base plate (as well as) your bearing?

Marco.

[Mike_New]

Hi Marco,
The colour you see is the natural colour of the particular ETP that I am using, as is the off-white version. (two colours only).
This platter as you see it, weighs in at about 3.5Kg. The Copper Bonded Solid Alluminium Platter comes in at about 6Kg both depending on the thickness.
The stock platter weighs in at about 1.5Kg

The MK3 shown with my bearing is not fitted with a Bearing Base Plate.
The thickness of the platter makes it look that way.
Note how much height can be gained when the standard VTA adjustment is wound up to maximum.

Also I am now machining a 2mm outer skirt under the platter edge, so that anyone who decides to fit the Bearing base Plate at a later date, can do so without upsetting the aesthetics.