Alternative platters ?

[Audio Al]

Looking to change my platter

1210mk11

I see Mike New does the new ETP design

Anyone tried one ?

Any alternative makes available ?

[CageyH]

I have been thinking about this for the future upgrade path, and I think I have narrowed my choice down the the Funk Firm Achroplat. I am sure that by the time I get round to buying one, there will be something better out on the market.

[sq225917]

Moderate mass, non magnetic, self damping and a similar material impedance to vinyl records, I think one would struggle conceive of a notionally better platter than the Funk one.

[Ammonite Audio]

Has anyone compared any of these über platters with the standard one plus Funk Achromat simply bonded into place using a thin smear of Vaseline (as Funk recommend)? Having been through the Technics thing, I am convinced that its shortcomings are partly due to structural weaknesses in the part of the chassis where the bearing is fixed, and in the platter itself which (on a microgroove scale) would seem to be rather floppy. It would be fascinating to subject the standard platter to laser scanning structural analysis. The chassis weakness is partly addressed by the use of a Mike New bearing, which itself provides structural integrity (up to a point) to the chassis in the bearing well. Floppiness aside, there does not appear to be much wrong with the standard platter that can't be fixed with a strengthening layer on top like an Achromat. Someone in the States produced a machined plastic (I can't remember what sort) mat that actually bolted to the original platter - I have no idea how this sounds in practice, but in terms of engineering and design seems to be a good thing to do.

Anyway, just my thoughts which are not intended to criticise platters from either Funk Firm or Mike New.

[RobbieGong]

Looking to change my platter

1210mk11

I see Mike New does the new ETP design

Anyone tried one ?

Any alternative makes available ?

The Mike New ETP is top notch and I'm very happy with it. I tried different mats but found the best and most right sound to my ears was with the stock techie softer 3mm mat (not the horrid rock had 5mm techie 'heavy' mat). Mike posted a very early review from someone who was one of the first to 'test' the ETP platter where they too expressed best result to their ears being with the stock 3mm softer mat. The ETP feels reassuring solid, is well made and non resonant. It has a nice weight to it but no where near the mass of Mikes copper bonded platters (which some feel might be a bit too massy). John (Prestonchipfryer) purchased his ETP before I did and we shared a few pm's before I took the plunge. I was in no doubt that it would be an improvement over the stock platter and it most definately is. The funk firm platter as owned by Marco, Martin T and others is also said to be very good too. Swapping out trying different platters isnt an option for most - ultimately its about taking a punt as either of these will be better than stock option.

[Audio Al]

I phoned Funk today and they said as I use a mike new bearing they think the bearing taper is bigger so the funk wont fit

I just ordered a Mike NEW ETP

[DSJR]

Marco uses a Funk platter with a MN bearing I believe...

[Audio Al]

Marco uses a Funk platter with a MN bearing I believe...

Strange unless they made one special for Marco

Is Marcos the original or the new MK2 that come out

Funk quoted me £840
Mike New £605 + the UK extras

[Ammonite Audio]

Marco uses a Funk platter with a MN bearing I believe...

So does MartinT

[synsei]

Strange unless they made one special for Marco

Is Marcos the original or the new MK2 that come out

Funk quoted me £840
Mike New £605 + the UK extras

Don't MRCU sell the MN bearing for 450 quid or thereabouts Al?