Alternative platters ?

[Audio Al]

Bet you are glad you did all this research first and didn't rush in to anything...

How do you know how long I have been looking prior to posting this topic

[synsei]

There are other alternatives at the lower end of the price range.
Inspire HiFi will sell you just the platter off one of there Technics based TT’s.
They do a solid Alloy job which is in the price area of those already mentioned but they also do a modified Techie platter for about £250 like this one.

That's interesting Ken, thank you. The other reason I like the Vantage platter is because it looks like the standard item

[Marco]

They're talking about platters mate, not bearings.

Mental isn't it?

£650 for a platter, is it me?

Well... Let's put this into perspective: how much do you think Linn would charge for a brand new platter (top and sub) for an LP12 - or how much would SME, Kuzma, Clearaudio (or any other high-end T/T manufacturer) charge for a replacement platter for one of their turntables, if you wanted one for whatever reason, and they were willing to supply you?

My guess is a damn sight more than £650!

The (bespoke-made) Funk Firm platter for the Technics is every bit as high-quality an item as that belonging to any of the above T/Ts.

Marco.

[synsei]

Well... Let's put this into perspective: how much do you think Linn would charge for a brand new platter (top and sub) for an LP12 - or how much would SME, Kuzma, Clearaudio (or any other high-end T/T manufacturer) charge for a replacement platter for one of their turntables, if you wanted one for whatever reason, and they were willing to supply you?

My guess is a damn sight more than £650!

The (bespoke) Funk Firm platter for the Technics is every bit as high-quality an item as any of the above.

Marco.

Makes no odds if one doesn't have that kind of money to throw about though Marco. As with buying any component, one must be realistic. Any improvement in SQ is going to be good for the soul so if that goal can be attained for less money then it is a no-brainer

[Marco]

I completely agree, Dave.

The point I was making to Tony is that the price of the Funk platter is no more "mental" than any other - indeed, compared with some, it's likely to be rather 'sane'!

Marco.

[YNWaN]

How do you know how long I have been looking prior to posting this topic

Your OP suggests that it wasn't very long if you were not already aware of the Funk option - there has been quite extensive discussion of it on this very forum (and other alternatives)!

[Audio Al]

Your OP suggests that it wasn't very long if you were not already aware of the Funk option - there has been quite extensive discussion of it on this very forum (and other alternatives)!

I was aware of the Funk platter but not the price hence the phone call, its not on funks web site

Seems strange I have to justify posting


Will add further comments later

[synsei]

I completely agree, Dave.

The point I was making to Tony is that the price of the Funk platter is no more "mental" than any other - indeed, compared with some, it's likely to be rather 'sane'!

Marco.

Personally I was in the same boat regarding Mikes bearing however since he went into partnership with David Brooks the price of his bearing has dropped to a more attainable level, which changes things a little. If someone were to bring to market a replacemeent acrylic platter for the Techie priced around the 250 to 300 quid mark I reckon they'd be snapped up

[Marco]

If someone were to bring to market a replacemeent acrylic platter for the Techie priced around the 250 to 300 quid mark I reckon they'd be snapped up

Indeed, although it may or may not perform to the same standard as the Funk one. It also *could* sound worse than the original Technics platter, if the design has not been thought out properly.

On the other hand, you might be lucky and it could be the best thing since sliced bread. It depends on whether you can afford to speculate with £300, in order to find out...

Me? I'd save up a while longer and buy a known quantity that has been proven to work - whether that known quantity was a Funk platter or one from Mike New.

Marco.

[synsei]

Indeed, although it may or may not perform to the same standard as the Funk one. It also *could* sound worse than the original Technics platter, if the design has not been thought out properly.

On the other hand, you might be lucky and it could be the best thing since sliced bread. It depends on whether you can afford to speculate with £300, in order to find out...

Me? I'd save up a while longer and buy a known quantity that has been proven to work - whether that known quantity was a Funk platter or one from Mike New.

Marco.

Fair enough. I'm not slighting either manufacturer by the way, this is all about affordable alternatives. I would hope that anyone who brought such a product to market would do their homework first otherwise they'd be on a hiding to nothing, luck shouldn't have anything to do with it.