Alternative platters ?

[MCRU]

I'm interested to hear the results on a platter "bake off" as I have one listed on the upgrade path, even though it won't be realised for a while. There is the bearing and tonearm to be done first.....

So little time so many up-grades to do, this lot have I missed anything?

Feet
Platter
Bearing
PSU
Internals
Tonearm
Tonearm Cable
Cart
Mat

[MartinT]

Who is going to lend me a Dynavector 20-2, Ortofon Cadenza Black and Blue, Shelter 5000, and one of Paul's tasty Reffc cartridges to evaluate.

No-one demos cartridges any more and it's a problem finding the right one for you. Your best bet is to hear one in another system, as well as read reviews by trusted writers to at least create a shortlist. From your list, I've owned one in the past and own one of them now. If you lived a little closer, you'd be welcome to come and have a listen to the Shelter.

[sq225917]

A lot of objective testing has already been carried out in the excellent thread over at PFM. I submitted my Technics with MN Bearing / Funk Platter / Achromat test recording for analysis and the results are shown here. If others with heavy platters could do the same thing, we'll be able to make comparisons. Simon (SQ) has a test record with the correct waveform.

I hope PFM don't mind my reproducing the result here (all rights duly noted). It's a very good result when compared with several other excellent turntables.

The inter revolution accuracy is indeed very good but take a minute to consider how round it is. That's actually very poor, in fact in noticeably resembles an octogon as opposed to a circle. Pop your platter off and look at the motor windings, how many does it have? Typically that would imply a cogging artefact.




Notice also it's not centred on the 0,0 point, it's off to one side which would indicate a speed skew at a regular point per revolution. a weak winding perhaps or a touch of drag at one point on the bearing.

For comparison here's my deck with my old PSU on it, this is just a big old step down transformer, but it's running into a thick bearing oil.



Draw your own conclusion. I can put up both with the perfect circle as overlay if you'd like.

[Tarzan]

So little time so many up-grades to do, this lot have I missed anything?

Feet
Platter
Bearing
PSU
Internals
Tonearm
Tonearm Cable
Cart
Mat

Fondu set Cuddly toy?

[sq225917]

It's as long thread over on PFM so here's the highlight, the EMT 950 was the best with a good Sp10mk2 coming in 2nd.

[MartinT]

The inter revolution accuracy is indeed very good but take a minute to consider how round it is. That's actually very poor, in fact in noticeably resembles an octogon as opposed to a circle. Pop your platter off and look at the motor windings, how many does it have? Typically that would imply a cogging artefact.

12 drive coils, three sensor coils. I understand the magnet has 16 poles. I guess 4 is a common denominator so perhaps that explains the slight 'octagonisation'.

Is your plot from the exact same test record?

[Oldpinkman]

No-one demos cartridges any more and it's a problem finding the right one for you. Your best bet is to hear one in another system, as well as read reviews by trusted writers to at least create a shortlist. From your list, I've owned one in the past and own one of them now. If you lived a little closer, you'd be welcome to come and have a listen to the Shelter.

I'd never expect a home dem for the reasons Dave outlined. But in my youff I could visit a small handfull of dealers and hear most of the likely candidates in sufficiently similar systems. With the move to direct sales it becomes "take a punt". Marco had been emphasising how easily you and he could borrow kit to evaluate, and I have been noting that you are fortunate in that regard. Most are not so fortunate

[Oldpinkman]

My earlier banter with Arthur reminds me I had a PM from Mike New today. I replied to express my support for common sense and reason, but wanted to emphasise that I was a close friend of Arthurs (since I percieved he had not necessarily appreciated that) and that, whilst continuing to support rational debate, I was a friend of Arthur of Funk.

My original turn of phrase was that I "bat for the other side" - but on reflection, given its Arthur we're talking about, I felt that was open to misinterpretation, so changed it

[Joe]

I'd never expect a home dem for the reasons Dave outlined. But in my youff I could visit a small handfull of dealers and hear most of the likely candidates in sufficiently similar systems. With the move to direct sales it becomes "take a punt". Marco had been emphasising how easily you and he could borrow kit to evaluate, and I have been noting that you are fortunate in that regard. Most are not so fortunate

I just found a cartridge i like, and have stuck with it (it's had one re-build, which was surprisingly cheap). Mind you, I'm not much of a box-swapper, having used the same unmodded turntable for 20 years, finally trading it in for a new model from the same company about five years ago.

[Oldpinkman]

I just found a cartridge i like, and have stuck with it (it's had one re-build, which was surprisingly cheap). Mind you, I'm not much of a box-swapper, having used the same unmodded turntable for 20 years, finally trading it in for a new model from the same company about five years ago.

Lucky b******. I have had my turntable for 30 years and had the cartridge (4 of the same one) until the babysitter ripped the cantilever out. I'd get another if I could