The Timestep Bearing

[Marco]

Hi Chris,

Nice one, dude! A 'before and after' needle drop (using the same music) would've been good, but I guess that's not possible now...

What you've reported is indeed very interesting, with the differences you've outlined brought about by the bearing upgrade being pretty much what I had suspected

I've now decided to postpone the SP10 project and continue with the modifications to my SL-1210, by getting the Mike New bearing fitted in the New Year (hopefully before the Scalford Hall bake-off in March).

There are a number of quite exciting upgrades Dave has in the pipeline for the Techy, which I feel will likely raise its performance ahead of that of the SP10. I also must admit that the idea of owning such a finely race-tuned 'DJ deck' that will compete with or outperform most 'high-end' T/Ts on the market at (virtually) any price rather amusing!

Keep us posted with how your deck performs as the new bearing continues to bed in.

Marco.

[therockst4r]

After reading Chris's post I am thinking about getting myself one of these, how much does the new bearing cost?

[chris@panteg]

PM Dave he will do a good price for AOS member's .

HI Marco ' i can do before and after needle drop's , there are some on the earlier posts ' although i have struggled to get the level's right ' a bit of clipping here and there .

yes why not keep the 1210 ' i think you may at the Mike New bearing , Dave's is very very good ' but i suspect Mike's is in a different league .

I let the deck just run today ' i am perfectly happy with Dave's bearing you see because i really need to find the cash for a better arm now .

[therockst4r]

Thanks Chris, I sent Dave a PM. Where would I get a Mike New bearing? I would like to get quotes on both before I buy.

[DSJR]

I don't want to change my name, but it's DAVE CAWLEY (Sound HiFi/Timestep) you need to contact

http://www.soundhifi.com/sl1200/index.htm

[Marco]

I let the deck just run today ' i am perfectly happy with Dave's bearing you see because i really need to find the cash for a better arm now...

Hi Chris,

Yeah, defo - you're still using the stock arm, right? Even with a DL-160, either of the Jelcos would still wipe the floor with the stock Techy arm. A cartridge upgrade in the future would also work dividends, but one thing at a time

What are your thoughts regarding arms, then?

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

Dave Cawley ' has the Mike New bearing as well ' some confusion there ' Dave C is also a member on here .

[chris@panteg]

Hi Chris,

Yeah, defo - you're still using the stock arm, right? Even with a DL-160, either of the Jelcos would still wipe the floor with the stock Techy arm. A cartridge upgrade in the future would also work dividends, but one thing at a time

What are your thoughts regarding arms, then?

Marco.

Thanks Marco ' yes i would agree ' also much as i like the DL160 ' it seems a compromise to me ' when is an MC cart not an MC cart ' when its a H/O MC .

To me its sort of in between MM and MC .

Regarding the arm its really tempting to go for the Jelco 250ST ' as its so affordable at the moment ' but i do fancy the 309 .

Just in the middle of uploading some needle drop's ' Paul Simon/Michael Hedges/ and 2 by Art Blakey .

[Marco]

I think the 309's probably the one to go for at that price point *if* you're planning on using a 'normal' MC cartridge (read as: not a DL-103 variant, or any other low-compliance design), otherwise the Jelco SA-750D works breathtakingly well on the Techy.

However, before opting for the 309 I'd have a word with Martin T, as he reckons that his Jelco SA-250ST is as good as his old SME IV....... He's got rather more experience of SMEs than I have.

The DL-160 is a superb 'giant-killing' cartridge for the money, but you're right, 95% of high-output MCs are not really at the races compared with a good low-output design. I do however quite like the Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Sumiko-B...pecial-Evo-III

...and the Dynavector DV-10x4 (both high-output designs).

If you give me an idea of which cartridge you fancy I'll gladly offer some tonearm recommendations.

Just in the middle of uploading some needle drop's ' Paul Simon/Michael Hedges/ and 2 by Art Blakey.

Look forward to having a listen

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

Thanks Marco

Yes Martin has already urged me to go for the 250st ' i just might i think as the 309 is around a Grand ' more or less ' where as the 250st can be had for a great price (inc cable) at the moment .

In the past i have had an Ekos with a ESC rebuilt troika ' (LP12) and more recently an SME 310 with the Music Maker ' (Voyd) both sounded completely different ' i would say on balance the latter combo with the Voyd ' was more accurate and natural sounding.

The troika though was a very fine cart especially after the rebuild ' i think Linn's finest IMHO.

Its a tricky one really '
I will have a think about cartridges ' i certainly need to hear yours at Scalford next march '