The Mike New Technics Bearing

[Dave Hewitt]

Hi
Isnt this what the magnetic brake on Garrard idler drive decks is doing?
Dave.

[Dave Cawley]

Turntables are not gas turbines rotating at 30,000 rpm where noise does not matter. A turntable bearing at 33 rpm has to be firstly very low noise and secondly not allow and movement in any plane at all. That is what both of our bearings do

Dave

[chris@panteg]

It certainly does

We all know how important the main bearing is ' take the LP12 bearing i have always thought it of the highest quality .

But why is the original 1200 bearing such an odd design ' is it because its basically cheap and sort of idiot proof and just about does the job ' keeping noise and rumble within a certain spec ? .

[Ammonite Audio]

The Mike New bearing arrived just before lunch, and is already installed and running in. It's very straightforward. Thanks to Dave for providing such clear instructions, which could be safely followed by even the most timid Technics owner.

I shall desist from posting any impressions until it's had a few days of continuous running.

[DSJR]

The original bearing looks as if it retains the cut-out in the casting where the auto-cam would have been had it been a 1300 or 1400 mk3 or whatever..

It does appear to me from experience that any "rock" in the bearing is not a good thing. One way with sealed bearings is to all but flood the thing with viscous gear-box oil, which can help to cut the effects of "rock" down. The techie bearing doesn't look to allow a viscous oil-bath so I reckon that both the alternatives are to tighten tolerances and improve on the thrust plate. Once this is done, I wonder how much heavier the "new" platter will be??????????

[Ammonite Audio]

I can't contain myself!

Listening to a new Speakers Corner reissue of Lou Read's Transformer, which I bought myself for Christmas, I am struck by various improvements over the stock bearing. Firstly, the imaging is extraordinary (it wasn't bad before). Next, the edge definition of notes is quite literally palpable, and on top of that there's such delicacy to minor details. Lastly, I never noticed on New York Telephone Conversation that there were two voices!

This is a wonderful cue to explore my entire LP collection, much of which I've ignored for many years.

[MartinT]

Nice one Shuggie. I too am in 'discovery' mode. I am hearing new things in hackneyed records like Supertramp / Crime of the Century as well as more obsure treasures like Poco / Blue and Gray. I am now appreciating my arm and cartridge more than ever.

[Marco]

Great stuff, chaps.... My Techy's being 'Mike New'd' on Thursday, so can't wait!

With the new bearing and the forthcoming platter mods, I think that the days of 'coveting' SP10s are fast coming to an end....

Marco.

[DSJR]

Oh I dunno, the SP10 is so MANLY Marco and way above pimply DJ's..

[Marco]

Arf! - I was thinking of putting a spoiler and painting some 'go faster' strips on the 1210 to celebrate its fully 'race-tuned' status!

Marco.