The Mike New Technics Bearing

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

Marco has just left, we had a great time, the Mike New bearing producing shed loads of über low and steady bass from the Kraftwerk Live LP's.

Indeed it did! The new bearing obviously wasn't run it yet, but the 'before and after' listening test we carried out revealed a marked and significant improvement with it fitted, which I could easily detect even on an unfamiliar (and, notably worth mentioning, quite impressive) system...

I'll go into this in more detail later when I have a listen to the deck in my own system (prior to writing a full review of the effects of the bearing) and get a proper handle on what it's doing.

Thanks again mate for fitting the bearing and your meticulous attention to detail. It's always a pleasure coming down to visit (and eating your wife's wonderful cake!) Your new demo room looks very good indeed, especially with that spectacular view below from your window of Dartmouth bay

Marco.

P.S Hope the meeting went well last night!

[Dave Cawley]

I kept my mouth shut last night! The beer and Pizza was good though...........

Dave

[Ammonite Audio]

C'mon Marco! You have been strangely silent!

[MartinT]

Now that my Mike New bearing has had a really good run-in (not to mention the Whest phono amp which is also quite new), I had an extended listening session last night. The whole LP playback experience has really taken a significant step forwards for me. Everything is more palpable with a highly 3D soundstage, more shape to instruments and very tight bass. I had worried about the AT33PTG slightly lacking in balls but that thought has gone completely. I'm thinking to leave well alone a turntable system that is displaying a very good level of synergy.

[Marco]

Hi Shuggs,

Lol - too busy listening to music, matey, it sounds that good!

The Mike New bearing is an absolute no-brainer; I'm just trying to work out which has the most fundamental and significant impact on the Techy - that or the Time Step PSU. It's a tough one!

Got a busy day today and tomorrow, so further thoughts will follow after that...

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

I'm glad that the Mike New bearing is doing the biz! I'm pretty gob-smacked at the difference, TBH; I'm just in the process of getting my head around exactly what it's doing so I can put it into words properly for the review

I had worried about the AT33PTG slightly lacking in balls but that thought has gone completely

It'll be interesting finding out what your thoughts are regarding that issue when you hear the SA-750/DL-103SA combo on my T/T. I know from experience that (cartridge-wise) it's a quite a different presentation from the 33PTG.

Marco.

[MartinT]

It'll be interesting finding out what your thoughts are regarding that issue when you hear the SA-750/DL-103SA combo on my T/T. I know from experience that (cartridge-wise) it's a quite a different presentation from the 33PTG.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to that comparison.

[chris@panteg]

Hi Martin

I think that's very wise ' i feel a little guilty trying to encourage you to go for an SME ' it was irresponsible and somewhat shameless of me .

I still have not ruled out a 309

How do you feel about the comparison with your digital front end now ' .

Dave told me that you get roughly 80% performance after about 20 hours use with the new bearing 'and 100% after about 100 hours or so .

I think that last 20% is the most satisfying improvement ' just my thoughts.

[chris@panteg]

The Mike New bearing is an absolute no-brainer; I'm just trying to work out which has the most fundamental and significant impact on the Techy - that or the Time Step PSU. It's a tough one!

Got a busy day today and tomorrow, so further thoughts will follow after that...

Marco.

Hi Marco

Well if i can bring the words of Ivor Tiefenbrun ' into this thread he always stated the bearing is of paramount importance ' my own view is it probably is more fundamental in improving the 1200 ' .

Look at any top end or even middle ground deck and take a peek at the bearing fitted .

[MartinT]

I think that's very wise ' i feel a little guilty trying to encourage you to go for an SME ' it was irresponsible and somewhat shameless of me

No worries, Chris. I do still lust after an SME IV but then I used to have one and I know what utterly fantastic pieces of engineering they are. In all honesty, I can't fault the Jelco and while I retain the AT it's a perfect match. Should I go for another cartridge in the future, though, it'll be no holds barred.

The arm I really *really* lust after is the Triplanar.