Beginner/turntable confusion revisited

Hi all,

I started two threads here: "Help for a Beginner" and "Turntable Confusion" which were both very helpful and very confusing and both of which led to internal controversy (perhaps a little unsurprisingly). So this is me reporting back and thanking everyone for their assistance.

I now have the following set-up (all second hand):

Garrard 401 in custom carbon/resin plinth
SME 3009 Mk II Improved
Shure V15VxMR
AstinTrew AT3500
John Linsley Hood/Hart RIAA 'Shunt Feedback' Phono Stage and separate power supply
Pioneer A400
Neat Motive II speakers

I'm very pleased with all of it. It's easy to say that the Pioneer is a "weak point" (some would say that the cartridge is too) but I'm enjoying listening to it more than any other turntable I heard in a dealer's room through their expensive equipment.

I also have a Roksan Radius V/Nima/Ortofon Rondo Red which I haven't even listened to yet because I haven't got a stylus balance (thanks to very mediocre service from Stone Audio). I bought it before I came across the 401 and haven't decided whether to keep it or sell it on.

I'm sure there will be upgrades in the future but this will keep me going for the time being.

Thanks everyone for the advice (especially Bottleneck, who has given a huge amount of assistance).

 

I'm not having any luck trying to upload photos.

 

Great stuff!

 

Here's how

 

These were taken by the seller. If I take any more I'll add them. Essentially, the plinth has two tiers and is made from resin-impregnated carbon fibre. It's very solid and heavy - not graphite-like in any way. It's more reminiscent of some kind of artificial wood.

The base rests on nearly flat rubber feet and between the two plinths there are brass (?) adjustable isolation cones.

 

Thanks.

 

You're most welcome.

Great looking deck BTW.

 

I love vintage gear.... so cool.... flog the Roksan !

...good as it no doubt is....

you could always keep the spare cart, they only last a few years.. you'll need it in time.

 

my god rob'll do spare if he sees those cones.

you'd better clone them out sammy or he won't give you a moment's peace.

 

Jesus David give it a rest.

Sammyo; nice deck! Looks to be about the same age as mine going by the name panel. I've gone with a Rega RB300 and Denon DL160 on mine which I'm pretty happy with so far. Wasn't too impressed with a 3009/V15 combo I listened to on a different deck, though to fair the deck was a bit crap and the cartridge may have been a bit worn, but to me it seemed to lack detail certainly in comparison to my other setup.

 

David, I'm not sure I've grasped your point.

 

La Toilette, interesting observations which I will keep in mind. For the time being, I just love looking at the SME arm so much. I'm happy enough with the sound and am getting a lot of pleasure from it all. If there are upgrades out there which will improve things, I plan to pursue them from time to time (so that the enjoyment is maximised) rather than fanatically all the time.

 

I will if certain others will!

Only too pleased!





Yes, nice deck sammy.

See my pm.

Yes, I think I have.


Edit; sorry, thats "nights" for you.

There was no point being made sammyo.

I've experimented with cones and the like considerably over the past few years to very good effect.

 

By the way, how much fun is the strobe? An extra knob to fiddle with every time!

 

Other than they'd look a bit better in silver......... ?

Clash with the colours of the 401 a little IMO.

Looks a fantastic deck though and I hope it delivers all that sammyo requires.

 

..great comment that one. Pleasure being the reason why we all listen to music in the first place.

I think sometimes we forget how much we all have in common in our little debates.