I know what you mean. I'm constantly getting calls and texts from people I haven't heard from in years, plus the whole working from home thing makes it hard to focus. I figured I'd have time for a project or two but it's not looking likely this month.
I removed A, B and C, deleted the switch B and deleted pcb C, mounted transformer A outboard next to lid hinge with AC supply directly connected to transformer primary.
This removed essentially all trace of hum leaving only preamp hiss.
Max.
I have the feeling turntable design, if there's ever any "design" involved, is a never ending of string of messing around such as:
- Start with a flawed base
- Fix problem A, which messes up problem B
- Fix B, which messes up C
- And so on, recursion is permitted
With that being said, my own LP12 is over 40 years old, has some, but not all of the $$$ mods, and still sounds better than the digital stuff that I have, at least to these strongly biased ears. I'm currently waiting for the scobham motor controller for yet another loop of fixes.
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Zung: I think there is the 'uk way' of just messing around and trying things and a never ending stream of upgrades then there is the japanese way where real R&D was done. Depends if you want one man's vision of how it should be or a dept of many people working together.
Then of course there is Bill@well tempered labs
Then of course there is Bill@well tempered labs
‘magnetic field air coupling’, not “air core” (posts 2527, 2533)
When I use wrong terms, I am called for by the membership for those.
I acknowledge my mistake, I thank them for taking the time to correct me (and/or letting me understand something better) and we all move on. Not much back and forth is needed for clear and cut cases.
When 1audio is talking, I am listening to him. A knowledgeable contributor with a long record of not getting involved into, nor feeding endless forum talk.
George
You mean, that kind of stuff? There goes my whole pension plan!
With platter RPM displayed to only two decimal points?! Strictly mid-fi.
How do exotic contraptions like this compare with the lathes that are used to cut records in the first place? Speed stability, rumble etc?With platter RPM displayed to only two decimal points?! Strictly mid-fi.
With platter RPM displayed to only two decimal points?! Strictly mid-fi.
With a belt it's a placebo anyway.
I am with you, Zung. I have a used Linn Sondek that I got from a hi fi critic as an exchange for a Vendetta upgrade for him. (He got a newer Linn). I have not really added all the expensive features, as I am happy enough with what I have. The Linn arm is marginal, I used to have a better one with my former Linn (destroyed in firestorm).
Now that does not make my Linn perfect, audibly. It is very good, but I have heard better, but 'better' is just too expensive, and usually more finicky, and I don't need it to enjoy my records. The Linn started from good principles, the upgrades are too expensive, and like an old Porsche, still does the job it was intended to do, better than most of its kind. I did evaluate my new power amp with a much better turntable, which I could note was better than the Linn, but $100,000+ is just too much for me. Keep your Linn, Zung.
Now that does not make my Linn perfect, audibly. It is very good, but I have heard better, but 'better' is just too expensive, and usually more finicky, and I don't need it to enjoy my records. The Linn started from good principles, the upgrades are too expensive, and like an old Porsche, still does the job it was intended to do, better than most of its kind. I did evaluate my new power amp with a much better turntable, which I could note was better than the Linn, but $100,000+ is just too much for me. Keep your Linn, Zung.
it looks like they did do a decent job of locating the components. Possibly the transformer is running too high a flux density. It seems to be oriented so its field would be weakest where the cartridge would be.
Yes, on first inspection the transformer and AC wiring locations seem good but in practice not optimal.
The induced hum was very low level but not as quiet as with the transformer moved to the rear panel of the TT which now renders the TT essentially hum free and only preamp hiss remains.
I bought a 3pin microphone plug/socket so that I can extend the secondary wiring and mount the transformer in a box well away, when I wire this in I will experiment with distances and orientations and see what I get.....someday lol.
I grabbed this TT for free from local roadside annual recycling as a refresher on what vinyl sounds like and the first obstacle was the hum issue which was not loud but noticeable and to spec for mid-fi of the day (Akai AP-D2)
My conclusion on refresher listening, vinyl sounds nice enough but is an effects box system compared to good digital which eats vinyl on every front.
The limitations of cutting vinyl (mono bass, limited HF) are readily apparent and for me a deal breaker compared to the SQ and ergonomics of digital playback.
I have had good TTs in the past with good pickups (Stanton, V15mkIII etc) so I do understand what vinyl can achieve but for me good digital is the way to go, of course YMMV.
Max.
Its is really hard to reconcile a vinyl recording from an digital master seeming more accurate than the digital master we now have access to BUT the believers are sold and it pays the bills. And a good phono preamp is an interesting intellectual challenge, like a good escapement for a mechanical watch which will never be as accurate as my 40 year old Seiko quartz watch.
Other than marketing I am not convinced they do anything 'right'. I would not have one in the house.
@Demian: agree wholehartedly with you.