Post your turntable setup...can't get enough of those spinners!

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by shaizada, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. wombat

    wombat New

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    Thanks. Yes, original owner. The Bardo replaced a Thorens TD2001. The Ikeda has relatively low compliance and therefore is a good match to the relatively high mass Jelco/arche combination.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2017
  2. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    New update. I've placed an order for a Kuzma Airline Linear Tracking Air Bearing Tonearm. Delivery should be within a week or two or even sooner!

    [​IMG]

    I've setup a few of these and other linear tracking tonearms, but this is the first one I will actually own.
    I will likely have to locate the air compressor in the garage and run piping from there. I don't want the air compressor sounds in my listening room!

    http://puremusicgroup.com/cart/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=142&review=write
     
  3. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I used a Stanwell Technic compressor in the garage, ran the airline through the firewall, then through two moisture traps and then a pressure regulator for my old ET-2. It was heaven while it lasted and not nearly as fussy as people say it was.This looks like it shares the same headshelll as the 4 Points?

    Hmmm.
    What table will you be mounting it to?
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  4. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    I am thinking of using it with either the EAR Discmaster, or the Redpoint or the Luxman PD444.
    I will need to figure out how to go about the installation once I have the pieces in house.
    I also got the air compressor, and the arm comes with the moisture trapping bottles along with air smoothening bottle.

    Maybe when the time comes, you can help me figure out the air compressor side? :)
     
  5. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Sure, I used to work for a small pump manufacturer, (they made small pumps, the company was not so small, lol) so have something of a feel for them. Yeah, surge suppressor helps, maybe a .1 micron filter too. I think I still have my old one around here.

    I ran my ET-2 with my old Teres, and it worked better than it did with the TNT, and so much better than with the Sota Sapphire. I do read that the Airline may be Franc Kuzma's greatest arm.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  6. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    That would be very helpful! There are instructions and I've actually setup the Airline for a friend as well so it's not uncharted territory. The air compressor puts out about 65psi. That gets smoothened out and the arm itself sees about 4.5 psi. It is definitely a well designed system.

    I am seriously considering using it on the Redpoint turntable. I am going to look at a camera leveling base that I can attach to the tonearm base that allows me complete control over the exact leveling of the tonearm. I'm still engineering the solution in my head, so we will see how it all plays out. It involves the use of this piece:

    [​IMG]
     
  7. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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    I'm far too obsessive (and broke) to let myself get into this level of TT gear, but it's fascinating to watch someone else go deep into the abyss here. Plentiful updates please, @shaizada !
     
  8. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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  9. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    They do make beautiful products! Thanks for the link.

    I am actually planning to use the Kuzma brass pod that I already own. It is the brass pod here:

    [​IMG]

    I am going to unscrew the top half and and thinking of mounting that to the camera leveling base I showed above.
    That SHOULD give me complete control over the crazy leveling requirements of the Airline tonearm.

    It will look something like this, but with the Airline arm:

    [​IMG]
     
  10. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    G - I'd love to be able to offer assistance with the install. I have done many large aquarium installs, running water and air lines through walls etc. This reminds me of those days. Im thinking the final pressure at the arm ought to be tested with a gauge. I'm not quite sure how the design ensures a precise pressure change from pump to arm? Either way, this is going to be a fun and rewarding install. I wonder how close the 14" gets to the linear tracking performance. Keep us up to date on this one!!

    PS that camera base might work. I'm just a little worried because the Slik stuff is normally plastic. Does Gitzo make anything like it, perhaps? Just a thought.
     
  11. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    That is simply an awesome offer @bazelio ! Thank you. I've never done stuff like running lines through walls or the floor etc. I'd love to take you up on it.
    Let me keep you and @Wfojas in the loop. When the time comes, we can set out a day to do it.

    When I get the arm I will do a rough fit to make sure which turntable I want to setup for (I'm leaning towards the Redpoint). We can go from there as I definitely would want the compressor in the garage area.

    I thought that Slik base was all metal construction. I will probably have to order it and make sure it is (I don't see proper details on the amazon page or their website), or come up with an alternative one. There are quite a few out there.

    Just did a quick test fit on the arm pod...it should all work out:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    And....

    It's alive....running and spinning and running and spinning and compressing and spinning ;)

    Temporarily installed the Compressor in the restroom right next to the bedroom. I'm SUPPOSED to install the compressor in the garage on Sunday...but I have a feeling I would rather be listening to music.

    Need to clean up the mess. Hmmm listen to records or clean up.....tough choices!

    [​IMG]
     
  13. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Epic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  14. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    Here is what I am listening to tonight:

    FullSizeRender.jpg

    Numark Pro-TT1 ($200 used) with a Rane Empath rotary ($500 used) acting as the phono stage and headamp with a 2M Red ($99)

    Quite satisfying. I think the 2M Red is the weakest link here. I might just pop the 2M Black I have sitting around in the arm and see what happens. :)
     
  15. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    So fascinating. Now when you go to the loo, and the compressor starts you jump? What compressor did you end up using? More importantly, how does it sound, the table, not the compressor in the loo.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2017
  16. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    The compressor is a Sil-Air 15D. Super quiet and you barely hear it when it comes on. You just hear the whoosh sound at the end when a cycle is complete. Really cool sound! Sounds like the the whoosh of a waste gate valve of a turbo car.

    The arm has a very articulate and clear sound. There is absolutely no distortion at all and it tracks all the way to the end without any issues. The sound is wall to wall with immense depth. The bass is quick and punchy. Super airy soundstage with a midband that seems to go on without being spot lit. Everything just gels.

    I really like the tonearm so far...I'm waiting for it to break in and settle down. I have zero regrets on the purchase so far.
     
  17. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Ooh. Must resist... I saw videos of that compressor, and its really quiet enough to use nearby? Depending on airflow (which should be almost nil at 4.5 psi) and tank size it may not have to recharge for a few sides?

    What cart did you load on it?
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  18. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    The Bobs Devices Sky 40 makes perfect sense for the 0.3mv output of this SPU. I bet it sounds amazing on the Schick. What do u think about the sound?
     
  19. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    The compressor doesn't need to come on that much it seems like. But when it does, you really only get to hear that cool whoosh sound in the end ;) I don't mind it at all. I wonder if I can just keep it in the loo rather than take it down to the garage!

    At the moment, I have a NOS AKG P8ES Nova (VdH II stylus) moving magnet loaded on it, going into the Moving Magnet section of my EAR 324 phono. The EAR 324 has a very extensively customizable MM section where I can really dial in the loading (I am liking it at 33k instead of the the 47k) and the capacitance for the cartridge.

    Before I forget, I wanted to mention an item I used that made a very large difference to the sound (what doesn't with analog playback?). It is this little product....the Audiomachina V8.

    [​IMG]

    It is a cartridge interface that goes between the top of the cartridge and the headshell of the tonearm. You have to use slightly longer screws, but this interface changes the mechanical coupling. It is a very small, but HIGHLY engineered item. It has 8 cylinders of titanium rods encased within that convert extraneous energy to heat to maximize that energy transfer.

    Read about it here:
    https://www.hifistatement.net/tests/item/1920-audiomachina-v8

    Installed, it looks like this:
    [​IMG]

    So you have to have VTA adjustability to compensate for the extra height. No problem with the fantastic VTA adjustment facilities of the KUZMA tonearms. You unlock, twist, set to desired height and re-lock with the lever.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2017
  20. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I am trying to remember what the downsides were to an air bearing linear arm was. You get easy azimuth and VTA, apart from the hassle with the airlines. I know there was something else, maybe dirt in the trough? I think it was the sound, about not being bold enough. Its bad when you can't remember why you moved on.
     

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