Recent content by ddarch

Are the two screws that hold in the micro switch tight? If one or both are loose it's possible that the positioning of the micro switch is no longer in the proper place for the switch to operate correctly. If one or both are loose, it's just a matter of trial and error to get the correct...

Gorgeous! You could definitely sell a few more of those in different woods if you have the desire. There is a hole in the marketplace now where no one's offering plinths for that model and they are so needed because of the veneer issues. Dave

There are a bunch of units on that page, which one?

The Merrill is definitely viable for the AR if you want to use the motor that George sells as well. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be something that would be easily adaptable to a Thorens. I was hoping there is just something out there that was as simple to use as the music Hall cruise control...

Hi all, Now that the Music Hall Cruise control is discontinued, what other options are out there for speed control units to dial in AC synchronous motors as used on many Thorens and AR models? Not looking for something like the Mose-Hercules...but rather something quick and easy like the Cruise...

George Merrill, who knows much more about turntable isolation than I do, professes that cones/spikes are the exact opposite as to what's needed for turntable support. He recommends rubber feet. After he told me that, I stopped using cones and have been using rubber feet.

If it still has the old ac cable, sometimes just reversing that miraculously eliminates hum. Am I understanding that the hum stops with the motor ON? And when you describe it humming when the needle is over the record, that's with the motor OFF?

Hi all, I am familiar with the 774 and the 774LC, but never had the 774SM in my possession until this week. VE says it's supposedly nicer than the 774 but not quite as respected at "The Mechanic." Was made by GB Tools who made the Zeta arm. High mass end of the spectrum, so good with low...

Search for "kenwood headshell straight" on ebay, and it looks like there might be some candidates right now. Not sure if they have the side hole, but perhaps that could be drilled??? D

The VN belts require 3-5 days of run-in, and as noted above, talc helps on XA and XB models. D

Because of the nature of a suspended deck, if the suspension is not properly tuned, that can also contribute to belt issues. I also concur with using talc on the belt, esp for XA/XB models. Dave

Well, given that info, I am just going to return for refund and continue to recommend the Fluance. The build quality did NOT seem that bad, about equal to the RT-81...but I didn't ever hook it up via rca plugs, so cannot report on the sound quality. Dave

Turntable arrived and after an hour trying to connect to three different bluetooth devices, I called PE customer service, and they could not resolve the problem either. So it's got to be returned. Ugh. Stay tuned. Dave PS I mainly made this purchase to see if it's something I could...

No, I won't be tearing it down. My biz is Vinyl Nirvana and I find it tough these days to put together packages under $500 with used Thorens and ARs. I get asked a lot, what can I buy for my son or daughter for their room/dorm. I had been recommending the Fluance...I'll try this one and see if...

Was being a little impulsive with this purchase, I see now the headshell is angled, so not universal like the Fluance. I do like the greater compatibility of the universal style...at any given time I have a half dozen universals with different cartridges to swap in and out. Oh well...