• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Life with a Well Tempered

Brett a

Brett a

~◦●○o0o○●◦~
attachment.php


I picked up my new (to me) Well Tempered Record Player yesterday. I'll write more about it later when I have more time. But I can say at this point...WOW! These folks really have something with this design.


Not only have they made a silent main bearing, the suspended/dampened tonearm produces a buttery smooth liquid sound that not only preserves innner detail, it openes it up!. For the first time, It's delivering a level of fidelity I did not know my system was capable of! And this with only preliminary set up!

As I said, I write more later. in the mean time, here are some pics.

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php



attachment.php



From Audio Circle
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=93199.0


Ok- Here's the info: and from Bill Firebaugh to my ears, not my opinion, etc..

The tone arm gets 100,000 cSt 100% silicone. The main bearing originally got "Dow Corning 200 Fluid" which I believe is 50 cSt silicone, based on looking at the Dow Corning site. Now Firebaugh uses synthetic motor oil for the main bearing and says that exact viscosity is not critical- this is for both the earlier 'tables and the current ones. He says the synthetic motor oil works at least as well and is easily obtained.

The vial of silicone shown in the link above looks a bit small and seems aimed at use for a tone arm. One vial might or might not be enough material for the cup on a WTL tone arm. With respect to using other fluids for the tone arm, Firebaugh sorted out a long time ago what works. I'd suggest using the correct fluid and adjusting damping as needed.
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • WT_040.jpg
    WT_040.jpg
    26.4 KB · Views: 1,083
  • WT_050.jpg
    WT_050.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 1,147
  • WT_100.jpg
    WT_100.jpg
    28.7 KB · Views: 3,111
  • WT_110.jpg
    WT_110.jpg
    46.9 KB · Views: 1,527
  • WT_portrait_EMc_1.JPG
    WT_portrait_EMc_1.JPG
    120.1 KB · Views: 1,232
  • WT_Arm_1.JPG
    WT_Arm_1.JPG
    109.4 KB · Views: 3,254
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Thats An early Vesion of the Well Tempered Record Player

The later version had a square motor pod. Also the arm went through a few changes.

Although that is a great turntable, and is identical to the one I owned.

The arm will tell you if the cartridge is set up right. It will sag to one side overnight if not set up correctly.

I always wondered what stopped the cartridge from moving the pivot "disc" front to back when tracking the record?

Nice table, I thought you would like it.

The best part is you can now sell the Rega with modded arm and get most of your money back you spent on the WTRP.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
I love the design thinking of Well Tempered

Which version is this?

Your arm looks tail up in one of the photos

Why is the belt twisted?

What is the fluid?
 
Congratulations, Brett. Once you get it sorted out, I'm curious as to setup on that thing. Setting the overhang, VTA, VTF and above all, the azimuth would seemingly be a challenge to us uninformed in the ways of this TT. BTW, this TT has a very high "cool quotient."
 
Oh ya! Good one Brett. I knew the condition would be good. Like I said these tables ended up in good hands. Thats the table that started it all for me at Arthur Salvatore's store all those years ago. It will continue to impress as you work your way through your collection.

Nice choice :thmbsp:

marc mc
 
That looks great! Have fun rediscovering your record collection, hearing things you've never heard. I'm glad the decision is working out for you.
 
Brett, congratulations, she's a beauty!

I knew you were going to be pleasantly surprised and have been eagerly waiting for you reaction, "WOW" says a lot.

Bet you feel just like a kid again at Christmas, enjoy!
 
I think 'Wow!' is the whole point of this hobby. Anything less than 'wow!' probably means something will move on shortly. Those pictures are enough to get a wow out of me...I really bet that sounds good. You can just tell by looking at it.
 
I've got a quick minute to answe these few good questions:

REDone said:
I love the design thinking of Well Tempered

Which version is this?

Your arm looks tail up in one of the photos

Why is the belt twisted?

What is the fluid?
Click to expand...

1.) I don't know what version this is. I only know its a "Well Tempered Record Player" I might see if i can run the serial number for its history.

2.) The arm was tail up in that photo. I lowered it further into the fluid later that evening. It still has a tail up VTA. I need to get an SAE hex key to drop it (I only have metric). I've only done preliminary set-up--dialed it in just enough to sit and enjoy it for a night. I want to raise the paddle back up in the well a bit. The manual says it should be covered by 1 to2 mm of fluid. It's down about 4mm now. I can then set the VTA by moving the whole main mast down (or up) in the plinth. Then a chase my tail around a few times putting a finer point on the VTF, protractor alignment, azimuth, etc.

3.) The manual stays to put a 180 degree twist in the belt like that.

4.) The fluid in the tonearm cup (as opposed to the fluid in the main bearing well) is some kind of high viscosity silicone oil (although maybe not technically on "oil") The guy I bought it from recently changed it with the real factory spec'd stuff. It is much thicker than I thought it would be. kind of the consistency of warm caramel.



finnbow said:
Congratulations, Brett. Once you get it sorted out, I'm curious as to setup on that thing. Setting the overhang, VTA, VTF and above all, the azimuth would seemingly be a challenge to us uninformed in the ways of this TT. BTW, this TT has a very high "cool quotient."
Click to expand...
Have a look at the top of the main bearing post. That's a knob. Turn it one way and the cart leans to the left, turn it the other and it leans to the right. Of the two mono filament lines suspending the arm, one is fixed, the other is wrapped around this knob.

I hope to give you all a complete tour when i have the time.


ChairSpud said:
Bet you feel just like a kid again at Christmas, enjoy!
Click to expand...

I am!! I just wanted to stay home today and play
 
Last edited:
Brett a said:
I've got a quick minute to answe these few good questions:



1.) I don't know what version this is. I only know its a "Well Tempered Record Player" I might see if i can run the serial number for its history.

2.) The arm was tail up in that photo. I lowered it further into the fluid later that evening. It still has a tail up VTA. I need to get an SAE hex key to drop it (I only have metric). I've only done preliminary set-up--dialed it in just enough to sit and enjoy it for a night. I want to raise the paddle back up in the well a bit. The manual says it should be covered by 1 to2 mm of fluid. It's down about 4mm now. I can then set the VTA by moving the whole main mast down (or up) in the plinth. Then a chase my tail around a few times putting a finer point on the VTF, protractor alignment, azimuth, etc.

3.) The manual stays to put a 180 degree twist in the belt like that.

4.) The fluid in the tonearm cup (as opposed to the fluid in the main bearing well) is some kind of high viscosity silicone oil (although maybe not technically on "oil") The guy I bought it from recently changed it with the real factory spec'd stuff. It is much thicker than I thought it would be. kind of the consistency of warm caramel.




Have a look at the top of the main bearing post. That's a knob. Turn it one way and the cart leans to the left, turn it the other and it leans to the right. Of the two mono filament lines suspending the arm, one is fixed, the other is wrapped around this knob.

I hope to give you all a complete tour when i have the time.




I am!! I just wanted to stay home today and play
Click to expand...

Brett,
Your Well Tempered TT must be a later model in the Amadeus line. There are some differences/improvements that your table has, that are not currently shown on the WT website.
One indication is, that from the beginning, a thin polyester drive belt was used. It was, in fact, Polyester sewing thread with a simple square knot, which works well and is certainly not hard to come by. The use of the stepped pully is another along with the twisted tape belt.
The use of what looks to be a flat disk in the damping well is a departure from the original, and the early models, which used a golf ball. The suspension post is different with the allowence for, evidently, adjustment by means of a knob. Is that an acrylic platter? The early models used an mdf platter.

The platter bearing is probably the same, as Bill Firebaugh has a couple of patents for these, and they are very good.

I'm looking forward to reading your impressions of the WT as you get it set up and enjoy it.

Taken from Brett's previous thread, here's a picture of my preproduction prototype, which is fuctionally the same as the first production models of the Amadeus and can give you an idea of the changes that have occurred in the last 2 or 3 years.

IMG_6008.jpg


Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Last edited:
nice table Brett , UHF mag did a review years ago on the original one ? they liked it. It is not your run of the mill spinner that's for sure :D
 
TerryO said:
Brett,
Your Well Tempered TT must be a later model in the Amadeus line. There are some differences/improvements that your table has, that are not currently shown on the WT website.
One indication is, that from the beginning, a thin polyester drive belt was used. It was, in fact, Polyester sewing thread with a simple square knot, which works well and is certainly not hard to come by. The use of the stepped pully is another along with the twisted tape belt.
The use of what looks to be a flat disk in the damping well is a departure from the original, and the early models, which used a golf ball. The suspension post is different with the allowence for, evidently, adjustment by means of a knob. Is that an acrylic platter? The early models used an mdf platter.

The platter bearing is probably the same, as Bill Firebaugh has a couple of patents for these, and they are very good.

I'm looking forward to reading your impressions of the WT as you get it set up and enjoy it.

Taken from Brett's previous thread, here's a picture of my preproduction prototype, which is fuctionally the same as the first production models of the Amadeus and can give you an idea of the changes that have occurred in the last 2 or 3 years.

IMG_6008.jpg


Best Regards,
TerryO
Click to expand...


The well tempered record player has been around since the 80s, and can still be seen on http://www.welltemperedlab.com/

I think, bill firebaugh, left/sold/quit well tempered lab, and has recently launched his own line at http://www.welltemperedlab.net/welltemperedlab/ with the amadeus and the golfball arm.

It does say on the new site at the bottom of philosphy that the former maybe running without his blessing/permission.
 
edd9000 said:
I think, bill firebaugh, left/sold/quit well tempered lab, and has recently launched his own line at http://www.welltemperedlab.net/welltemperedlab/ with the amadeus and the golfball arm.

It does say on the new site at the bottom of philosphy that the former maybe running without his blessing/permission.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip off I'll be sure to buy from the original if & when I can ever afford one.

Quite honestly I think this should be better known than it is
 
edd9000 said:
I think, bill firebaugh, left/sold/quit well tempered lab, and has recently launched his own line . . . with the amadeus and the golfball arm.

It does say on the new site at the bottom of philosphy that the former maybe running without his blessing/permission.
Click to expand...

It would be interesting to know the legal status of both companies. When I bought my WTRP, new from Stanalog a year and a half ago, there were some pictures and design information available about the Amadeus, but it had not yet gone into production, or at least had no distribution in the USA, so it's very recent, indeed. Since it's made in China, and I was on a "buy American" theme following President Bush's stimulus package plea, I wouldn't have chosen the Amadeus even if it had been available.

I'm quite happy with my model from Stanalog, and their support has been superlative. I'm finding it more musically engaging than my LP12, and that's tough to admit after enjoying 24 years of Linn ownership. There was a great review of it by Art Dudley in Stereophile a few years back. http://www.stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/1106listening/index.html
 
Last edited:
Probably another audio company disaster. I love this hobby but the absolute worst of human character has dogged audio since the beginning.

The greatest speaker maker in Canadian history is a good friend of mine and the stories of buisness back stabbers he has told me would shock a wall street trader. He told me one story that was so disturbing that I thought I was going to be ill. Pure Evil.

marc mc
 
Originally Posted by edd9000
I think, bill firebaugh, left/sold/quit well tempered lab, and has recently launched his own line at http://www.welltemperedlab.net/welltemperedlab/ with the amadeus and the golfball arm.

It does say on the new site at the bottom of philosphy that the former maybe running without his blessing/permission.

It seems that the WTA group is using the original concept that follows the patent drawings with a flat disk in the fluid.
The originator, Bill firebaugh, had switched to a golf ball (& I'd bet) that's the version he'll be selling.

dobias
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom