JH vs Technics

[ETI_5000]

Good one. My turntable is a combination of the two shown – the turntable itself looks like the second one, but it has the tonearm from the first (JH Formula 4).

There are also other Australian turntables, including Once Analog http://www.onceanalog.com.au/ , who make truly stunning looking hand made turntables . I once bought a cartridge (new, at much lower than recommended price, on Ebay) off the chap who makes those! We had a bit of a discussion via email about turntables at the time, and it was obvious that he was quite an enthusiast - he restores old Garrards and Lencos and things like that, as well as making new ones.

 

[idealist]

Hello, I have finally got around to scanning the ads about the JH that I promised quite some time ago. Not an easy task when the scanner is in the cupboard, having to start Parallels with XP to use the thing, and deal with my 12 week old son as well, but it's finally done.

Thanks very much. Much appreciated! Sorry it was such a hassle.
(I found out last night what a hassle it can be with a recalcitrant scanner on OSX.) I too, run Windows in Parallels.

cheers and thanks again,

Mike

 

[metako]

Hi, Have just returned to this thread.

That TT looks, ...well... naked. (put some clothes on it, please.)

Really, does removing the outer shell make so much difference? Just curious.

BTW, that arm does look kinda nice on there.

Mike

sorry for the late reply. Yes it makes a huge difference to the sound. Much more transparent and detailed sound. The springs also help the bass go deeper but you need speakers capable of going deep too (I have transmission lines).

 

[idealist]

Just an aside, How difficult was it removing the original arm assembly from the Technics, and replacing it with the Formula IV?

Was there much "surgery" involved?

I'm wondering if it's possible to (relatively easily) replace the arm on my SL-1400 (Mk1).

(Perhaps even with an arm from the MK2, which at least has a VTA adjustment - or so I believe...)

cheers,

Mike

 

[metako]

It's easy to unbolt the Technics arm assembly. The harder part is sourcing a new mounting plate for the new arm. Depending on the arm you choose to mount you may be able to buy a ready made plate if its a common arm. I had to make a plate myself out of aluminum plate. The aluminium shop was able to slice a thin piece off a large diameter round rod (like slicing salami ) which cost me $4. It then took me a few hours of sanding to polish it to a mirror finish as well as drilling the mounting holes and cutting the corner off it to make room for the platter! It still sits a bit too high for accurate VTA so I might try to mount it from underneath or shave it down somehow.

 

[idealist]

Hey, you've done a VERY nice job there. Looks like a beautiful fit and finish!

A pity, as you say, about it being a little too thick. Presumably the arm doesn't have (enough?) adjustment for VTA...

Nice!

Mike

 

[idealist]

Hi again,

I realise that this may be so simplistic it will have AKers ROFL, but as a solution to the arm pivot being too high, why not add a second mat to the turntable? That's the way I solved the VTA problem on my SL-1400, in addition to adding spacers under the cartridge/s where necessary.

Not a solution for the "purists" but just my 2c worth...

Mike

 

[metako]

Thanks. I have already added another thin mat out of cork sheet and it helps but the thickness needed to fully correct the VTA was too much for the short Techy spindle. Good idea though-I might see if anyone makes a longer spindle as it will probably be easier than the other option.