Turntable system in an RV—actually a 35ft Gooseneck Camper

[adnick]

Working on a system to use in an RV camper trailer, space is very limited and the components have to be from existing stuff.

Right now I’ve decided to make a folding table to mount inside a cabinet underneath the TV stereo system that came in the RV, it’s the only viable space and it’s in the largest space.

Intent is to use my Fisher 800 and Thorens TD124….Have the original plinth for the 124 so it’s temporarily going from this



In the original plinth the TD 124 has a much smaller footprint and is lightweight compared to before.

Made an Armboard for my 12” arm but thinking about making an arm pod for the 12” arm so the 9” arm can still be used, current TD 124 configuration:



This should be an interesting project, I’m sure there’s others that have already been down this road, and successfully implemented solutions….

VR
Andy

 

[LF240]

A Fisher 800 and a TD 124, I think you've already won "classiest camping rig" before you've even started! Looking forward to this one, Andy, as I'm entertaining similar ideas for a friend's 1966 Corvair Ultra Van. Have you made any decisions regarding speakers yet?

 

[adnick]

A Fisher 800 and a TD 124, I think you've already won "classiest camping rig" before you've even started! Looking forward to this one, Andy, as I'm entertaining similar ideas for a friend's 1966 Corvair Ultra Van. Have you made any decisions regarding speakers yet?

LOL never considered the classy side of the equation, just trying to obtain the best sound with the smallest footprint with equipment in my possession.

As far as speakers, my smallest that still sound decent are a set of Audio Pro Bravo FX-01, do have some Dynaco A30s but they are a bit big….here’s a couple of photos of the Audio Pros

 

[adnick]

Made an arm pod, steel pipe filled with a solid piece of Pecan turned on a lathe to fit. Changing the TD 124 to the original plinth and using the arm pod greatly reduced the footprint and let’s me keep the 9” armboards.

 

[twiiii]

Because RV's are not very rigid even if you own a Prevost I would recommend a Thorens TD 125 to prevent flexing of the space from interfering with the stability of the TT. If thats to much money a more advanced AR turntable would be another choice. I used a M&K surround system with K7 satellite speakers with a dual 8" M&K subwoofer using a NAD Combi amp, tuner, Blu ray player with 45 watts per-channel. Make sure you have soft curtains, carpet on the floor, and a heavy curtains to cover the front windshield other wise the definition of the system will be compromised. Dual pane windows will keep the neighbors from complaining in RV parks. Sorry I don't have any close ups. This system replaced an awful Bose system.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

View attachment 2698415 View attachment 2698416 Because RV's are not very rigid even if you own a Prevost I would recommend a Thorens TD 125 to prevent flexing of the space from interfering with the stability of the TT. If thats to much money a more advanced AR turntable would be another choice. I used a M&K surround system with K7 satellite speakers with a dual 8" M&K subwoofer using a NAD Combi amp, tuner, Blu ray player with 45 watts per-channel. Make sure you have soft curtains, carpet on the floor, and a heavy curtains to cover the front windshield other wise the definition of the system will be compromised. Dual pane windows will keep the neighbors from complaining in RV parks. Sorry I don't have any close ups. This system replaced an awful Bose system.

I'd recommend buying a broadcast turntable for use in an RV. Or at least a Technics SL-1200 Mk II or GR, my springy floor problem is trivial compared to any RV, trailer, or remote broadcast van or truck/semi trailer.

 

[adnick]

View attachment 2698415 View attachment 2698416 Because RV's are not very rigid even if you own a Prevost I would recommend a Thorens TD 125 to prevent flexing of the space from interfering with the stability of the TT. If thats to much money a more advanced AR turntable would be another choice. I used a M&K surround system with K7 satellite speakers with a dual 8" M&K subwoofer using a NAD Combi amp, tuner, Blu ray player with 45 watts per-channel. Make sure you have soft curtains, carpet on the floor, and a heavy curtains to cover the front windshield other wise the definition of the system will be compromised. Dual pane windows will keep the neighbors from complaining in RV parks. Sorry I don't have any close ups. This system replaced an awful Bose system.

Appreciate the tips…don’t think area stability will be an issue for the 124 but it’s something I have the stuff to address if it’s an issue.

Space is my biggest consideration, and the old system has been removed, (except for the speakers). The acoustics are certainly complicated to say the least

Andy

 

[adnick]

I'd recommend buying a broadcast turntable for use in an RV. Or at least a Technics SL-1200 Mk II or GR, my springy floor problem is trivial compared to any RV, trailer, or remote broadcast van or truck/semi trailer.

Luckily I’ve several broadcast table options

Andy

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Luckily I’ve several broadcast table options

Andy

Excellent, Andy. The TD-124 Mk II was skittish for me, in broadcast duty at WUUU-FM 94.3 (The One For You) in emergency on air, and FM production use. We used SME 3009 II arms on these, and the Stanton 681 EE cartridges. We used these when the tape automation was giving problems and with the tape decks used in live assist when we were manned in failure mode or special programming.

 

[adnick]

Excellent, Andy. The TD-124 Mk II was skittish for me, in broadcast duty at WUUU-FM 94.3 (The One For You) in emergency on air, and FM production use. We used SME 3009 II arms on these, and the Stanton 681 EE cartridges. We used these when the tape automation was giving problems and with the tape decks used in live assist when we were manned in failure mode or special programming.

Thanks Kent, certainly don’t have the vast experience you have with tables…In my own evaluation of tables at my disposal the TD 124 gives me the smallest footprint with the best performance; with the least work to configure it for the job

The 124 motor mounts are larger than the originals and made from new fangled material, and the original plinth also has the new fangled pods underneath each adjustment wheel. Have a hardwood platform that the Fisher 800 will sit on, ( it’s in a wood case) then the TD 124 will sit on top….

The RV is at a remote location so my work in sporadic, we’ll see how it goes…..

VR
Andy

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Thanks Kent, certainly don’t have the vast experience you have with tables…In my own evaluation of tables at my disposal the TD 124 gives me the smallest footprint with the best performance; with the least work to configure it for the job

The 124 motor mounts are larger than the originals and made from new fangled material, and the original plinth also has the new fangled pods underneath each adjustment wheel. Have a hardwood platform that the Fisher 800 will sit on, ( it’s in a wood case) then the TD 124 will sit on top….

The RV is at a remote location so my work in sporadic, we’ll see how it goes…..

VR
Andy

I suspect your motor mounts and little tweaks will make your TD-124 better than what I know. There's a lot of upgrades, and newly made parts available now, which weren't for years when these classics got some age on them. Which is nice. I like seeing the cottage industry for these.

 

[adnick]

I suspect your motor mounts and little tweaks will make your TD-124 better than what I know. There's a lot of upgrades, and newly made parts available now, which weren't for years when these classics got some age on them. Which is nice. I like seeing the cottage industry for these.

Oh yeah that’s a good point and my 124 has all of the Audiosilente upgrades, didn’t mention everything, was focusing on things that might help it serve in its new home (RV).

When it comes back to the actual house the 124 goes back into the heavy plinth, it’s a very simple change over, the hardest part is mounting the long tonearm. In the heavy plinth configuration it weighs over 60 lbs and has a huge footprint, as a clue to how big the plinth is, that long arm is a little over 400mm in total length



In what I’m calling the RV configuration it 40 lbs lighter and the footprint is also greatly reduced, there’s a trade off in overall SQ but that’s comparing it against itself

 

[heyraz]

Andy...
Very cool. How are you going to level the turntable every time the RV moves to a new site?
I see 2 options...
A. Level the table only.
B. Level the entire rack.

I think you'll also need to secure the components and rack during travel. Wouldn't want things to slide while climbing/decending a hill, turning or stopping short.
Maybe detachable plywood (or something exotic) sides/front/rear panels attached to the corner posts.

Good luck and make it pretty!

Rich

 

[adnick]

Andy...
Very cool. How are you going to level the turntable every time the RV moves to a new site?
I see 2 options...
A. Level the table only.
B. Level the entire rack.

I think you'll also need to secure the components and rack during travel. Wouldn't want things to slide while climbing/decending a hill, turning or stopping short.
Maybe detachable plywood (or something exotic) sides/front/rear panels attached to the corner posts.

Good luck and make it pretty!

Rich

Rich:

Your way ahead of me I’m just trying to get it to fit without tripping over it

Leveling isn’t that big of an issue because it will only be used when parked and the RV leveled so it should level with the wheels…

I’ll let you know know about the rest of the issues when they cause problems

 

[heyraz]

Does your RV self level if the ground is unlevel?

 

[adnick]

Does your RV self level if the ground is unlevel?

Well it’s a combination of electric jacks (and manual jacks if it’s very un-level) but one does have to control the locking mechanisms, it only takes a few minutes….

 

[twiiii]

Foot falls and rocking motions of RV's are big problems so a TT thats depend on mass to remain stable will fail miserably. And unless the stabilizing jacks are on concrete or very thick asphalt the coach will still move, and acoustic feed back will be a problem if you are using a sub woofer or speaker reaching below 40 HZ. Also you will want a medium mass tone arm and cartridge with an advanced stylus shape with a higher tracking pressure to prevent movement causing mis-tracing. I have owned Limited three axles Airstreams. and high line 37' and 43' diesel motor homes with steel monocoque chassies and even with jacks they all will flex and move.

Staying in Durango Colorado, Boise Idaho or on the coast of California, Oregon or Washington prevailing winds will rock a coach unless you are fortunate to be facing into the wind. I guess, every where we have stayed in the Continental US and Canada can have big wind issues.

 

[adnick]

Foot falls and rocking motions of RV's are big problems so a TT thats depend on mass to remain stable will fail miserably. And unless the stabilizing jacks are on concrete or very thick asphalt the coach will still move, and acoustic feed back will be a problem if you are using a sub woofer or speaker reaching below 40 HZ. Also you will want a medium mass tone arm and cartridge with an advanced stylus shape with a higher tracking pressure to prevent movement causing mis-tracing. I have owned Limited three axles Airstreams. and high line 37' and 43' diesel motor homes with steel monocoque chassies and even with jacks they all will flex and move.

Staying in Durango Colorado, Boise Idaho or on the coast of California, Oregon or Washington prevailing winds will rock a coach unless you are fortunate to be facing into the wind. I guess, every where we have stayed in the Continental US and Canada can have big wind issues.

That’s informative for anyone who has no experience in any kind of mobile camper/RV. What tables have you tried in your different RV(s)?

Take a look at the arms in the photo one of them is an ESL 1000, it will literally play sideways (the company claimed it would play upside down ) Also have more tonearms than tables so I’ll find a match

However my in my initial tests it wasn’t the movement that presented the problem it was the space it took to assemble a playback system; having a separate amp, and preamp was just too cumbersome. Especially as @heyraz pointed out, it all has to be well secured for movement….

VR
Andy

 

[heyraz]

Honestly, I love your idea, it's cool. But for me... I have to consider trade-offs, alternatives and come to a compromise.

First and foremost (for me) is my album collection... it's much more valuable and irreplaceable than any of my hardware. I would prefer to not risk any of my vinyl collection.

Long story short... I would stream for this application. Not as cool as spinning vinyl, but no risk to my biggest investment...my records.

Also, if space is an issue, streaming takes up no space compared to albums.

That being said...if your desire is to travel the country and visit record stores along the way- disregard all of the above. You would be the coolest cat I have ever conversed with.

 

[adnick]

Honestly, I love your idea, it's cool. But for me... I have to consider trade-offs, alternatives and come to a compromise.

First and foremost (for me) is my album collection... it's much more valuable and irreplaceable than any of my hardware. I would prefer to not risk any of my vinyl collection.

Long story short... I would stream for this application. Not as cool as spinning vinyl, but no risk to my biggest investment...my records.

Also, if space is an issue, streaming takes up no space compared to albums.

That being said...if your desire is to travel the country and visit record stores along the way- disregard all of the above. You would be the coolest cat I have ever conversed with.

Rich:

Understand, have some valuable records in my collection and they won’t be going with me even though I’m confident in the ability to protect them. On the other hand many of my favorites exist in multiple copies and some of the popular jazz copies are easily replaced.

The Fisher 800 has excellent AM/FM capabilities, I’m a weirdo that likes pursuing AM late at night, and adding a CD player is simple.

The overall driving desire to do this is the experience of being able to do this, the interaction with the table and music is extremely satisfying.
Personally view the whole setup as a work of art, an artistic vintage display that’s interactive

It floods my senses, visibly, audibly, and physically, much more than passively listening to broadcast and/or streaming music….


BTW love the idea of visiting record shops around the country