What to do with a Project Essential?

[Psimonics]

I recently got a new TT, but I still have my old Project Essential, to which I added a couple of upgrades - brass footers made by Edensound and an acrylic platter. I also added a Speedbox 2 - that failed which was my reason for deciding to get a new TT, as the Speedbox isn't sold in Japan anymore.

I looked into selling the Project, but it doesn't look like I'd get much more than the cost of a meal, so I'm wondering if I could make something of it.

Make a better Plinth? Replace the motor with a better one, mounted separately from the plinth? (motor noise on it really irritated me sometimes).

Problem is, I have no experience whatsoever. If anyone has any suggenstions or can point me to resources etc. I'd be grateful.

Cheers,
Simon

 

[Mister Pig]

Well if you are going to upgrade it, it is going to cost you money. You could build a split plinth for it like the Music Hall and have dampening material between the two halves. You could get a stand alone motor assembly, there are some Chinese ebay motors and pods available. But they cost more than a few bucks. If the motor is really the only issue, then perhaps just replacing it with a good quality one is an option. You might have to cut a new plinth to drill the spot to mount a new motor. It might not be a drop in replacement for the Project one. Or perhaps you would have to just open the mounting spot.

The other option might be to part the table out and see if you can make more money off its sale that way. Might be a possibility, at least the arm, dust cover, feet, spindle assembly,even the plinth should have potential buyers.

Regards
Mister Pig

 

[Psimonics]

Well if you are going to upgrade it, it is going to cost you money. You could build a split plinth for it like the Music Hall and have dampening material between the two halves. You could get a stand alone motor assembly, there are some Chinese ebay motors and pods available. But they cost more than a few bucks. If the motor is really the only issue, then perhaps just replacing it with a good quality one is an option. You might have to cut a new plinth to drill the spot to mount a new motor. It might not be a drop in replacement for the Project one. Or perhaps you would have to just open the mounting spot.

The other option might be to part the table out and see if you can make more money off its sale that way. Might be a possibility, at least the arm, dust cover, feet, spindle assembly,even the plinth should have potential buyers.

Regards
Mister Pig

Thanks for the tips. I don't mind spending a bit of money on it if I can make something of it. I could still sell off some of the parts that way. I quite fancy having a go at building a new plinth. Particularly I'd be interested in where I could pick up a decent motor, one with better specs than the original.

 

[Mister Pig]

Thanks for the tips. I don't mind spending a bit of money on it if I can make something of it. I could still sell off some of the parts that way. I quite fancy having a go at building a new plinth. Particularly I'd be interested in where I could pick up a decent motor, one with better specs than the original.

Well it depends on what you want to spend. I see pricing for the stock motor to be anywhere from $48 to $75 dollars it seems. Now if you want to build a new plinth, this might be an option, these are stand alone motor assemblies. They are quite a bit more than a Project replacement motor though, so it depends on what you want to invest in this adventure. Now the motor could be re-used in another turntable build if this kind of stuff floats your boat.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC21MKII-Se...087862?hash=item280d323c36:g:cLQAAOSwpDdVPddx

But I like this one better. Its a bit more money, but I think its worth it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jasmine-sep...480671?hash=item210711149f:g:MuIAAOSw6BtVSj3V

Good motors are not cheap. I believe the motor, pod, and controller for my Galibier sells for about $1K now. Should it cost that much? I dunno....but it does.

Your plinth can be more of a tear drop shape, and it becomes easier to locate the stand alone motor pod. Put adjustable feet on the plinth so you get the correct height for where the belt rides on the platter. Many of these tables use a string or fishing type line for the belt, Since the motors have pitch control, you can use a strobe disc to verify and tune speed.

Or you could locate it inside the plinth, and even could use a square plinth and accomplish what they are doing in this picture. But you would need adjustability on the plinth height to get the belt to ride at the proper position on the platter.

Personally I would part out or sell the Project table and use the funds for a good used second table. Or improve the cartridge on your current table. Or find better parts to build the DIY table from. If you shop carefully you can find a VPI 19 series platter and bearing assembly on the used market for $150 or $200 -depending on which series it comes from. Couple that with the Jasime motor and you got the corner stone pieces to a good DIY table.

Regards
Mister Pig

 

[Psimonics]

Well it depends on what you want to spend. I see pricing for the stock motor to be anywhere from $48 to $75 dollars it seems. Now if you want to build a new plinth, this might be an option, these are stand alone motor assemblies. They are quite a bit more than a Project replacement motor though, so it depends on what you want to invest in this adventure. Now the motor could be re-used in another turntable build if this kind of stuff floats your boat.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC21MKII-Se...087862?hash=item280d323c36:g:cLQAAOSwpDdVPddx

But I like this one better. Its a bit more money, but I think its worth it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jasmine-sep...480671?hash=item210711149f:g:MuIAAOSw6BtVSj3V

Good motors are not cheap. I believe the motor, pod, and controller for my Galibier sells for about $1K now. Should it cost that much? I dunno....but it does.

Your plinth can be more of a tear drop shape, and it becomes easier to locate the stand alone motor pod. Put adjustable feet on the plinth so you get the correct height for where the belt rides on the platter. Many of these tables use a string or fishing type line for the belt, Since the motors have pitch control, you can use a strobe disc to verify and tune speed.

Or you could locate it inside the plinth, and even could use a square plinth and accomplish what they are doing in this picture. But you would need adjustability on the plinth height to get the belt to ride at the proper position on the platter.

Personally I would part out or sell the Project table and use the funds for a good used second table. Or improve the cartridge on your current table. Or find better parts to build the DIY table from. If you shop carefully you can find a VPI 19 series platter and bearing assembly on the used market for $150 or $200 -depending on which series it comes from. Couple that with the Jasime motor and you got the corner stone pieces to a good DIY table.

Regards
Mister Pig

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I may well make a go of it and use the Jasmine motor. I'll probably only use the Project bearing assembly + the Acrylic platter and brass footers which I bought separately. From what I've read the bearing was the about the highest spec component in the Essential. That means I could still sell a few parts and get some money back.

Cheers,
Simon