Who here owns their ultimate/dream/"grail" turntable and what is it?
- Thread starter Cosmo-D
- Start date
technome
New Member
My "Holy Grail" of nearly 40 years standing had been either a Michell Gyro or an Oracle Delphi. Six or seven years ago, I found a Gyro. It looked fantastic, but didn't really scratch the itch.
So, about a year ago, this Mk I Delphi came along. I already had the Jelco 9" tonearm.
Then I located a Mk V motor unit and a Jelco TK850S.
And finally, I drew up and made a replacement baseboard without the redundant holes, and sourced the SME M2-9.
So, yeah. My personal grail of turntables is here. There may be another arm in its future, but I doubt it...
So, about a year ago, this Mk I Delphi came along. I already had the Jelco 9" tonearm.
Then I located a Mk V motor unit and a Jelco TK850S.
And finally, I drew up and made a replacement baseboard without the redundant holes, and sourced the SME M2-9.
So, yeah. My personal grail of turntables is here. There may be another arm in its future, but I doubt it...
RD Airlines
Active Member
@technome , this is a stunning setup! I too have a Mk 1 Delphi (SME 309) and wonder about some of the upgrades. My power buttons are a little temperamental, so a new motor and control might be the first/best next step for me. I'm very interested to hear your experience with this upgrade and what differences you noticed.
Congrats again on obtaining your grail!
Congrats again on obtaining your grail!
technome
New Member
Thanks. I saw your Mk I with the SME 309. It's what prompted my post. I would like a 309, but the M2-9 works really well. I believe they are both 9.5g effective mass, and that works very well with the AT33SA. The 309s are too expensive, if I'm being realistic.
I bought it knowing the motor was 40 years old, and likely needing some attention. My switches were fine but the speeds were a little drifty. Nothing I could hear, but I could measure it, so I knew it was happening.
I got in touch with the official distributor in the UK, looking to get my motor unit brought up to current spec. I knew it wouldn't be cheap, but I was going to pay what was required if necessary. However, he had a used Mk V motor and a MK III sub-chassis (it has a cut-out that isn't on the Mk is and IIs). The cost was about one-third of the price for the factory upgrade to the current Mk VI type 2 spec, and it made sense to go that way. The speed stability is rock solid - 33.34 rpm all the time. Superb.
I did look at using a third party motor and controller, but the only affordable option was the same price as the used Mk V, and wouldn't have been any real improvement over the Mk I speed stability. Also, once you've fitted a non-Oracle motor, is it really still an Oracle? I don't think so...
im 2/3 the way there: got my endgame auto (denon dp-65F) & manual (rega p3 im upgradin parts on) tables. my endgame semi is denon do-67/72L. i may not make it there, but i sure am enjoyin this.
got my endgame cartridge (hana ml) and phono amp (tavish adagio) and line stage (van alstine fer valve cf rb), too!
got my endgame cartridge (hana ml) and phono amp (tavish adagio) and line stage (van alstine fer valve cf rb), too!
Well I always loved the way the Teres tables looked but was too far off for me to afford one back then. So I recently came across one local to me that was in NM condition upgraded motor and refurbished to new mechanically by the owner of Teres.
So I finally got a Teres and I love it , it’s currently paired with an Audiomods Series 6 tonearm with VTA on the fly, pure silver loom and ETI Research RCA plugs. I’m using an Air Tight PC-3 MC cart with it and the sound is heavenly to me.
Audiofreak71
So I finally got a Teres and I love it , it’s currently paired with an Audiomods Series 6 tonearm with VTA on the fly, pure silver loom and ETI Research RCA plugs. I’m using an Air Tight PC-3 MC cart with it and the sound is heavenly to me.
Audiofreak71
I don’t know about “grail” or “ultimate”, but I’m done looking. I feel no need to buy anything else I come across nor feel the need to find something “better”:
Dual 1249 and a Dual 1229Q.
Often maligned by “audiophiles” as “mass produced”, too complicated and (being an auto changer capable table) too noisy, I don’t see any of those issues after a thorough servicing and a few minor modifications, They fit my needs just right
Dual 1249 and a Dual 1229Q.
Often maligned by “audiophiles” as “mass produced”, too complicated and (being an auto changer capable table) too noisy, I don’t see any of those issues after a thorough servicing and a few minor modifications, They fit my needs just right
Last edited:
I'm 64 now and approaching retirement. As there's other components in my system that need to be upgrade before I retire and have little money, this Luxman PD-171A is going to have to be it.
Perhaps I can upgrade the tonearm and certainly add more cartridge choices, but the TT is staying. Other upgrades will be the phono amp, integrated amp, DAC, and streaming device.
Perhaps I can upgrade the tonearm and certainly add more cartridge choices, but the TT is staying. Other upgrades will be the phono amp, integrated amp, DAC, and streaming device.
Last edited:
T68
Super Member
After two years of planning, learning CAD, 3D-printing,CNC and laser-cutting. Countless hours of constructing. Making mumerous learning mistakes, frustrations, victories and then more mistakes.
But then finally being able to drop the needle and it sounds fantastic!!! Hard to beat that feeling.
... don't know if it's my holy grail TT, but it is very special to me.
My first homemade turntable (Lenco L75 based) with a diy:ed sideways unipivot acrylic truss tonearm.
But then finally being able to drop the needle and it sounds fantastic!!! Hard to beat that feeling.
... don't know if it's my holy grail TT, but it is very special to me.
My first homemade turntable (Lenco L75 based) with a diy:ed sideways unipivot acrylic truss tonearm.
I posted earlier in this thread about my desire to complete a top of the line HH Scott set from the 1979 line up.
About the time I completed that set with the HH Scott PS97XV, I discovered I had a crush on the Micro Seiki DD 40.
I did end up searching out the Micro Seiki and did get one.
This DD 40 may have been my grail turntable.
Since getting the DD 40 I have had no desire to get any other turntables,am completely satisfied!
About the time I completed that set with the HH Scott PS97XV, I discovered I had a crush on the Micro Seiki DD 40.
I did end up searching out the Micro Seiki and did get one.
This DD 40 may have been my grail turntable.
Since getting the DD 40 I have had no desire to get any other turntables,am completely satisfied!
adnick
Addicted Member
Congrats on a fantastic grease bearing 301, hope you enjoy it for decades to come…..As of today, I own my ultimate dream grail turntable.
Andy
