Marco's Mad Boy Set-up

Here's afew pics to show you all what a proper hi-fi system looks like, haha :mullet:


http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4953/06082007074ic7.th.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007074ic7.jpg)


http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6448/06082007075ll9.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007075ll9.jpg)

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7530/06082007077sn2.th.jpg (http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007077sn2.jpg)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1329/06082007079io1.th.jpg (http://i)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1158/06082007080ty9.th.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2677/06082007082xh8.th.jpg (http://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007082xh8.jpg)


http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/356/06082007083lg5.th.jpg (http://img164.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007083lg5.jpg)

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8745/06082007086ul0.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007086ul0.jpg)


http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4029/06082007087zw1.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007087zw1.jpg)

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3019/06082007088nn2.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007088nn2.jpg)

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3208/06082007089wo7.th.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007089wo7.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3998/06082007090kk4.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007090kk4.jpg)

A few nice close-ups of John's superb brass counterweight:

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6739/06082007095jq9.th.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007095jq9.jpg)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3690/06082007097af2.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007097af2.jpg)


http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/763/06082007099un4.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007099un4.jpg)

And a couple of images ofakid-on hi-fi from the Toy Boy (whose superb camera phone provided the images):P


http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8462/13062007066gb8.th.jpg (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=13062007066gb8.jpg)

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8909/13062007067kd6.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=13062007067kd6.jpg)

Marco.

[thrunobulaxx]

Looks good Marco, what mat is that, it looks like a flattened boiled sweet :)

Hey, John, that's a Queens of the Stone Age album! :D

The mat(s) used underneath the LP are a Herbie's Way Excellent II and and an SDS Isoplatmat. I'll take a couple of pics and show you!

Marco.

John,

Here are some pics of the mats:

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8124/06082007106eb3.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007106eb3.jpg)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5306/06082007107wd5.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007107wd5.jpg)

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1060/06082007108zk3.th.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06082007108zk3.jpg)

The first mat (in the second photo), the SDS Isoplatmat, is there simply to remove any resonance from the platter, which is quite prominentwith direct-drive decks. Interestingly, tapping the platter afterinstalling the Isoplatmat results in a dull "thud" where before there was a definite "ring". It isextremely effective!

The second mat (which goes on top of the Isoplatmat)is the Herbie's, and it providesthe correct interfacefor the record. I auditioned quite a few mats (sad I know :D) and found this to be the best combination for an SL-1210. Read more about the Herbie's and SDS Isoplatmat (Sonphonon Sound Dead Steel Laminate)in the links below:

http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/ttmat.htm

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0906/sound_dead_steel.htm

Marco.

just need a good arm now..:whistle:

[thrunobulaxx]

Its a wonder you have enough spindle left exposed to put the LP on :D

I had seen these while checking out mats, i ended up with the funk acromat but soon sold it on after realising that i could place the LP directly onto my top black acrylic platter and get just as good sounds,if not better without a mat, i have two 20mm acrylics piggybacked and so get no ringing to overcome.

The sandwich one looks a bit like the "accusteel" vibration absorbing stuff from R.S. components, which i line my kit cases with.

Nice pics, have you got enough Mana now ?:666gr:

Rudi,

Lol. The arm (although it doesn't look like it) has beenvery heavily modified and sounds NOTHING like the stock arm! :)

If you look at the pics closely, you'll notice a black coloured trough with "KAB electronics" written on it attached to the base of the arm. This is filled with silicone damping fluid, which is thenfed to the arm. Basically,the damping fluidacts a shock absorber and allows the cartridge to track the grooves of the record more accurately, especially whenrecords arewarped. This makes a very noticeableimprovement to sound quality.

Also, the arm has been completely rewired with Cardas silver linz cable (including the cartridge headshell leads)and of course Thruno's brass counterweight has been added to replace thestockTechnics one. I also have a metal alloy heashell to add to replace the Technics headshell. So all that's left of the original Technics arm is the arm tube! The arm, thus modified, outperforms the Hadcock GH242 I had before on my LP12, and a stripped and polished RB700, not to mention things like Ittoks and other Linn arms. I'd put the modified arm, performance-wise, quite comfortablyin the £800-1000 bracket. All-in-all the deck sounds awesome :cool:

Marco.

P.S I forgot to mention the centre spindle has been drilled out to accommodate a record clamp, which I wasn't using when the pics were taken - so there's yet another modification, not to mention the off-board PSU, which you can see on the other rack, that has a £650 Transparent mains lead plugged into it... :P

thrunobulaxx wrote:

Its a wonder you have enough spindle left exposed to put the LP on :D

I had seen these while checking out mats, i ended up with the funk acromat but soon sold it on after realising that i could place the LP directly onto my top black acrylic platter and get just as good sounds,if not better without a mat, i have two 20mm acrylics piggybacked and so get no ringing to overcome.

The sandwich one looks a bit like the "accusteel" vibration absorbing stuff from R.S. components, which i line my kit cases with.

Nice pics, have you got enough Mana now ?:666gr:




John,

There's plenty of spindle left (it seems to be quite long) after the mats are in place. Both the Herbie's and Isoplatmat are 2mm, and Ican still get the record clamp on after that :D

The Funk Achromat was very good on the Rega P5 and LP12, but not so good on the SL-1210. The reason is thatthe Achromat is 5mm, and as you really need to use two mats with the 1210 (the Isoplatmat and something else) to fully dampen platter resonance, there was too much of a dampening effect with the Achromat and the Isoplatmat together. The Achromat on its own didn't sufficiently dampen theplatter ringing, although sounding quite good.

So if anyone wants to buy a brand new 5mmblack Achromat feel free to PM me! :)

Your T/T is a different ball game as far as platter resonance is concerned! It's a smashing looking deckthat I'm sure must sound very good indeed. With regards to the 1210, the primary reason for me buying one is the quality of the direct-drive mechanism - this is absolutely superb,and everything else less so. However once you've carried out the appropriate modifications the deck turns into a proverbial giant-killer, able to hold its own with, in my opinion, T/Ts up to £3-4k. David Price’s modified SL-1200 outperformed an SME 10A in this month’s Hi-Fi World!

I am now of the firm opinion that direct-drive is a much superior system to belt-drive, and this is to do with speed stability, both motor-derived and through the effects ofstatic and dynamic stylus drag,which allhave a major knock-on effect on sound quality. Quite simply the direct-drive motor mechanism on the Technics is far more accurate than the usual puny Impex motor and 'rubber band' adopted by Linn and other boutique turntable manufacturers, even when expensive off-board PSUs are employed, so no matter how clever or elaborate the overalldesign most belt-drive T/Ts are hobbled from the beginning.

Mana? Yes I have enough for the moment, but these days as the company no longer exists it is relatively inexpensive to have your ownitems fabricated to the same specification, which I've already done.Virtually allmy supports are now made from non-magnetic stainless steel, not magnetic angle-iron, even the Soundstages (platforms under the racks to the uninitiated :P). The difference in performance is huge due to the effectiveness of stainless steel as a standmaterial, and the removal of the magnetic field around equipment. The only original Mana I have is my 6-tier rack and the stands my speakers sit on, along with the bottom larger pair ofSoundbases.

Happy days! :cool:

Marco.

[Steve Toy]

The kid-on hi-fi pictured is mine.

LOL. So perhaps you would share your recent experience of the deck withother peeps here? Since you intend to get one yourself... :D

Marco.

P.S Your system pics have now been posted on the HFC forum.

does ole bub know about your latest purchase ole boy?

[Steve Toy]

Having heard the Technics yesterday that I photographed I want one the same. Mine will probably go on an acrylic Quadrspire wallshelf and I'll choose a cheaper phonostage though so it won't be exactly the same.

Hi Rudi,

Dunno, mate,and don't really care. He wouldonly rubbish it thinking it was just a cheap 'DJ deck' because he doesn't know any better. The 'badge' isn't theright one for him, and becausethe retail price isn't£7k, or whatever an SME 20 costs,it can't be any good :whatever:

Marco.

Marco wrote:
Hi Rudi,

Dunno, mate,and don't really care. He wouldonly rubbish it thinking it was just a cheap 'DJ deck' because he doesn't know any better. The 'badge' isn't theright one for him, and becausethe retail price isn't£7k, or whatever an SME 20 costs,it can't be any good :whatever:

Marco.


spot on mate....

how does it compair to the lp12 then?

Musically, it's just as addictive and fun to listen to, but in terms of tonal and timingaccuracy, and retrievalof musical information (if you really want to hear what's been recordedon albums) there is absolutely no contest. The LP12 istired andponderous soundingin comparison. But then, so are most other belt-drives I've heard compared to the modified SL-1210.

Marco.

[ray70]

Very nice Marco. So is the LP12 history now or do you still have it in reserve?

Hi ray,

Nope, the LP12 has been sold. It was a nice deck and I got a lot of pleasure from it, so no regrets on that score. But D/D is where I'm at now. I may also look at obtaining a second-hand EMT in the near future, as I've always admired their designs. You should investigate direct-drives - they give you an entirely different insight into your record collection :)

Marco.

[ray70]

Thanks Marco. Just realised my component list is out of date - I sold my LP12 recently tooand now have a Spacedeck. A big improvement but there is still the hint that it's a bit slow and plondering whencompared to my CDP.

Did you get all your bits (including the TT) from KAB or did you just buy someaccessories from them?

ray,

I bought the wholeshebang from KAB, deck included. If you're interested, you're looking at around£1500 for everything including shipping and excise duty into the UK. This is for a deck that once up and running will compete in the £3-4K arena, depending on what cartridge and phono stage is used.

Marco.

[The Professor]

out of curiosity Marco, what £3-4k decks did you compare it with?

[j7]

why not bring it with you when you are up here :D

The Professor wrote:
out of curiosity Marco, what £3-4k decks did you compare it with?
Hi Paul,

£3-4k decks I've either used myself recently or in the past, such as variousLinns, Roksans, Michells, Phonosophie, etc, or ones I've heard fairly extensively in other systems such as SMEs, Clearaudios, VPIs, and Rega P9 (with Lyra Helikon). All those are great decks with particular strengths in different areas, butNONE of them have the tonal accuracy, bass drive,and musical dexterity of the modified 1210 :)

Marco.

j7 wrote:
why not bring it with you when you are up here :D
That's a defo,dood - well the deck, anyway :P

I want you to put some of your super-duper oil in it, so you can have a quick listen while it's there. It should make ya Yams boogie:cool:

Marco.

[j7]

thumbs up for a yam bass boost :pirate:

This time I promiseI'll remember to bring a power supply! :D

Have you got a decent MC stage, btw? 'Cos the 103 Pro will be fitted. If not, I'll bring the matching step-up tranny and yoo can shlip it into an MM jobby.

Marco.

[j7]

yes bring joor matchin transformer as well

may as well do it right baby:pirate:

Nae bother, darlin' :P

Will I be safe up in that big bad loft? Hehe... :evilgrin:

Marco.

[j7]

heheh just depends if u miss the step on the down lolol:rotfl:

[The Professor]

Marco wrote:
The Professor wrote:
out of curiosity Marco, what £3-4k decks did you compare it with?
Hi Paul,

£3-4k decks I've either used myself recently or in the past, such as variousLinns, Roksans, Michells, Phonosophie, etc, or ones I've heard fairly extensively in other systems such as SMEs, Clearaudios, VPIs, and Rega P9 (with Lyra Helikon). All those are great decks with particular strengths in different areas, butNONE of them have the tonal accuracy, bass drive,and musical dexterity of the modified 1210 :)

Marco.






thats a bi vague though Marco, what decks did you compare at home with your cart.

The reason I ask, I often hear folks talk about tonally accurate, yet I also find we have a different idea of what tonnally accurate is, take a system playing piano muisc, one man will describe the sound as slightly metallic, another will think it tooo warm, yet system is the same, perhaps tonnality often comes from what we are used to hearing, (very different from the LP12 that has coloured your judgement for so long, not a crtiticism, mearly how it is) rather than what it sounded like in the recording studio?

I also find comparing products by price folly too, (In the £3-4k arena) some decks in that area are good, some not so, and some that cost less make a more pleasing sound.

Having said that I'm glad you are enjoying your new spinner.

Johnnie,

Haha... I remember nearly careering down them on ma botty :D

Themz evil stairs, dood :666gr:

Paul,

I know where you're coming from, but since the 1210was comingfrom America there was no way of comparing it with other decks at home prior to purchase. I'd fancied a direct-drive T/T for a while, either an SP10 or an EMT, but the EMT was a bit unpractical size-wise, and I couldn't find a decent SP10 (in a plinth) that hadn't been shagged after being used in a radio station. So I did some research into the 1210 and discovered its history; that it didn't start out as a DJ deck - far from it. It was originally built as a high precision turntable (in the 70s) sharing its genes with the renowned SP10,but later because of its rugged construction, fast start-up time, etc, it was adopted by DJs, and its subsequentpopularity for usein clubs ensured its continued existence.

Regarding comparing it against £3-4k T/Ts; my experience of the T/Ts listed, either in my own system or in others, tells me the modified 1210 can hold its own with any of them, and in some cases better them quite considerably, particularly in the bass. I've not heard a belt-drive T/T (at any price) that can pile-drive bass notes into the room with such slam and intensity with appropriate music,whilst ensuring that it remains rhythmic and tuneful, too. Belt-drive bass is simply limp, woolly, and ill-defined in comparison. Further up the frequency range, things are no less impressive, due to the superior speed stability of a direct-drive mechanism. Voices and acoustic instruments are more accurately reproduced - and by "accurate", Paul,I mean “accurate”as far ashow I consider them to sound based on what I hear when I listen to live music.

If you're around when I come up, I'll have the deck with me so you can judge for yourself :cool:

Marco.

[The Professor]

Marco thanks for that, just curious, as one mans description of how something sounds can wildly differ, it all depends on your experiences.

For example someone listeing to an entry level system will wouw at the next level, whereas someone coming from a better resolved system will hear faults compared to his reference.

When coming up you'll need to bring a tranny as i have a 47kohm stage

Hi Paul,

I agree. I'll bring the transformer with me when I come up. We'll arrange a date nearer the time :cool:

Marco.