Hi-Fi Audio Ultra-Fi DIY Headphile Blog - Stereo-Untypical

It was bent already, from a mishap a few months ago. But after realignment it was still working well. So this week I went to perform some mods - denuding, and possibly the ‘Uwe clone’ wood body. But I didn’t get far. I was able to denude the cartridge pretty easily; which left it looking like a Lyra with a very bent looking cantilever. So I got greedy and tried to bend it back ever so gently. I heard (or felt) a tiny ‘pop’ and thought, “uh oh…”. It looked ok still - to the naked eye - but sure enough, after a bit more handling, it just snapped right off.

Sometimes vinyl is just one frustration after another.

Live and learn…..

Tags: DIY, Turntables, Vinyl by admin
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This all began about 7 years ago as a ‘group buy’ DIY project, led more or less by Chris Brady and Thom Mackris. The concept was to design and build a high-end turntable based on the following components: a large, finely machined stainless steel main spindle bearing in a brass well, using a steel ball bearing and Delrin thrust plate; an outboard, belt drive motor assembly with an optical strobe speed control; and a massive, two-inch thick acrylic platter. Additional components were eventually offered that made up the Teres “kit”, these included an acrylic armboard and a Delrin record clamp.

Eventually Chris decided to take this work commercial, and the result is Teres Audio, whose turntables now span numerous models, and no kit offerings. In early 2002 I purchased a motor/controller assembly from a Teres user, and a platter and bearing (and clamp) from Teres. I mounted them on a homemade Cocobolo (rosewood) base, along with my Fidelity Research FR-64S tonearm. The sound of this analog front end was pure magic - it had weight, resolution and musicality…in spades. I eventually settled on using a Denon DL103D cartridge and RS Labs RS-A1 tonearm with my Teres.

Unfortunately the time came when I needed to rationalize my system, and I sold the Teres components to a friend, who has been enjoying them ever since. I still miss “my creation”, which is listed as Teres #34 in the ‘hall of fame’.

Tags: DIY, Turntables, Vinyl by admin
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For a simple, inexpensive plug’n'play solution focused on sound quality (not features), this offering from Pro-ject is certainly worth considering. That’s $299 for a brand-new unit with a warranty, fully assembled and ready to play vinyl - all that’s needed is an appropriate receiver and speakers.

From Needledoctor’s blurb:

“The Pro-Ject Debut includes a pre-mounted Ortofon OM-5E moving magnet phono cartridge and is an excellent choice for the audiophile seeking a cost effective vinyl playback solution. A felt-covered steel platter mates to a chrome plated stainless-steel axle running in a brass bearing housing for exceptional speed stability and accuracy. The aluminum tonearm employs inverted hardened stainless-steel points for superior tracking with the supplied phono cartridge. A silicone-damped armlift is supplied.”

This is not going to “blow away” a good digital playback chain, but it will sound good and allow you to play those LP’s. And that’s the whole point. For someone in need of a complete system, the Pro-ject, with an HK 3485 receiver, and AV123 x-ls bookshelf speakers would be a complete system of separate components at just over $700, brand new.

Tags: Turntables, Vinyl by admin
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I’m an enthusiastic proponent of the venerable Denon DL-103 phono cartridge. In production for more than 40 years, it remains a faithful transducer, well-designed, robust, and boasting a flat frequency response and excellent real-world performance. At $200 this cartridge is a no-brainer for anyone with a MC phono stage. If your phono section is low-gain (MM), consider the Lundahl LL9206 step-up transformers from K&K Audio. This adds $150 and gives you a killer MC setup. I use this setup with the Hagerman ‘Bugle’ MM battery phono stage.

Lately I’ve been reading about Uwe, a German fellow who crafts and sells wood bodies to replace the Denon’s plastic shell. He also sells ‘finished’ DL-103R’s in wood bodies. Below are examples of his Rosewood and Ebony bodied DL-103R’s. You can find them on eBay under seller name fivre.

I have some fine Nazareno wood (Purple Heart) that I bought in Costa Rica more than five years ago, I plan to attempt a ‘Uwe clone’ wood body and will report back on the results.

UPDATE: I was browsing Herbie’s Audio (known for their tube dampers) and noticed they have the Gabon Ebony Domes on closeout for $3.65 each…I ordered 3 of them. These look like they could be a good starting point for my Uwe Clone. (pic below) They measure 1″ round and 1/2″ high. I suppose they’d be more readily useable if they were pre-hollowed, but we’ll see.

Last pic is of Herbie’s “Gabon Ebony Domes”. (link)

Tags: Turntables, Vinyl by admin
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What’s untypical about this piece of mass-fi gear? It has a phono stage! Hallelujah, it seems that some manufacturers in 2007 are clued in to the fact that there’s a mini vinyl revival happening. Kudos to HK. Here is a bona fide, powerful 2-channel (stereo) receiver for a very good price ($250), and it will accept your turntable’s output directly (low-gain or typically moving-magnet/MM cartridge). I haven’t heard one but I’m told they aren’t terrible-sounding. Could be great for a starter system for your kid in college, a bedroom system, or your Aunt Edna with the stack of unloved Babs LP’s.

Harman Kardon HK3485 High-Current Stereo Receiver

You could also look at the HK3480, for about $50 less. Otherwise, there are the Onkyo and Outlaw Audio receivers, but they’re both a fair bit more expensive.

Tags: Turntables, Vinyl by admin
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