Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

I had a company interested in me working for them just through reputation years ago. I didn’t even return the call. Why? The owner’s name was Richard Balls, and he went by Dick. I couldn’t even handle the thought of meeting Dick Balls without dying laughing. I still can’t.

I’m so juvenile, but I’m fun! 😂😂😂😂😂
 
Since this is the thread where it all started, figured I'd come back with an update on the Garrard 401 that @HiFi Guy guided me to in Portland, Oregon. I completed my trip last Saturday and was able to get the table set up that night, but it wasn't until tonight that I think I finally have everything dialed in just as all of it should be. The first major challenge was the SME 3012 II tonearm. So many weights and angles to adjust that there are a lot more steps involved than I'm used to for setting the tracking force and the anti-skate. Thought I had it figured out, then @HiFi Guy reminded me it's a good idea to read the manual. I thought I had! but apparently not when I most needed to, so eventually, I got all of that sorted and the arm appears balanced, level, perfectly positioned, etc. Beyond tweaks, the most concerning issue was that the table was running a bit fast, and the speed control was maxed out to the 'slower' side of the scale. I had every reason to believe I could solve this by replacing the 50 Hz pulley that came with the unit, with a 60 Hz pulley I ordered from the UK. I was able to swap those out earlier in the week, but nothing really changed, which was puzzling. Until I figured out the tech at the shop where I bought the unit probably had reduced (by sanding) the diameter of the 50 Hz pulley to get the unit running close to speed (just a bit fast) when I bought it, so that in effect, there really wasn't much (if any) functional difference between the two pulleys. Looking online for alternative solutions, a number of people had written of a problem with the turntable's magnetic bar that controls the speed brake and is the main mechanism involved in fine-tuning the set speed. Over time, the magnet loses its magnetic force, but adding a small, strong magnet to it can solve the problem. I won't go into all the ways I misunderstood how this would work with the 401. Suffice it to say, after a few 'doh!'s' and a few 'aha!'s', I figured it out and indeed a small neodymium magnet solved the problem. The unit is now running to speed with the speed adjustment control centered. Here are a couple of photos, and a link to a brief video, all from before the speed problem was solved.

G4013.jpg

G4012.jpg

Link to Video
 
While we’re still on the Garard. Not at all jealous by the way, totally don’t want one…. 😂

The place I bought my project isolation box have just shared this new prototype. I’m not sure if I love it or don’t like it. Is it just too traditional or is it actually really nice.

Being who they are it will be a beautifully built piece of kit that does it’s job to the highest standard.

 
Joe Mac said:
While we’re still on the Garard. Not at all jealous by the way, totally don’t want one…. 😂

The place I bought my project isolation box have just shared this new prototype. I’m not sure if I love it or don’t like it. Is it just too traditional or is it actually really nice.

Being who they are it will be a beautifully built piece of kit that does it’s job to the highest standard.

Click to expand...

Reminds me of an Empire 598.

IMG_2283.jpeg
 
Lee Newman said:
Most interesting so far with the new amp, is right now I have it cranked and my wife has not said anything about it being loud. I wonder if she notices how much better it sounds or if it hasn’t even occurred to her.
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It’s my theory that better gear can be played louder without discomfort.

A watt or two from a crappy car stereo can have me reaching for the volume to turn it down or even off.
 
Joe Mac said:
While we’re still on the Garard. Not at all jealous by the way, totally don’t want one…. 😂

The place I bought my project isolation box have just shared this new prototype. I’m not sure if I love it or don’t like it. Is it just too traditional or is it actually really nice.

Being who they are it will be a beautifully built piece of kit that does it’s job to the highest standard.

Click to expand...

I really like the look of it when it’s all closed up (and I’d sure like to have a well-fitted dust cover!), but I don’t much care for the look of the uncovered turntable having three walls around it. Then again, I probably would have a completely different take if I saw it in person.
 
Russ I said:
I really like the look of it when it’s all closed up (and I’d sure like to have a well-fitted dust cover!), but I don’t much care for the look of the uncovered turntable having three walls around it. Then again, I probably would have a completely different take if I saw it in person.
Click to expand...

Funnily enough I was the other way around. I wasn’t sure of the wooden bar across the top on the dust cover but liked the open look. It does look a bit like an old school cabinet in a jewellery.
 
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