Author Topic: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm  (Read 2456 times)

Offline Nick B

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resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:58:10 PM »
I’ve mentioned in the past that I haven’t used my turntable in many years and would likely sell it. I’ve had a bit of a change of heart recently and was curious to get it going again. I bought the Basis Ovation in about 1990 as well as the Graham 1.5t arm. The Basis is a heavy beast weighing in at 70 lbs. The dealer likely did the delivery and setup.

I spoke with Basis about a new belt, putting in new bearing oil and new fluid for the four adjustable pillars. The pricing was reasonable although the belt was over $100. The problem is the work involved in moving the table onto a counter to do the work. That’s problem number one. The next problem is the four pillars actually drop down for removal. So I would have to position the table to where I could remove one pillar at a time and also put books or whatever to support the corresponding area of the table.

Then there is the issue of getting a stand that is sturdy enough to support 70 lbs on the top shelf. I already have a Pangea stand from Audio Advisor, but the metal cross bracing isn’t separately available from Pangea. I would have to buy another stand from them with the braces included and that would run me $200. I also have a Don Sachs phono stage that I have yet to use. There would not be enough room for me to add both the turntable and the phone stage.

The Graham unipivot arm needs new oil/fluid and I bought that from Bob Graham a few years ago. I found that package today. I’m two hours from Las Vegas and maybe there’s a skilled tt specialist there. The table would still need to be loaded into my car for transit.
The table needs to be transported nearly flat so that the fluid in the pillars doesn’t leak out. The critical angle is no more than 15 degrees from horizontal.

So this is a lot of work to get it all going again. I guess I could sell the arm and tt and buy new. I’d take a hit on that, especially since I’m thinking about upgrading the Border Patrol dac and getting subs or new speakers. Audio sure is a great hobby  :roll:  :duh
« Last Edit: October 10, 2019, 10:01:39 PM by Nick B »
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Offline S Clark

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2019, 11:37:35 PM »
I've never seen one of those tables in person, but looking photos, I understand your reservations.  How may pieces make up those feet? And those are fluid filled?  Sounds like you need another pair of hands to help take it apart and reassemble. 
Is that a flat belt?  Origin Live could probably save 50%.  I'd use 0w20 synthetic on the platter bearing.  It's better than anything they used to use.  If the platter lifts off, the belt and bearing oil is a piece of cake. 
But when you finish, that's a beautiful table you've got.   :thumb:
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Offline Folsom

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2019, 01:36:09 AM »
I don't think you'd like the price tag to buy new into that kind of territory of quality. North of $10k I'm sure.

Since when is anything with vinyl easy? ! The driving part seems kinda odd... to me it sure seems like there should be ways to do it all at home, even if it's a bear. If it were on an island could you just slide a pillar off at a time?

Offline Nick B

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2019, 08:46:54 AM »
I've never seen one of those tables in person, but looking photos, I understand your reservations.  How may pieces make up those feet? And those are fluid filled?  Sounds like you need another pair of hands to help take it apart and reassemble. 
Is that a flat belt?  Origin Live could probably save 50%.  I'd use 0w20 synthetic on the platter bearing.  It's better than anything they used to use.  If the platter lifts off, the belt and bearing oil is a piece of cake. 
But when you finish, that's a beautiful table you've got.   :thumb:

The pillar I believe consists of the top, adjustable round piece, two pins inside and the fluid containing pillar/reservoir. The belt is flat and is 38” and I’ll look at the Origin site. The platter is now off and I see there are 3 screws holding the spindle in place. As to that extra pair of hands, I’m trying to think who could help. We live in a retirement community.
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
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TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Nick B

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2019, 08:53:13 AM »
I don't think you'd like the price tag to buy new into that kind of territory of quality. North of $10k I'm sure.

Since when is anything with vinyl easy? ! The driving part seems kinda odd... to me it sure seems like there should be ways to do it all at home, even if it's a bear. If it were on an island could you just slide a pillar off at a time?

Yes, it would be a hefty price. That Audiomods 6 arm you mentioned would cost maybe $1,500. I have no idea what a good table would run. I already a cartridge. Putting it on an island would certainly work. Doubt I could move it there on my own with my back issue.
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Folsom

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2019, 11:03:26 AM »
Well I don't know the local community, or if you got kids or anything.

I do think they are worth the effort. Vinyl can be fun, you could get into some of the recordings Scott posts, he knows some stuff. Just my opinion that as a hobby it is evolving enough that you don't even have to be listening to music all the time to participate in it.

Hell, I know a guy who pretty well lives on selling them and has tens of thousands, doesn't even listen.

Offline rollo

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2019, 12:00:41 PM »
  Nick you would have to get the work done to sell it anyway. I would find a helping hand and put new fluids in. As far as a support another issue.
 IMHO unless you have a large LP collection just sell it. A music server WILL be just as good. The Innuos goes very well with Gary's DAC. That is where I would spend my money. My TT has been idle for some time now using Zenith mk3.


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Offline Nick B

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2019, 01:25:58 PM »
Well I don't know the local community, or if you got kids or anything.

I do think they are worth the effort. Vinyl can be fun, you could get into some of the recordings Scott posts, he knows some stuff. Just my opinion that as a hobby it is evolving enough that you don't even have to be listening to music all the time to participate in it.

Hell, I know a guy who pretty well lives on selling them and has tens of thousands, doesn't even listen.

Well, no kids and older neighbors, just like me! Ah, this getting older stuff :shock:
There are a couple of guys who might help me out to place it to work on. It’s probably a worthwhile endeavor as I’d never ship this table. Would drive reasonable distances though to get to a buyer. Anyway.... your points are well taken. Just curious...what’s your opinion on keeping my old Graham 1.5 unipivot versus getting the Audiomods 6 arm?
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Nick B

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2019, 01:35:23 PM »
  Nick you would have to get the work done to sell it anyway. I would find a helping hand and put new fluids in. As far as a support another issue.
 IMHO unless you have a large LP collection just sell it. A music server WILL be just as good. The Innuos goes very well with Gary's DAC. That is where I would spend my money. My TT has been idle for some time now using Zenith mk3.


charles

Charles, you’re probably right about the salability of the tt. I’ve probably got 300 - 400 albums plus another 300 or more that a relative gave me.  I’ve looked at the Innous products and just saw the mini version that will accept and tag CDs. My old Auralic mini and dedicated power supply seem quite good and before that a slightly modded Squeezebox...which always gave me trouble.
I know Innous also offers a dedicated power supply for their mini. Their other units seem a bit pricey. I have no idea how long Innous has been around and I’m often concerned about whether boutique companies will survive long term.
Nick
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Folsom

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Re: resurrecting my turntable and tonearm
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2019, 06:54:20 PM »
The Graham tonearm is a damn good tonearm. "Upgrading" to the Audiomods would mostly just be about being fun unless you dislike the Graham for some reason.