Since all the others who's turntables Peter fettled during his Ulster Odyssey have long since posted I guess it's about time I got around to it myself.
I've had a few problems with my system of late, the Supercap and 250 both having been attended to and the Prefix, complete with new board in Peter's posession en route from Naim to my LP12.

Despite this the turntable, running into Dan's K boards was still off colour. Most frustrating.

Arrived at Brad's, after a 2 hour drive and we played some records before Dan delivered Peter. Peter set about my turntable straight away, stripping it to the bare bones, wrestling with teh top plate on the floor and then rebuilding it all. Of course the turntable wouldn't co-operate an dit took several hours of fettling to get all in order. Unfortunately this left little time for listening before I had to leave and could only manage a couple of tracks. The performance was exemplary. Shook hands said farewells and headed off for another 2 hour slog theough Belfast's gridlock.

Since reinstating the TT at home the performance has been variable. Very rarely inspiring, mostly mediocre and at times unbearable. Indeed I put a record on as I started to write this and could only stand a couple of minutes before having to take it off again. Currently I'm at a loss as to what the problem is as pretty much every component has been replaced, repaired or tweaked. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity for a more prolonged audition in Brad's system and see if it maintains it's performance there. In the meantime it's looking like a very un-merry itunes Christmas.

Regards,

Willy.

Hi Willy,

Most wierd

Yes, as you said; your P12 sounded great at Brad's when we played it through his system.

If you can hook up with Brad or Dan to confirm the problem is not the LP12, that would be the first and most logical step. As you know, your old Prefix board was replaced with a new one, so while I would expect some changes during burn in, nothing like what you are describing!

Is it right that the Supercap and 250 were returned to Naim because of this ongoing problem, or is this different? Has anyone looked at the 32.5? Are you using your Supercap or Flatcap to power the Prefix? How does your Planet sound in comparison? Is it variable in it's sound too?
What's your power supply like locally (Am I right that you are indeed living on an island)? Do the Supercap and 250 transformers buzz excessively?

I guess that will do for starters.... feel free to phone tomorrow (Saturday) if you like and I'll try and get my head round your problem. Pictures of the room and system would be useful too.

Kind regards,

Peter

Peter,

So far we've identified and fixed faults in teh Supercap, 250 and Prefix. As I'm sure you can imagine bugtracing with three faults and no local naim dealer has been a real hoot! Will give you a call tomorrow and try post some photos before then.

Regards,

Willy.

PS Planet is gone but itunes from a noisy laptop through a port replicator and the cheapest cable maplin bits would make knocks spots off my LP12!

quote:

itunes from a noisy laptop through a port replicator and the cheapest cable maplin bits would make knocks spots off my LP12!

= Oh dear!!!

Peter

Whilst bending over to plug in the iron the other week (I get brownie points by ironing whilst listening) I noticed a noise coming from the speaker. Sort ot a "tuh-tuh-tuh-tuh-tuh" roughly every 5 seconds though varying slightly. On both channels and with the pre-amp muted. Kept checking over several days and it was mostly there but not always. Had me perplexed as it couldn't be a source thing due to the mute being on so had assumed some major interference issue.

This morning, not very early, I decided to have a go and see if I could elimate anything. Swapped out the 102 for my old 32 and ...silence..back and forward several times and the noise was only there with the 102.
Fired up itunes and had a listen. Bit less harsh, bit more detail. Definitely an improvement despite the 32 being cold.

Had breakfast with Amy Winehouse on itunes and then braved an LP. Yes. Tunes. Been several hours of music since with the TT not putting a foot wrong.

Meanwhile best get back to the ironing. Gonna need all the brownie pints I can muster for the repatriation of my big black briks!

Willy.

"It boogies like a bastard!......Eventually"

Willy,

Let's hope that you have finally located the problem with your system.

Happy New Year

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Yeldarb:
Willy,

Let's hope that you have finally located the problem with your system.

Happy New Year

Brad

I'll drink to that! Let me know next time you and Dan are getting together and if I'm around I'll join you. In the meantime a happy new year to all.

Regards,

Willy.

Hi Willy,

Very interesting! I thought you were still using the 32.

I'm very glad to hear the LP12 is at last "delivering" in your system and it certainly appears the 102 has a problem!

If you would like me to take a listen to the 102 next week? Just box it up and send it over to me and I'll have a play with it for you.

In the mean time, A happy new year to all

Peter

Do Polarbears drink shandy? Because they shouldn't!

God forbib Mr C nothing so crude

quote:

Originally posted by Cymbiosis:
Hi Willy,

Very interesting! I thought you were still using the 32.

I was but picked up the 102 on fleabay when I was trying to determine which of my bits weren't working. When I got it it sounded better than the 32.

quote:

If you would like me to take a listen to the 102 next week? Just box it up and send it over to me and I'll have a play with it for you.

In the mean time, A happy new year to all

Peter

Will dig out the box and get it off to you. May be a day or two befor I get around to it.

Regards,

Willy.

quote:

Originally posted by Yeldarb:
Peter then did the LP12 felt mat demonstration – it really makes a difference and adds an extra degree of performance to the LP12.

What is the felt mat demonstration?

regards
HBerg

Play an LP, listen - take it off, remove the felt mat, turn it over and replace on platter. Replay the same LP, which side sounds better? If you can hear a difference, place a small piece of sellotape on the duff side (touching the platter) and listen and wonder at the effect that turning a mat can make. I was quite surprised when Peter did this chez-moi.

Am currently playing with different mats, all have interesting characteristics, but the felt mat offers the best balance for me.

Huw

OK, I thought this was the fix, but wondered if there could be anything else too.

I have experienced this on my LP12 and there is no doubt that one of the sides are sounding better than the other.

HBerg

Yes, good HBerg,

Just mark the underside of the mat once you have heard the difference and then it will save you time repeating the excercise if the mat pulls off the platter with the LP.

I use small self adhesive paper dots. I also only ever place the dot in an area under where the record label would be - not under the playing surface.

Regards,

Peter

Doh!

quote:

I also only ever place the dot in an area under where the record label would be - not under the playing surface.

A very vital fact that was omitted from my reply!
Sorry.

Brad.
You look like a boy riping out gift wrap from boxes under the christmas tree!

Very nice system.
I think i can see the grin!

Thanks Gianluigi,

The system sounds better and better, and you are right, it does bring a grin to my face By the way, the guy in the photos is Peter (Cymbiosis) - I am far from photogenic

Cheers

Brad

OPS!
My usual poor figure!


Hem...............
Peter!

You look like a boy riping out gift wrap from boxes under the christmas tree!
That's how hi-fi should be!
Cheers!
Gianluigi

quote:

Originally posted by Gianluigi Mazzorana:

Hem...............
Peter!

You look like a boy riping out gift wrap from boxes under the christmas tree!
That's how hi-fi should be!
Cheers!
Gianluigi

I'll take that as a complement Gianluigi?

I too, just like Brad am not photogenic though - far from it

I do get excited when opening boxes however

Kind regards,

Peter