DIY TT

@holmz I use a TT with a 86db S/N R, which is the SP10 MkII that has been fully overhauled by an Engineer, who is a recognised  authority on this model of TT in the UK.

This is my go to TT over all my other TT's, for three reasons,

One, being I really enjoy the replays when using it.

Two, a good friend has helped me source it and gave it their special attention on my behalf.

Three, I had an input in to the aesthetic that the chassis has had applied to it.

It was the SP10 MkII Model, when first encountered quite a few years past, that was the encouragement to change from Idler Drives as being my go to TT's.

The idea of leaving Idler Drives in Massey plinths was a wrench, but the DD in a Lightweight Plinth took the mantle. 

It has also been the impression that this TT has made, that has spurred myself on to collect a selection of different Brands of DD TT's, even though these are TOTR Consumer Models and not a Model produced to be used for professional purposes.

Interestingly Juergen also owns the SP10 MkII.

The following is an update on the work he has been undertaking with the TT last year.

I have a range of Platter Mats I use on all my TT's, when you are set up, maybe this can be a side bar inquiry to see if further improvement can be suggested by discussing Mats and the perceived impaction they have on a SQ. 

I'm curious what you report,
I'm also trying out different mats on my SP10 - MKII drive.

For example, the following bronze plate fits exactly into the plate cut-out:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/164682…db0097:g:uxkAAOSw34JgCcv2

I currently have the thick Zanden rubber mat on it

http://www.zandenaudio.com/product/TPM-1.php

which also fits into the plate cut-out.
I had already looked at the OMA, but had not yet been able to try it.
Greeting

Juergen

@holmz , you really can't take a Sota apart. The cover (that is what Sota calls it) has the three feet attached to it and the sub chassis which has the main bearing and tonearm board is suspending inside from 4 damped springs. In all but the Cosmos the sub chassis are MDF and composites and not very attractive. The Cosmos sub chassis is machined from billet aluminum and is very cool looking but I still would not use it without a proper suspension. The Sota suspensions are precisely tuned for a certain mass which is why Sota makes specific weight tonearm boards for various weight arms. Some arms like the Kuzma 4 point11 are just too heavy for it. David Fletcher, the original designer of the Sota did not even consider anything larger than a 9-10 inch arm because as @rauliruegas has mention, given the physics involved it is silly to do so. 12" arms are bad news regardless of what anybody thinks they hear. I would trust the science way before anyone's hearing. Unless you want to buy a Dohmann Helix one, the best way to have a second tonearm is just get another Sota. You can get 6 of them for the price of one Dohmann:-)

I got the Garrott Bros p77i running today, and played 20 LPs (parts of them anyhow).
It was pretty enjoyable, and that cartridge was sounding pretty nice.

There is the eclipse more and roadrunner option for the Sota, and I was expecting that to be able to be done in the field. I do have a lathe and access to most shop tools… but we will see, and the idea of a long shipment is distressing.

But as it is playing now, I am a but happier than yesterday.

Pindac, I did some research on line.  From what I can tell, the DP80 was optionally equipped with a gunmetal platter MAT by some end users.  Not a gunmetal platter.  There was back and forth discussion of the benefits or lack thereof, on Audiokarma. Perhaps that is what you meant.

Like it (Mijostyn) or not (me), a Sota Sapphire in a different plinth (or "cover") is still a Sota Sapphire.  Not much innovation or creativity is involved.  I thought Holmz wanted to start from scratch. The best thing one could do for a Sota Sapphire is to equip it with the Sota Eclipse mod.  That would be a much bigger benefit to its performance than would a new plinth. My opinion, of course.

I had used the A&R Cambridge P77 many years past and have still go the main body stored.

This was the Cartridge that I felt was most impressive out of other MM's when used on my Belt Drive TT and in the early stages of my use of Idler Drives.

When I am done with my MC days, when the ears don't justify the expense of purchasing one.

I will be trying out the P77 once more, with a new Cantilever and Stylus along with my AT - 150's and HOMC's I have in the Cart' collection.