Need help - How to transport my turntable

You might consider not removing the platter but instead inserting foam between the platter and plinth at several points around the perimeter to raise it just enough to get it off the bearing. This will also help protect the remainder of the table by keeping everything together. The key is to stabilize all parts by preventing relative motion relative to one another and to the car as well.

Thanks a million guys.

I followed your collective advice and managed to get the turntable home safe and sound. It now sounds superb.

Well, here's what I did:

The dealer (Rob at Applause Audio in downtown Toronto) knew I didn't have the original box and he had already fashioned some blocks out of cardboard and foam that he wedged between the platter and plinth. We left the platter on since the wedges would prevent it from knocking against the bearing during the ride. We also left the arm on.

Being single and busy (lazy?), I have a cleaning lady from a housemaid service come to my loft every two weeks. Well, today was her lucky day -- after she was done I asked her if she would help me get my turntable (thanks, Hank, for the suggestion).

So I tipped her very generously, we grabbed a big pillow and a foam cushion, and got in my car. One of my neighbours saw us so I may have some explaining to do later on...

She sat with a foam cushion on her lap, and a thick down pillow on top of that -- which is where I placed the Oracle. I took some more foam pieces that I had brought with me and beefed up the wedge beneath the platter a little. I had her take both hands and hold two opposing suspension towers so that her fingers wedged the gap between the big ring supporting the platter and the stops on the tower above and below. I also made sure she was careful not to touch the cartridge -- which she already knew from cleaning my place in the past. (She really went above and beyond the call of duty... I'll have to play her some records next time)

Anyway, I had to recalibrate the tracking force because the counterweight position shifted on the arm a little, but otherwise it all worked out, and it sounds... gorgeous.

Thanks again guys.

Kyle

Kyle:

Congratulations. The MKV is a very underrated turntable. It is exellent in poviding a musial presentation, with the correct midrange tonal colors with a huge soundstage.It is nimble with excellent speed stability which benefits piano recordings.

Remove the platter and the dust cover, use a twist tie to secure the arm. Put the table on a blanket in the seat next to you with the back part of the seat reclined. Put the platter on the floor under the passenger seat wrapped as well. Finally ,wrap the dust cover in a blanket and put it in your trunk.