Oracle Alexandria - time for new springs?

The bottom of the platter is just under a 1/4" from the plinth. The manual specified 3/8" but that seemed really high when I set it up that way and caused all three spring covers not to fit. I lowered it to the present distance and followed everything else as described in the manual but still have problems with two of the spring covers. It is very puzzling. What is the distance between the plinth and the platter on your set up?

My platter is also 1/4" above the plinth. I've no problem fitting the caps over the springs. Perhaps you do need new springs, however before your go that route you might try lowering the platter to 1/8th inch. So long as the platter is operating perfectly level and that space is even around the platter I don't think this height issue is that critical. Worth a try.

Regarding the tone arm. My Oracle came with the Oracle arm - nice arm but a PITA - I changed it to a MMT. I did not change the spring(s) and it has worked fine, however I've always felt, subjectively, that the spring on the arm side could have been a bit stiffer. When you press down on the platter and release it, it doesn't move up and down in a perfectly vertical motion. But in practice it didn't really make a sonic difference, to my ear anyway.

Wish I could have been of more help........

Newbee,

I appreciate your input. It's near impossible to find anecdotal information regarding these tables. The platter was level before I adjusted the springs and after. However, it has never bobbed evenly as you describe. I believe the literature states that it should bob evenly 4 times and then stop. I have not been able to achieve anything close to that experience, but the sonics sound fine to me nonetheless. Sounds like the same thing you're experiencing, except that my table looks like crap with the spring covers sitting unevenly. I guess I'll try setting it up from scratch again and see what happens at 1/8".

Thanks again,

Rickk, are you sure that you have the proper springs in the proper location? They are colour coded to distinguish which go where, since the load will be different in each location.
The strongest spring is Green and should be on the right suspension module, a Yellow spring is slighly weaker and should be installed on the left rear and the remaining Grey spring on the left front.
I just finished doing the recalibration of my Alex III with Rega 300 and had no problems with obtaining the 11/32 inch clearance. The springs (table) are about 14 years old.
Salut, Bob P.

Hi Bob,

I made sure the springs were in the proper order of strength when I set it up. However, I recall that one of the springs was color-coded white. I am going off memory, but I think I have a white spring instead of the yellow. Possibly that is the problem?

Thanks,