Nottingham resonance control

Sorry, I saw Audio Selections cones on Music Direct site.

Inna, I upgraded my Nottingham to getting out of vinyl. Not really an upgrade but I wanted to simplify my system, de-clutter the house. I had always wondered what I would do if someone offered to buy all my albums and analog rig on the spot for a good price and about a year and a half ago that happened. Sold all the albums, TT, phono amp, record racks, ultrasonic cleaner, everything. I replaced it all with a MSB Analog DAC and Universal Media Transport Plus CD transport. Kept the same speakers and amps. Now, if I was going for the best sound, I would go vinyl. I just wanted to be more mobile and downsize. With the Nottingham TT the biggest benefits were in order of importance: 1. Ultrasonic cleaner, I loved this, great big benefit. 2. Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge. 3. but a close to the #2, Nottingham Heavy Kit. Great big benefit in improving slam, detail and clarity, 4. SRA base 5. Nottingham Wave mechanic power supply. I also tried the Walker and they were equally beneficial. The Spacedeck is a great TT. Oh, and I don't regret my move to pure digital but I can fully understand the draw to vinyl.

Davt, you treated your Spacedeck very well, did everything for it to sing.
I think, my first upgrade will be either Nottingham Wave Mechanic or better interconnect from the phono stage, depending on opportunity. I currently use Purist Audio Maximus but would like to jump to either Proteus or Dominus. Then maybe SRA base or Heavy Kit, though I read that not everyone liked the Kit - they felt that something was lost while other things were gained.
I will never get rid of the analog, temporarily maybe if I have to, but I'll be back.

I have the older Mentor TT. It came with the heavy kit and Wave Mechanic.

I agree with Davt. In order of improvements:
1) Upgrade from VPI to ultrasonic record cleaning (at 80KHz)
2) Upgrade from Mentor tonearm to Trans-Fi air bearing arm
3) Upgrade from Tracer IV to higher end Koetsu
4) Upgrade plinth
5) Upgrade to new motor and latest (matched) WM
6) Upgrade power

I think you could get the most bang for the buck by putting some thick-ish plywood between your maple block and the TT. Preferably, Baltic Birch or even Panzerholz or slate, but ordinary 1" ply should prove the concept. Then replace the rubber feet on the turntable with the cheapest metal cones you can find, along with metal discs to prevent the spikes from cutting into the wood.

Those were among the most important elements of my plinth change, and they are all good physics. BUT, you have to listen to the system as a whole, and the metal cones might improve the resolution too much. Use your ears and your good taste will guide you.

Terry9, thank you. Yes, I have doubts about metal cones, they might give me ringing.
Why Baltic Birch and not, say, Brazilian Rosewood or Cocobolo? Or Ebony? In any case, it's an interesting idea.
I am not going to replace arm or cartridge soon - I prefer to jump when I upgrade not to move in small steps. Tweaking and tuning the system is another matter. Ultrasonic record cleaner costs thousands. I might have records cleaned by ultrasonic machine by someone else, but I will not take a risk by mailing my most valuable records, but I can send others. I don't have many records.
I just had an opportunity to upgrade the interconnect from phono, from Maximus to Colossus, but I didn't receive it yet. I think, I will try Walker discs too. I recently got just one 1/2" disc, and the biggest difference for the better it made was by sitting on top of my Nakamichi deck! The deck in turn sits on Boston Audio tuneblocks. So, maybe I should get two more and put them on the maple block - one near tonearm and another near motor. The discs are not expensive and can easily be returned.