Dear Totem, I was unaware that you already own a TT101. One is enough for most of us. I bought mine in context with a QL10. Thus, I got a UA7045 plus the QL10 plinth, which probably has its own unique part number. Having already commissioned the creation of four different slate or partly slate plinths in my audio life (for Lenco, SP10 Mk2, Mk3, and Denon DP80, respectively), I was loathe to go through that process again. Plus, I was for 2-3 years uncertain that my TT101 would ever function properly, until I found JP Jones on another website. So, what I did was to re-enforce the QL10 plinth with one-inch thick pieces of aluminum that pretty much cover the available space flanking the hole in the plinth that accommodates the turntable chassis; I bolted them to the wood laminate very firmly, to create a CLD effect. Then I ditched the stock MDF armboard in favor of a machined piece of aluminum that exactly fits the rectangular space in the plinth; this alu armboard is in turn firmly connected to a second piece of aluminum running below it under the wood plinth proper. This seems to work quite well to create a very neutral chassis for minimal cost. If I knew how to post photos here, I would.
I use an SAEC SS300 mat on my TT101. Mainly because it was sitting around unused. Tonearm is FR64S with B60 base. So, perhaps my tinkering days are over. I put this all together as described. It's sounding great with an Acutex LPM320 cartridge, and I am not inclined to mess around with the package. Even though another mat might sound a little better. Even though the mating of the Acutex with the FR64S might seem to be a mismatch.
Is there any feedback here on the UA7045? Is its effective mass really so low as claimed by one source?
