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SP10mk2: OMA Graphite plinth vs.Dobbins plinth

According to the price lists they are in one category, but anyone could comment on quality/performance? At the moment i use big Teak Wood plinth (just $750) custom made in Taiwan for my SP10mk2. Looking for upgrade in the future. I use my sp10mk2 with Reed "12 tonearm now. Doest the plinth actually makes a big difference in sound? My stand is well damped with glass, metal and sarbothane in between.

1) Oswald Mill Audio graphite slate plinth (single layer) $2750, double layer looks fantastic but cost $3500

2) Steve Dobbins famous custom plinth cost $2650 including three Stillpoints feet and automotive show quality paint in black or white. Design has changed many times, still hard to find any current plinth picture online.

I know there are Albert Porter's and Artisan Fidelity quality plinth available, but i don't like the design (i mean just how it looks) for SP10.
128x128chakster
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@nandric 

Chakster, I own Technics SL 1000,mk 2 with Obsidan plinth

but removed the mediocre original feet and put AT pneumatic

 636 footers instead. The plinth is actually a frame (not guitar

box) like Lew's slate plints. The armbase is according to me

also suitable for 12'' tonearms. I use (10'') FR-64 s and there

is sufficient room on the armbase for an larger arm. Waht kind of

 ''Obsidian plinth'' are you referring to?


SH-10b3 - this is what you got? I'm talking about Sh-10b3 as the most common obsidian, i know there are few more variations, but they are very rare. Even the SH-10b3 is about $800+ 

Technics did something wrong with that SH-10b3 if it's not the best match sonically with their SP-10mk2 turntable? Why do we need heavier and bigger custom plywood plinth, is that an upgrade over the stock SH-10B3?  


lewm
13,110 posts
 
Chakster, We don't "need" anything, but it is in the nature of audiophiles to believe that we can improve upon what the factory (any factory) made for us by spending money on a fancy substitute or building our own.  This is not always borne out in actual practice, of course, but we audiophiles have the additional privilege of relying upon only our own opinion to determine success or failure. 

Also, for every SP10 Mk2 or Mk3, there is not necessarily a factory-made obsidian plinth to be found at a reasonable price, if there is one to be found at all.  So there is no shortage of aftermarket entrepreneurs to satisfy the need thus generated.  I, for one, am very happy with the 80-lb slate and wood plinth I had made for my Mk3, and I spent less than $700 to get there.  In my dreams, I would have wanted to remove the Mk3 motor assembly from its chassis and mounted that into the slate directly.  But it's too late for that now.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

Dear chakster, To me it make no sense to pay more for a

plinth then the TT. For the SP-10,mk 2 considering its weight

the mentioned plinths are obviously ''overkill''. My first SP 10

plinth was SH-10 B4. I assume that ''10'' means 10 '' tonearm.

I have no idea about other plinth models.

I bought the SL 1000,  mk2 complete but changed the footers.

The included feet  were the same as in the SH-10 B4 . So those

''negative reviews '' are written because of those worthless

feet. I was lucky to find those AT 636 pneumatic footers but those

are not easy to get. However Raul owns the bigger kind and my

own the 636. Asking cost nothing.

BTW your new metal racks are also part of your plinth. Deed

you use sand or lead plummet to fill in the tubes? I used the

so called ''quartz sand'' for my ''Copulare'' rack. I hope this

kind of sand is available in your ''region''. Much cheaper than

lead.

dover
2,247 posts
 
The plinths for the SP10 series are -

SH10-B4 - for SP10mkii, el cheapo box, NOT obsidian, 5kg
SH10-B3 - for SP10mkii & SP20 obsidian /wood base, 12kg
SH10-B5 - for SP10mkiii ( round mounting hole), obsidian, 19kg
SH10-B7 - for SP10mkii & iii ,square cutout, obsidian, 17kg

They are fragile/brittle and many have cracks/chips.

  

chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@dover

They are fragile/brittle and many have cracks/chips.

But what about sonic quality of the b3 and higher models ?



@nandric

So those ’’negative reviews ’’ are written because of those worthless

feet. I was lucky to find those AT 636 pneumatic footers but those

are not easy to get. However Raul owns the bigger kind and my

own the 636....

BTW your new metal racks are also part of your plinth. Deed

you use sand or lead plummet to fill in the tubes? I used the

so called ’’quartz sand’’ for my ’’Copulare’’ rack.


Yes, my racks designed to be filled with sand. My ex AT-636 went to Australia for another SL 1000 mk2 owner. But i have 8 x AT-616 pneumatic footers designed for much higher weight, this model is adjustable. Maybe i will put them under Luxmans to try. TT-101 also waiting for some sort of plinth. I agree that the plinth should not cost more than a turntable (at least for me). 
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