New Townshend Rock 7 owner


The Townshend is in transit to it's new home. I purchased this one-owner table as a package, complete w/ Funk Firm FXR ll arm, dc motor upgrade, Discovery Balanced phono cable and Brinkman PI cartridge. It come with all original boxes, manuals.

If all goes well, I should be able to get it up and running with one exception, my phono stage is not balanced. Since the original owner bought this from a respected dealer as a package, I think my best route would be to get a pair of RCA to XLR adapters in order to hear the package as close as possible as was intended.

Any thoughts on that aspect? What brand adapters would be recommended? Also, any thing I might need to know from experienced users to help with set-up? Thanks.
128x128slaw
This was my first experience with this. My understanding is the ADS will work with any AC synchronous motor. The Merlin power supply takes the AC and turns it to DC then back to AC. I believe this is how it works. So my feeling is my motor is an AC motor, with a different pulley. You could call Max and ask him in person?
Does anyone know if a Funk Firm platter Matt will work on n a Rock 7?

The Rock 7 does not your typical platter spindle length and that was my concern 

Thanks
I’ve used them together for a long while now and you’re right, the spindle sinks below the mat. I’ve been eyeing lps to get them centered with no weight and it works. It’s not ideal I suppose. I have a Delrin rod I’ve meant to thread on one end to use when I go back to that TT .

The positive effect of the spindle not protruding through the mat is you’ve essentially decoupled the lp from the bearing. That’s always a good thing.
@slaw 

Thanks!

I was worried since the spindle would not go all the way thru, with the FF Matt and record, if it would be possible and safe?

since my spindle is threaded, was thinking about getting a small stud to use in it's place (without Clamp)?

What differences did you notice with the Funk Firm platter Matt?
@sprocket75,  

The other issue you’ll encounter is the height of the damping trough. It will need to be raised some. My FFM is 5mm. I found a suitable spacer to go at the troughs’ pivot point. I found it easier to take the locking mechanism out of play as well. If you use a clamp you’ll just be re-connecting the lp to the bearing. YMMV.

Safe? Well as long as you don’t hit the record, all will be well.

With the mat in play, no part of the music suffered. I noticed the most how much cleaner/clearer/more musical the bass was. The bass is already a strong suit. A while back I tried my Stillpoints LP1 on top of the mat and that gave the music a greater foundation, increased solidity.