DIY TT

Dear @holmz  : " a low bid for a DQX, which was declined..."

Looks like you really did not want to buy it and is at a bargain price. No, problem fine with me.

Now, I understand that your SOTA is not the Saphire model or at least you don't stated that way.

Anyway and obviously is up to you. I can't understand why you want to go for a  TT:

"" which appears like it might be able to slide out and mount into a homemade base? ""

when today ( including SOTA. ) exist several TT/tonearms that can match your today needs and future LOMC cartridge.

Exist something that do'nt fulfill your way of thinking with today great TT/tonearms that impedes you go for it?

 

In the other side is weird that you don't make any comment in the most important and critical  " partner " of any cartridge: the tonearm. You own the entry level of knife bearing SAEC tonearm and if I were you and before the TT I change that saec for a way better tonearm specially for the LOMC cartridges.

Any one of us is a unique human been with our exclusive way to " see " things and I respect your " see " of the analog world.

I think you already have all options any one can ask for and for me I think that the " ball " is in your " court ". Tha's me, maybe other audiophiles can tink that you need more information so go a head.

 

R.

@holmz The link is one that I have bookmarked in the past.

It might be off interest to anybody with an interest in maintaining a A&R Cambridge 77, and that is the reason I have it saved.

The Esco Paratrace has been known to myself for some time.

The most recent information shown in the link, also references the Esco Paratrace.

The discussion on this forum recently made it known the Paratrace, FGS 'S' and Ortofon Replicant 100 Stylus are all sharing the same form and the only differences that might distinguish one Companies to another,  'might' be if one company is selective in the tolerances for the dimension of the forms they select to be used on their models, hence Ortofons reference to a Special Polish on a Replicant 100 Stylus is seen in the tech data for many years and their ToTR Models.

The lesser models or Ortofon siblings in their Cart' ranges do not get the notification that the Stylus has received the Special Pampering Treatment. 

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=80943

My experiences with Cart's has been a continuous journey and one I am not sure if there is an end place for me.

I have enjoyed MM's, HOMC's and LOMC's and a Ceramic Cart' with an equal measure, each has supplied very pleasurable hours of enjoyment when listening to LP's.   

I do believe, I have moved on from Aluminium as a Cantilever, there is a little too much smearing detected in my system when aluminium is the material.                   A boron Cantilever will noticeably be an improvement and perception of a cleaner presentation is welcome, a beryllium cantilever is even better for this purpose and there is a added veil of smearing that is perceived as being lifted and details are much more present in a recording, even though the leaner side of the presentation might not be to all tastes. 

I have a Gold Plated Boron Cantilever in the AT 150 MLX, with OCC Copper used on the coils, the use of OCC is still quite cutting edge as a design. I am quite keen to see a PC triple C wire as a Coil Wire, it is only found in one Commercially Branded Tonearm at present, as a coil wire it might prove to be significant and much sought after. 

I also believe there is a MM Cart' with a Beryllium Cantilever buried in storage and in a usable condition.

I do like Beryllium and have it as a Cantilever in use on a rebuilt MC in use at present, when compared to the siblings from the same Brand with a Boron cantilever the Beryllium is much clearer in the micro details and backing singers at times in the recording can often share the same vocal presence as a Lead Singer, this is not happening with Boron, Aluminium or Ruby cantilevers used by the same Cart' Brand .

I would like to think I could achieve from a Service a Boron or Beryllium Cantilever with a Esco Paratrace or FGS 'S' on the A&R Cambridge when the time arises to return to a MM.

Prior to the time that MC's are seen to be an expense not offering value, at a time when the ears are not so receptive to the qualities on offer from an MC, there is an experience of a product I have been met with on one occasion, and will be experiencing once more in the not too distant future, as a German EE I know has produced a new device, it is also looking likely that if the encounter with the new device offers a very good impression, it is a product I may even end up owning. 

The German EE has produced a Phonostage that I have as a second Phon' and one that has impressed myself and a group of other individuals it has been loaned to, most recently the German EE has produced another device that has got the attention of friends and a new route is developing to be investigated.

The Phon' produced by the German EE, is one that I have a great deal of time for, and it is only referred to as a second Phon', as my go to Phon' is Bespoke Built and produced as a result of my being instrumental in making suggestions for boutique parts to be used in the signal paths, and having been part of the audience and assessor of the SQ at the various stages of the build becoming a final design.         

This Model built to the Spec of my own one, has also been selected to be demonstrated at the Munich High End Show as product belonging to a well known Brand, but has yet get to the event as COVID has been present and events cancelled.

I believe the design for the Phon' has now evolved further and the latest design is to be a Transformer Coupled version which is to be the Brands ultimate Phon' in their range that is being produced by my friend, I am not sure when the invite will be made for my receiving a demonstration of this one, or if it is now a industry secret as the Brand is involved and I am not welcome to be privvy.

My last discussion in latte 2021 on the progress was that there are bespoke Tranx's to be produced to optimise the circuit,  the comparing the different topologies will be a good day out if the invite is offered.

The Germany Based EE, has recently produced an Energizer/Equaliser to work with the DS Audio Cart's. There is a very positive initial response to this new released model, and as a fledgling product the orders are growing, a friend has now ordered a unit to be imported to the UK to be used with their DS Audio Optical Cart's.

Another friend who is an EE and is quite keen to experience the DS Audio Cart's, now they are in the possession of information I made them aware of, there are designs being put on paper to produce their own energizer.

A Bake Off is going to be arranged to compare the DS Audio, German EE's and my EE friends energizer/equaliser, using a DS-E1, DS-003 and Grandmaster Optical Cartridge.

I am keen to experience this myself, and to how learn of how the systems influence me, I am hoping the demonstrations can be carried out on Two TT's using Tonearms with detachable Head Shells that are compatible, as I have a range of Head Shells that are duplicates for such experiences, and I would like to hear a Idler Drive and DD TT during the demonstrations.       

If the use of such a system using my friends energizer design is desirable for myself to pursue, I am sure I will be offered a model in a very basic housing for a small outlay.

The sale of the additional ancillaries that are owned and used for the MC Cart's would comfortably cover the costs incurred and enable the DS -E1 Cart' to be owned at a very reasonable cost. 

I could also run the Three Cart' Types, Optical, MC and MM in parallel, using the detachable Head shell Tonearm and the German EE Phon' with the built in MC Stage.

The Bespoke Built Phon' can then be used for Special occasions as a MM Only or with a MC if used with a Head Amp my EE friend produces and has proven that it stands strongly in the company of the SUT's it has been compared to.

As said the Journey with  Cart's does not appear to have a destination, only stop off's that are used for taking in the sights.       

@Lewn I know what a Gun Metal Platter Mat is as I own a Tenuto, I also know that a Gun Metal Platter Mat can be sourced produced in various thicknesses and weights.

The Gun Metal Platter I am referring to that belongs to the owned DP 80 is a machined metal that is substantial and designed to be the Top Part of the DP 80 Platter, I would give this a status beyond that as a Platter Mat, and give it the status of being a purpose produced part of the DP 80 Two Piece Platter.

As said previously it is such a substance that it is to be assessed for use as a Platter for another owned TT.

I would not be having a typical design for a Platter Mat assessed by an Engineer to be suitable as a Platter, not unless he was in need of a expressing great volumes of laughter.        

Dear @holmz  : " a low bid for a DQX, which was declined..."

Looks like you really did not want to buy it and is at a bargain price. No, problem fine with me.

6 hours to go was a bit close. So I bid low offer.
Obviously I was tying to not be emotional and not too rushed.

 

Now, I understand that your SOTA is not the Saphire model or at least you don't stated that way.

You understand incorrectly. |t is a Saphire.

 

In the other side is weird that you don't make any comment in the most important and critical  " partner " of any cartridge: the tonearm. You own the entry level of knife bearing SAEC tonearm and if I were you and before the TT I change that saec for a way better tonearm specially for the LOMC cartridges.

Looks like I have a lot of homework to do in order to understand what makes a good arm and a bad arm.
+ I think that entry level was the 308 and the 317 was a step up?

@holmz If you are interested in a range of DD TT's from various Brands, from a Vintage Era and willing to PM these to me.

I can assist you with a search for some of the items, if this is something you would like a support with.