Building high-end 'tables cheap at Home Despot II

John, If your explanation of the cause of the sonic difference between Garrard and Lenco is correct, then then replacing the stock Garrard platter with a heavier one that does have its additional weight concentrated on its periphery (a la the Shindo platter) should go a long way to help the Garrard. Have you had the opportunity to audition such a table (in a Giant CLD plinth, of course)?

Hxt1, Thanks for your response. Do you mean to say that you are using a 1" thick piece of slate as a top plate on a birch ply/MDF plinth? This sounds like an interesting idea. I read your post on L-L forum, but was hoping for a photo. Yes, the UK guy who makes slate plinths was also very combative with the US guy who makes actually a much more elaborate product, based on the supposed inferiority of Pennsylvania slate (which I have on my own roof that is now 37 years old) to Welsh slate. Needless to say, the issue was not resolved.

Lewm, there is a photo of the Lenco on the LL site, under "Slatedeck' in works in progress section. Yes this whole Slate bs is just that IMHO... BS! I actually asked the Welsh Slate guy to price a slab of Welsh slate for me, so I could have it Machined here, and do an A-B with my 'cooking' slate plinth, and see what all of the fuss was about..... I haven't heard back from him (big shock).
John, the 'filter' syndrome you speak of has been given a lot of thought, I took off the slate today, and did an a-b with the mdf.... the slate has really tightened things up... yes, there is much more detail, and I think the surface noise is only more apparent because I am now afforded a deeper look into the recording itself... bright recordings do sound bright... but the great recordings really are now at a whole new level! I read your post re: the ceramic bearing with great relish, and I do think it is necessary to revisit one's first impressions with a clear and unbiased mind. I really do feel that this Non-Welsh slate has made a big difference in my Lenco's performance! I am going to now bond the slate to the plinth, and there it will stay!
Btw, it looks GREAT!!

Hxt1 and Lew,
It would be great to see your work/systems on this site. I hope you will post some photos in the future.
Thanks, Oregon

John, the slate is said to have natural CLD like properties, as layers of different sediment make up the slate itself, each layer itself differing slightly in composition, density, etc. Apparently slate has excellent damping properties because of it's makeup, and will not 'ring' like a crystalline rock will (granite, marble, etc) I just look at slate as a CLD on top of the CLD so to speak! And I can confirm that no bass is being drained whatsoever as I listen now to the 200g pressing of Pictures at an Exhibition"..... Wow!
I will once again dismantle this little beastie, and clean, lube, reassemble the bearing, motor and idler wheel, before locking it all down for another week of listening..

Hello Hxt1;

What are the dimensions & thickness of your slate deck? I was wondering why you decided to add the slate top to a ply/mdf plinth ( what is the mdf/plywood plinth dimensions) versus creating an all slate plinth or a two tier slate plinth with slate blocks sandwiched in between?

Lewm--Where did you find the information that additional weight is concentrated on the periphery (a la the Shindo platter) Do you know the ratio of weight distribution on the Shindo platter. It could be possible to take a regular Garrard platter and add lead shims to the outer edges.

Thanks
Opus