New Maplenoll Ariadne owner needing advice

Oilmanmojo : Thanks. As you can see I broke down the 'Noll Table as far a possible.

Oilman , I suggest that our tables can be significantly improved with modest effort. For instance, take note of the air manifold supports I filled w/ Roma and the replacement rubber bushings On the flip side of the table. The bushings I removed were cracked and brittle. I have located several acceptable subitutes in Auto Parts Stores in my area, "generics" costing a few bucks each including hardware. Please note that a extremely thin coating of Roma was embeded into the holes that bolts travel thru the table to reduce "noise" . As one can view I had a significant "flip" opening where the motor had been mounted that has also been filled with Roma.

For now I am going to reuse all the tonearm parts & the VTA block. I intend to follow your suite after I get a handel on the changes made and how the table "sounds".

good strategy. Have you been able to source the airbarb? if not, let me know. The air barb is not a custom part so I know it can be located. Do you have the 40# platter or the 70# platter? I am looking to move to the heavier platter but will probably have to have it made since I have not been able to locate a replacement platter. Also, are you looking to move the motor from the platter plinth to a separate plinth like piedpiper? I like his approach but just have not been willing to invest the time yet to do that project. No doubt that it will improve the performance.

Oilmanmojo: I beleve the air barbs at the suggested site are brass not plastic. I'm hopeing to replace with plastic in light of the problems encountered with building the Air Control System.

I have a 45-50 Lb. platter that underwent considerable sanding to remove manufacturing defects. I think its less than the 50lb mark. I would suggest that you not move to a heaver platter until I have compteted the Ari . I believe that weight is only one of several issues under investigation. Keep in mind the adjustments that must be made should you move to a higher weight(taller in height) platter. I know you are a smart fellow , I only mean to keep you informed of possible mods should you change platter.

Have you viewed the 2 new pic's ? I believe they demostrate how far I have gone to remake the table.

I would highly recommend while you're at it to investigate rebuilding your existing platters (both of you) to heavier platters. Mine is 90# and was a significant improvement in speed stability and bass solidity. The two parameter that need to adjusted to suit this are the oil trough height and the arm height. The oil trough height is adjusted by procuring longer mounting bolts available from any good hardware store. The arm height is adjusted by either the VTA bracket or using longer manifold standoffs.

Oilman, removing the motor was definitely an improvement and not very difficult to accomplish if you're at all handy and have the tools. I can make a mount for you if you like. Perhaps I can work up a design that improves on mine and make three of them. I've considered sourcing a motor and housing from one of the many turntable manufacturers that sue stand-alone motors.

Q : Where do we source 90 LB. lead platters ? If my memory is correct , the last one I recall sold for $1,000 on AG several years ago. They are rare byrds ...