SP10 Mk II vs Mk III

Albert,
You raised the issue of the tube power supply - I think it would be not be a wise move, as low voltage - high current power supplies and tubes do not combine.
Using a battery super power supply could be very interesting, but however one should be aware of an interesting feature of this power supply: if by any reason the +5V power supply fails, the +32.5V shuts down immediately, protecting the motor coils.

Microstrip, Interesting reading.

I don't know how serious I am about building a tube supply for Technics. I'm just a fan of what tubes do, especially in power supplies.

Considering cost of the MK2 it's probably not a wise choice. If the supply cost anything near my custom tube crossover ($3500.00), for a bit more money you could do the MK3.

Guys!

I have to be honest and say that a tube-based power supply for a turntable such as a SP-10 mkII or III will not be worth the effort at all. The incoming DC power from the PSU is regulated and modulated in a complex manner that will void any "tube-iness". The SP-10 motors are precision devices that operates in a different way than amplifiers. One should not treat it electrically as a piece of audio gear but rather a precision instrument. As long as the stock PSU are operating within specs then it will be the best partner for the motor unit.

Anyway, the stock PSU is much more better designed and constructed than most other audio related PSUs. If only half the worlds audiophile amplifier PSUs were so well designed and regulated then this would have been a much more sane place. This is why I am working on a SE tube amp with a super-regulated PSU. Its not over-kill, it just makes sense.

I am frightened by the materials used on this thread. A plinth made of lead ? Please we also have to be eco/planet friendly on our hobby. One of the reasons I use VPI for turntable, it is an ecological minded industry.

Jloveys,

Making a single plinth from lead surely is not a catastrophe. The designer of such a plinth should also think of ways to seal the lead to prevent oxidization and lead poisoning. You only have to start worry about lead contamination when someone dumps a used car battery on a dumpsite or in a eco-sensitive area. There is much more worse things to worry about such as the thousands of people dying in Zimbabwe of cholera due to an incompetent government. Walker Audio turntables are made of lead but the structures are sealed with specialist materials to protect the environment and the lead itself. There is also still people on this planet living with lead fillings in their teeth!!

Please dont get me wrong, I care for the environment a great deal but I would rather channel my rage and energy towards mega-factories the churns out thousands of gallons of toxic gasses rather than get upset with a chap in the US who wants to make a lead plinth for his turntable.