Technics: PLINTHS: Dobbins, Porter, or Thompson?

i've had three plinths from Steve Dobbins; a Technics SP-10 Mk2 like you are asking about, a Garrard 301, and a Technics SP-10 Mk3. i sold my Mk2 plinth when i got my Mk3.

now i've traded my Mk3 for Steve's new tt, 'The Beat'.

Steve does more than build plinths, he also does a good deal of updating to the tt's themselves and power supplies as needed.

i've heard Albert's plinth in his room (it was a Mk3) and Jonathan's tt's at RMAF, although not specifically the Mk2 plinth.

you cannot go wrong with any of these guys.

there are things i like about Steve's plinths which stand out to me (not that any of the other's might not excell in these areas too). Steve's plinths i think are very energetic sounding and tonally neutral. they don't seem to have a sonic signature of their own. they are engineered as a constrained layered design so are predictably neutral, natural, and alive sounding. this is very important to me. i have my Rockport sitting next to these tt's for a reference as well as my big RTR tape machines, and all of Steve's plinths as well as 'The Beat' can hold their own and then some.

i surely recommend Steve's work and both Albert and Jonathan's to the degree i've heard them.. i don't know anything about Thorton (Thompson).

I have the SP-10 Black Emerald mahogany plinth built by Chris Thornton (featured on his web site) and I can assure you that anything you buy from Chris will be of the highest quality. It sounds absolutely wonderful and is built to the same meticulous standards as the plinths of other gentlemen mentioned on this blog. Chris carefully checks out each turntable before he begins his restoration and update mods and will not accept anything that is not up to his high standards to begin with. You can read more about Chris's services at www.artisanfidelity.com. If you buy from Chris, you will not be unhappy!

My impressions mirror those of mikelavigne above. I have Steve's plinths for a 301 and a Technics PL-10 Mk III. The materials did wonders for the sound of my 301. My Technics came with Steve's plinth and it sounds great. Steve is a car guy and his automotive finishes are stunning. I like Steve's plinths more than the OMA slate plinths by a wide margin but have no experience with the other 2 plinths in this comparison.

Dear Cdk84: Please read this post on other thread that is related with what you ask:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1283151240&openflup&47&4#47

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Hi SLK,

I would be interested to know how you would compare your 301 to the SP-10Mk3 in your system esepcially since you use Steve Dobbins plinth for both TT's. Which do you prefer, the idler 301 or the direct-drive SP-10 and why.

Thks.