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Oracle Delphi mkI tweaks

Hi. i haven't even listened to this thing yet for various reasons, one being that i dont have a phono stage. but i'm already getting the disease. can someone offer some tweaks? i have the alphason arm and a new benz glider cart. the power supply is original and the springs were just redone. i was thinking of taking it in to brooks berdan (he's in my area) and having him do some of his magic. any ideas? am i starting with a great table or only an ok table. can i do much better for the money $700? I heard randy's setup at optimal enchantment (oracle delphi mkV with graham arm and arc phono ref and almost wet myself) . i know i'm a tad far away from that set up but other than recommending a nice phono stage (i'm going with a custom made space-tech labs) can you guys offer up some advice and maybe include some prices if you know them. like should i upgrade the power supply. the internal wire for the alphason? i should also mention that it's got the goldmund relief mat upgrade and goldman clamp - although i think the original looks cooler.
thanks!
kublakhan
sedond
1,387 posts
 
this is a great 'table, imho, especially for the money. if ya awreddy got the springs upgraded to mkv specs, i'd recommend doing the counterweight & the bearing mod also - then ya got a regulation oracle mk-v - all except for the motor/power-supply. here, i'd recommend the origin-live motor & p/s - an absolute steal for the money. buy it direct from england for the best price - it should be ~$400. dunno the cost for the other oracle mods - i had mine all done-up at once when i bought my oracle, & i don't remember the total cost of the mods. i tink $400 covered the springs/bearing/counterweight, but i also tink i got a good deal cuz i bought it from a shop in quebec, where oracle is located.

the alphason arm is a good arm, but i dunno how it holds up w/the latest arms. i'd imagine a rewire wood be a cost-effective tweek to make it competitive w/today's best, if its bearing are still in good shape.

good luck, yule enjoy this 'table! :>) doug s.

kublakhan OP
717 posts
 
sedond, thanks. i had been thinking of the origin live motor. can you offer some thoughts on the sonic differences i might achieve if i use it? are we talking wow? whoo-hooo! Whoopeeee! ai chihuahua!! or what?
bless you, baby
frap
213 posts
 
Kublakhan; The original Mk-1 Oracle tt was a very musical table. It wiped out all the competition when first issued(including the Linn, but not in the bass). The only competition it had was the Goldmund Studio TT, which got more music off the LP. I still preferred the Oracle'.s tonal balance and airy 3D presentation. The Mk III, Randy will tell you, was the best balanced as the MK 4 lost all the warmth and became analytical. The new one I have not heard. There was a magic to the first one though. It made your LPs sound so musical you did'nt want to stop listening.
Early versions of Mk-1 were supplied with a 2 piece balancing counterweight that made all the springs ride up and down in perfect time. I had mine so perfect that I could bounce the entire subchassis during play( about 2 inches peak to peak!!!!) without the needle skipping. I later abandoned the Oracles for Well Tempered designs but I do miss some of the early Oracle magic. Brooks was a real good Oracle man, but I wouldn't stray too far from the original design. BTW I purchased the Goldmund mat and did NOT like the sound as much as the gummy Oracle supplied mat. If you need a new Oracle mat, E mail me and I'll send you one. I have 3 sealed ones in the closet. Good luck.......Frank
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