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Well Tempered Turntable Tweaks

Does anyone have any tweaks/modifications that can improve these turntables?

I have a great one (unprecedented) that costs almost nothing, but does take some effort. I believe it makes this one of the best turntables short of the super tables going for $10k+. Is anyone interested?
meles
jimbo3
304 posts
 
My experience has been that the WT Classic (like the Rega P3) prefers to be set on a solid, heavy surface such as granite, marble or even acrylic. Currently, mine is set directly on a 1" thick piece of acrylic which, in turn, rests on a thin piece of closed-cell foam. All of this is in a shelf in a closet which rests on the cement slab (we don't have basements in Texas!). I am considering using 3 spiked feet in place of the stock rubber-tipped feet. This seems to be the opposite approach of Meles, but I've tried setting the table on a soft surface and seem to lose the focus and dynamic "snap" that I like about this table. Anybody have some some suggestions? Is it worth trying to also set the motor on some sort of sand bag?

Also, if I try three spiked feet, should they be placed where Meles places the three footballs? Meles, I'm a little unclear about how to place three balls 180 degrees apart from each other- do you mean 120 degrees?

Thanks, everyone
Jim
gthrush1
241 posts
 
Wouldn't it be a LOT easier just to get an inexpensive wall-mount tt shelf, and mount it to a concrete outer wall, preferably in an isolated environment (like a closet)?

For approximately $100, and maybe ten minutes of your time, you've got mechanical isolation that's about as good as it gets...
meles OP
42 posts
 
Frap's above response get's to the very heart of the matter. This tweak inherently changes the character and design of the product. At the same time, we detected no dimunition in sound quality in any area with this tweak. Just a giant improvement in sound quality.
I've even had this table elevated on cinderblock towers along with the other electronics in a basement with speaker wires going up through the floor to the speakers. These extremes only slightly changed and improved the sound. Wall mount shelfs, spiked feet, etc. probably will only gain similar small improvements. The above tweak is a giant leap in comparison.
Why is this tweak so different. Again, Frap has it. This changes the design of the product. I don't think the results are surprising. Andy Payor (the Rockport designer) was a disciple of William Firebaugh. I think this accomplishes similar goals of the rockport designs, but by different means. To my ears (and I always notice first what I've lost, before what I've gained), this simply adds to the design. Sonically, it is a big addition to the design without any loss to the original traits that made this such a great table/arm combination.
NOTE: I won't be able to respond to additional posts until Monday. I will recount the improvements with my cohort in tweaking this weekend in order to describe the improvements in colorful journalistic terms. Have a great weekend everyone! May the audio force be with you!
meles OP
42 posts
 
As promised, the improvement described in colorful journalistic terms:
Bass - a little more dynamic and controlled, but no large improvements. Improves a weak area for this turntable, but bass is still a weakness.

Highs - more extended transparent highs, greater resolving power as a result. Transparency and resolving power were weaknesses for this table, now they are a strength.

Midrange/timbre/overall - a strength of this turntable already. Harmonic detail is greatly improved, and this was the table's claim to greatness. Smoother sound overall. Fantastic timbral resolution and transparency rivaling the best. [Another improvement in this same area, somewhat more suttle to be sure, was achieved with a battery powered sinewave AC generator from Tom Port of Better Records (~$500 with batter.)]

I liked this tweak so much that within months, I got Port's device and upgraded my Glider to a Benz-Micro Ruby H (a great cartridge with this setup).

I will not be following this thread anymore since there were no more responses over the weekend. If anyone else posts and wants a response, please e-mail me that you are posting. Thank you.
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