Audiomecca Mephisto

Rcrump, what clock and output modifications are you referring to? The clock would be easy to modify, I realize, but I did not think it was a problem when I heard this unit. What output did you modify (there are three to choose from)? What were the sonic gains?

A friend of mine had a Mephisto. I had been doing some playing around inside a G&D Transforms Ultimate transport I was using at the time and I ordered enough parts to do the power supplies in both with Harris Hyperfast diodes and Muse caps and the Mephisto came to life.....My friend was so encouraged that he sent the unit to G&D Transforms who put in the new clock and output board along with their own pore supplies to run these boards with good results. G&D stopped taking in mods, but still sells clocks and output boards. The grounding in the Mephisto is all series rather than star, but it is such a beautiful unit it was worth the work and time involved to make it work a bit better. My friend sold his Mephisto and purchased a G&D UTP-1 transport, cheap upstart that was a touch better than the modified Mephisto.....If this interests you call G&D at 602-650-1155 or email at Transforms@aol.com as the Mephisto is probably the prettiest unit out there and it can be made to perform with the best with a little time and effort......

Thank you very much, rcrump for the useful post. I will definitely contact G&D to get the clocks and output boards. I agree that the cosmetics of Mephisto II are beautiful... only if they could get the electronics up to the level of the design. Pierre Lurne worked for Goldmund as well, whose units are visually stunning.

Lurne is a character as a number of years ago I borrowed one his record clamps from a friend and found I just had to have one to use with my Rockport Capella table....To make a long story short there was no importer and I had to deal direct and spoke to his wife several times in the few months it took to get several clamps for the Rockport turntable owners here in Houston....Some of the parts for the clamps came from Spain and on and on, but they finally did arrive.....The point is they are artisans rather than manufacturers.....

Lurne's big passion is rose gardening. (I have often wondered if the name of ML's "Red Rose Music" was an unconscious transfer). Anyway, Lurne refuses to work on audio projects on the weekend so as to devote himself to his garden. It raises a question: Can a flower inspire an audio design? Although his designs are clearly the work of a European aesthete, Lurne in person seems rather down to earth and modest. He did extensive research and development on CD transport mechanisms before redesigning the Mephisto, and he gives much of the credit for the outcome to his partners. I am glad that you liked the record clamp, Rcrump: it trully is worth having for the Rockport. Also, thanks for the e-mail.