Audiomecca Mephisto

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.

What sonics were changed with the upgrades. I am highly interested in the upgrades and what would the ballpark cost be.

The Mephisto is lacking in pace, dynamics and that sort of thing.....Pretty doesn't tell you how drunk the players are and the mods will get you most of the way there in terms of pace and immediacy.....G&D used to charge about $650 for the whole shooting match, but stopped taking the units in for mods.....Probably worth about $800 or so today for new clock, output board and power supply revisions and suggest you talk to G&D (see above for email and phone number) to see if they have someone they would recommend.....