Technics SP10 Appreciation Thread

[kwtools 46]

Hi Owen,

One other important point I like to mention is IMO geometrically a slight tracking set up error in a normal radial arm may result some compromises in part of the tracking and usually the first and/or last track is close to acceptable. With the tracking error of a Linear Track arm is a different story altogether. It’s either gradually getting bad all the way from first track to the last or gradually getting worse from the last track.

Cheers,

Keng.

[Owen Y 679]

Thanks @kwtools - our Terminator arm base was originally developed on & intended for the TransFi Salvation TT (single hole fixing, slate base)

Yes but good point re structural stability (my son, who did the machining, is a Mech Eng & I deal with structural building work daily in my real job .. So we're on the same page here. One of the reasons too why we 'pocketed' the underside.

 

Actually IMHO, the main sonic advantage of linear trackers, is not more accurate tracking but elimination of the need for anti-skating, no bias side-forces - you can hear that in the hugely improved tracking stability, dynamic / pitch stabilty. 

 

BTW IMHO again the main drawback in the Terminator design is the short arm-wand - greater variation in stylus VTA with record thickness, is obvious & a nuisance.

 

(Sorry, don't mean to digress this thread from the orig topic - back to normal (SP-10) transmission now  )

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

 

[andyr 4,235]

8 minutes ago, Owen Y said:

 

Actually IMHO, the main sonic advantage of linear trackers, is not more accurate tracking but elimination of the need for anti-skating, no bias side-forces - you can hear that in the hugely improved tracking stability, dynamic / pitch stability. 

 

 

Absolutely! 

 

8 minutes ago, Owen Y said:

 

BTW IMHO again the main drawback in the Terminator design is the short arm-wand - greater variation in stylus VTA with record thickness, is obvious & a nuisance.

 

 

Is VTA difficult to adjust?

 

Andy

 

[kwtools 46]

3 hours ago, andyr said:

 

Absolutely! 

 

 

Is VTA difficult to adjust?

 

Andy

 

Just rotate the black knob at the top clockwise or counter and if you have the digital caliper option you'll be able an adjust the height within .01mm.

 

Keng.

[andyr 4,235]

10 minutes ago, kwtools said:

Just rotate the black knob at the top clockwise or counter and if you have the digital caliper option you'll be able an adjust the height within .01mm.

 

Keng.

 

Thank you, Keng.  That makes it easy to account for LP thickness differences! 

 

Andy

 

[Owen Y 679]

Sorry @andyr - poor choice of words.

The Terminator's Effective Length is only around 75mm, so you can appreciate that variations on record thickness will generate much more dramatic changes in VTA/SRA. Fortunately, the Terminator is designed for convenient VTA adjustment.

 

@kwtools - (back on topic ) what 'mechanical modifications' did you feel necessary to make to your SP-10?

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

Edited April 18 by Owen Y

[kwtools 46]

22 minutes ago, Owen Y said:

Sorry @andyr - poor choice of words.

The Terminator's Effective Length is only around 75mm, so you can appreciate that variations on record thickness will generate much more dramatic changes in VTA/SRA. Fortunately, the Terminator is designed for convenient VTA adjustment. 

 

@kwtools - (back on topic ) what 'mechanical modifications' did you feel necessary to make to your SP-10?

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

 

As mentioned earlier I did make up new arm wands and they are 120 mm long. The weird looking thing next is the first generation Trans-Fi knife edge arm that I bought before its call Terminator.

 

Can't remember much (for a 75yo) on the mechanical changes as it was done many years ago, did remember replacing the black plastic ring under the big thick greyish rubber ring with three shorter segments of 7000 series Alu to reduce internal motor resonance/vibration to ensure the motor runs quieter. I happen to have made a spare set just in case a new SP10 joins my collection.

Those three pieces next to the black ring were the replacements for the black ring.

Attached photos.

[Owen Y 679]

I agree, the way the SP-10's high torque  DD motor is screw-fixed down to its chassis frame, is less than structurally ideal...

(i) 4 small M4 machine screws.

(ii) A black plastic guide for the mechanical brake interfaces between these motor screws &  the SP-10 chassis frame

Your metal replacement ring pcs should be an improvement.

 

(Of course you might argue that the oroginal softer plastic material might provide some motor isolation.)

 

Terminator wand:

The longer wand will help relieve the VTA sensitivity issue with this tonearm..

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

[Owen Y 679]

PS @kwtools - I see you have/hadd a Decca cartrdige fitted to your Terminator.

I am currently using a London Decca.

Oops, off topic again, sorry

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

[kwtools 46]

27 minutes ago, Owen Y said:

PS @kwtools - I see you have/hadd a Decca cartrdige fitted to your Terminator.

I am currently using a London Decca.

Oops, off topic again, sorry

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

Yes I learn about Decca from Lenco Heaven and Decca Club forums and now a Decca lover. I have got a Decca Super Gold and 2 Decca C4E all had been rebuilt by John Wright. With the right synergy of arm and TT they perform (IME) magic and I like Decca Cartridges very much. I am not comparing as there is no end to it and I do have other good cartridges like Kansui and Ortofon A90 on my other TT.

Cheers,

Keng.

[Mr Thorens 411]

First project for this Easter complete. New heavy plinth made from 4 layers Bunnings specrite oak utility panel cut to size glued together sanded and coated with clear varnish. Sounds much better than the box plinth especially in the bass department. 

[aussievintage 1,833]

8 minutes ago, Mr Thorens said:

First project for this Easter complete. New heavy plinth made from 4 layers Bunnings specrite oak utility panel cut to size glued together sanded and coated with clear varnish. Sounds much better than the box plinth especially in the bass department. 

Nice.  I like the bare wood look about it.  Giving me the urge to build a new plinth!

[kwtools 46]

20 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

Nice.  I like the bare wood look about it.  Giving me the urge to build a new plinth!

Try it with Birch Ply

[plastercasts 64]

Here's my sp10 in goldenage plinth and 12" univector. Would like some suggestions for service in Melbourne the 45 button is a bit dicky. and was hoping to get it polished up and top plate brushed aswell as having the  start button replaced. 

Cheers

Tommy

[A9X 1,919]

On 19/04/2019 at 6:55 PM, Owen Y said:

I am currently using a London Decca.

If God had a cartridge, it would be a Decca London.

[Owen Y 679]

On 19/04/2019 at 9:25 PM, kwtools said:

Yes I learn about Decca from Lenco Heaven and Decca Club forums and now a Decca lover. I have got a Decca Super Gold and 2 Decca C4E all had been rebuilt by John Wright. With the right synergy of arm and TT they perform (IME) magic and I like Decca Cartridges very much. I am not comparing as there is no end to it and I do have other good cartridges like Kansui and Ortofon A90 on my other TT.

 

Cheers,

 

Keng.

I was previously using a Kansui too

(Apologies, off topic again.)

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/