What turntables do you use? Pictures would be nice as well :-)

[mxk116]

View attachment 159305
View attachment 159306

Nice work recessing the Wellfloat into the base. Is that panzerholz or a similar laminate wood product?

 

[Juiced]

Nice work recessing the Wellfloat into the base. Is that panzerholz or a similar laminate wood product?

thank you,

just a regular birch plywood

 

[Ben Glasgow]

New to the forum and my first post , it's been very useful to me during researching purchases etc.

I have been into music all my life and started the serious stuff around 25 years ago-went into digital for decades but last 4 years have went into vinyl.

I am now building don't laugh my final system and this turntable is now been with me for around a week currently running in the cartridge but before the Jubilee I had my Analog Relax EX-300 in it and despite more detail on the Jubilee MC I sort of preferred the EX-300 maybe it was just that instant impact and maybe the Jubilee MC needs more time-only around 10 hours on it but using their break in LP.

But yes sounds wonderful. And yes further isolation is planned , going initially with the Ikea bamboo block that the reviewer in Stereophile used when he raved about this turntable/cartridge combo.

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With improved isolation

 

[Big Dog RJ]

With improved isolation
View attachment 159331

Nice one mate!
Speaking of Spec, I had that aluminum disc mat as well. Initially worked wonders but after a few spins, I had a major static issue! Went on several forums but no one could help. Each time I lifted the LP off the disc mat, it caused so much static, the preamp would shut off. Then switch the preamp back on, and a massive kaboom! Due to the power amps/ monoblocks being on... caused so many issues. I tried all sorts of gizmos, even had my own pants insulated... nothing worked. It turned out that I was the main carrier of static, so each time I touched anything to do with the TT rig, that discharged straight onto the Spec mat and down the chain. I just gave away the Spec mat to another chap, uses it on his Linn LP12, no issues. I managed to get a nice German made disc mat, composite of carbon alloys & rubber, no issues with static at all, plus equally sounds tops!

Those Spec Japanese chaps really make some fine gear. I've audition that Spec TT, it's fabulous! never seen or heard a TT rig that's String Driven... wonderful!
Cheers, RJ
Oh! and do enjoy those finest tunes!
Woof!

 

[MarkusBarkus]

..:it's obvious you are a positively fully-charged fella. Even your gear "knows" that, RJ.

 

[Ben Glasgow]

Nice one mate!
Speaking of Spec, I had that aluminum disc mat as well. Initially worked wonders but after a few spins, I had a major static issue! Went on several forums but no one could help. Each time I lifted the LP off the disc mat, it caused so much static, the preamp would shut off. Then switch the preamp back on, and a massive kaboom! Due to the power amps/ monoblocks being on... caused so many issues. I tried all sorts of gizmos, even had my own pants insulated... nothing worked. It turned out that I was the main carrier of static, so each time I touched anything to do with the TT rig, that discharged straight onto the Spec mat and down the chain. I just gave away the Spec mat to another chap, uses it on his Linn LP12, no issues. I managed to get a nice German made disc mat, composite of carbon alloys & rubber, no issues with static at all, plus equally sounds tops!

Those Spec Japanese chaps really make some fine gear. I've audition that Spec TT, it's fabulous! never seen or heard a TT rig that's String Driven... wonderful!
Cheers, RJ
Oh! and do enjoy those finest tunes!
Woof!

I think the Spec makes a difference but I wouldn't be as upbeat about it as some however luckily I have no issues at all with static with it, indeed with my new turntable and set up I don't get the odd bit of static I used to get before.
Happy days.
Tonearm cable report/review is ready and I will get it up in the next 24 hours.

 

[McDee275]

I use the so called "DädMät" from Black Forest Audio/Germany, seen on #1.975.

DÄD!MÄT Plattentellermatte

Black Forest Audio bringt neue Plattentellermatte - DÄD!MÄT: Der Name ist Funktion!

www.blackforestaudio.de

Highly recommended,

 

[Rensselaer]

Is there anyone else on this forum who uses a Classic Turntable Company Reference (modified Garrard)? If so, your thoughts?

 

[Ben Glasgow]

I use the so called "DädMät" from Black Forest Audio/Germany, seen on #1.975.

DÄD!MÄT Plattentellermatte

Black Forest Audio bringt neue Plattentellermatte - DÄD!MÄT: Der Name ist Funktion!

www.blackforestaudio.de

Highly recommended,

Ok found one in the UK -taken a chance on it-thanks

 

[rangda]

Just took delivery of a Döhmann Helix 2

 

[AL1973]

With improved isolation
View attachment 159331

Ikea hackers!

 

[ALUCARD19]

 

[ALUCARD19]

 

[Serenade]

Just took delivery of a Döhmann Helix 2

Congratulations on your new toy. Was it easy to setup? I am waiting for my Helix 2 Mk 3 to arrive.

 

[rangda]

Congratulations on your new toy. Was it easy to setup? I am waiting for my Helix 2 Mk 3 to arrive.

Normally a dealer will do the setup for you so you won't have to worry about it. In my case I did do my own setup, I detailed the process in a post over at the Hoffman forums. IMO it was easier to setup than the venerable VPI TNT that it replaced. I encourage you to read that if you are interested in the process.

If you do end up doing it yourself, the one thing you should be aware of are the locking bolts for the Minus-K. There are 4 locking bolts in the platter area that need to be removed, you need to press down on the top plate to keep the Minus-K from moving and unscrew them evenly. Unscrew one turn, do one turn on the next screw and so on. And once the locking bolts are ok it is not safe to pick up the table; you need to lock the Minus-K again to move it around. You can, however, just slide it around a bit with the Minus-K unlocked, if you need to do something like get a bit more room at the back to dress the tonearm cable.

Getting the clamp on/off the record will probably feel weird for a while unless you are used to using something like a Linn.

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Just took delivery of a Döhmann Helix 2

The Helix line of TT's are superb! Absolutely top notch stuff, and of course from the land Down Unda. M Dohmann doesn't compromise on anything at this level. Gets even better depending on the choice of arm and accessories. Fabulous gear. Does cost a pretty penny though.

Enjoy those finest tunes!
WOOF! RJ

 

[rangda]

Does cost a pretty penny though.

To be honest the price was a bit out of reach, especially with the recent change in US distributors and a big tariff based price increase. It took some special circumstances and accommodations from the dealer to make this possible (which is why I ended up doing my own setup which never happens for this level of gear normally). I don't mind though, I'm a special sort of masochist that enjoys doing my own turntable setup.

 

[Serenade]

Normally a dealer will do the setup for you so you won't have to worry about it. In my case I did do my own setup, I detailed the process in a post over at the Hoffman forums. IMO it was easier to setup than the venerable VPI TNT that it replaced. I encourage you to read that if you are interested in the process.

If you do end up doing it yourself, the one thing you should be aware of are the locking bolts for the Minus-K. There are 4 locking bolts in the platter area that need to be removed, you need to press down on the top plate to keep the Minus-K from moving and unscrew them evenly. Unscrew one turn, do one turn on the next screw and so on. And once the locking bolts are ok it is not safe to pick up the table; you need to lock the Minus-K again to move it around. You can, however, just slide it around a bit with the Minus-K unlocked, if you need to do something like get a bit more room at the back to dress the tonearm cable.

Getting the clamp on/off the record will probably feel weird for a while unless you are used to using something like a Linn.

rangda, thank you so much for the installation tips. It will be very useful to me. My local dealer is new to Dohmann and turntables, while I am an old hand at installing my own tables. Very likely, I will be doing my own installation of the Helix 2 on a Mana Reference TT stand. I am in a similar situation as you. The Helix 2 is replacing a 21 year old SME30 that has earned its retirement.

We will differ in arm and cartridge to match the Helix 2. Mine will use a Kuzma 4Point9, with a DS Audio W3 cartridge.

 

[Serenade]

To be honest the price was a bit out of reach, especially with the recent change in US distributors and a big tariff based price increase. It took some special circumstances and accommodations from the dealer to make this possible (which is why I ended up doing my own setup which never happens for this level of gear normally). I don't mind though, I'm a special sort of masochist that enjoys doing my own turntable setup.

I am an Engineer/Technician in my past life so I enjoy fiddling with tiny and precise mechanical bits. I did my own installation of SME30 without dealer intervention, and the various arms/cartridges that went on it. Ditto for the Nottingham Hyperspace that occupied the space before the SME30.

 

[rangda]

rangda, thank you so much for the installation tips. It will be very useful to me. My local dealer is new to Dohmann and turntables, while I am an old hand at installing my own tables. Very likely, I will be doing my own installation of the Helix 2 on a Mana Reference TT stand. I am in a similar situation as you. The Helix 2 is replacing a 21 year old SME30 that has earned its retirement.

We will differ in arm and cartridge to match the Helix 2. Mine will use a Kuzma 4Point9, with a DS Audio W3 cartridge.

The manual is very clear on setup, you should have an easy time of it. They don't spell exactly how to remove the bolts but I did that here so you should be good. And my Hoffman post should smooth over any other issues you may have.

The manual talks about lubricating the bearing, mine was already lubricated when it arrived. It did look like it could use a bit more so I added a touch of grease. And I did re-apply mineral oil to the sides of the bearing before putting the platter on. Mark recommends recommends lubing the bearing once a year. Note that the tolerances between the bearing and platter are extremely tight. My platter wouldn't go on and I thought there might have been machining flaw. But everything is so tight if you are just a hair off perfectly perpendicular the bearing won't go in.

The table with come with 2 3d printed washers, one black and one red. The red is thicker. They are to use when clamping records with extreme warps and not be used normally. This isn't covered in the manual at all.