maplenoll apollo---any agon experience

FYI: I came across a early review of maplenoll products. Without mentioning the Apollo directly, the reviewer cautioned that tangental tracking arms shorter than 7" have engineering issues particularity tracking less-than-perfect LPs. Another article by a audio designer did mention vaccum-holds on air bearing tables. The AD strongly cautioned the additional vaccum noise coupled with residue from the quite pump does/could dirty-up the highs and lows of the AB table. I suppose these are other considerations when buying a Apollo cold.

O: Inlight of the facts pointed out by piedpiper ("nonexistant" tonearm & critical VTA issues) perhaps you should ask the seller the condition of the rubber vaccum platter hold-down. From what I understand , that vaccum hold-down is important since small warp-type issues with LPs may have an affect on playback.

FYI: I can verify the following: Bob Dilger had been speaking of the development of the Apollo as early as 1989. The first first offical news release was in 1991. He remarked at the time " it (Apollo) is the culmination of more than 10 years engineering and field experience incorperating Maplenoll's air bearing principals " .

Following L.Walker's 7-12 month association with Maplenoll in early 1990's , The Apollo's price jumped to 6-7K and later to maybe as high as $12,000+ but I haven't viewed any reciepts with that retail price tag . Early Apollo's were to retail between 3-4K.

Its my understanding the air bearings are identical to the entire maplenoll line but I have not examined them. The exceptions to the existing Maplenoll line are in decending order: The plinth , 110 LB. of internally damped plinth constructed of high density acrylic with a 50 LB.lead plate laminate; 70 LB.(stock) record platter w/ record vaccum hold-down; air bearing linear tracking tonearm mounted on an independent, isolated sub-chassis constructed of 3/4" lead plate; a headshell , 2" tonearm and counterweight machined out of a single metal rod and VTA on the fly .

The Apollo was powered by a Maplenoll 40 PSI pump. Other platters were available as option for the early Apollo machines. Changing the height of the platter may mean upgrades to arm manifolds: I do not currenty know of a source for apollo parts. Wish you all the Best.

yep! sounds like you have dealt with him before

Must be the same dealer that posted a thread over in Vinyl Asylum as a means of advertising it.

still trying to get the pics of the table and negotiate price. I am very excited about the possibility and you know i will have to show off if I get it. The seller is in illinois and having problems sending me some pics. I will have to make the trip up there because maplenoll tables are hard to ship. I do not want to have to rebuild like i did with my current table. By the way, been busy at work so have not finished my design for the airbearing arm. Still planning on getting it going but just moving slow as usual.

O: Have you made any decision on the Apollo? Should you buy it how about posting a few pics? All the Best.

Great find! You will need to use something like a ring for edge warped records if there are problems with the seal as the virtually nonexistent tonearm will change VTA much more dramatically than with a normal length arm.

crem1
Is correct the seal is no longer available, having owned
most of the maplenoll tables the Apollo is the best. The one problem even if you create your own new seal is the noise of the vacuum leaking around the spindle. I have
since machined a different spindle to run in an oil bath
bushing and no longer use the seal and the vacuum hold down
option (my seal is also not usable). If a record is really warped, use a hold down ring and center weight same affect no noise. Excellent on the fly VTA adjustment with the Apollo and this table is heavy over 200 pounds as you know.

O : I have no personal experience with the Apollo.

During my search(s) for maplenoll information I did learn of the following ... Check to make certian the rubber seal used to maintain the vaccum between the platter and the record is not worn , torn or in need of service.That seal was originally sourced from Micro Seiki is no longer available. Therefore, should that seal be torn or otherwise fails, no exact replacement part is available.

I understand that it is possible to construct a replacement seal from a SOTA seal product . Should need further info please email. Oilmanmojo, the Appolo is quite a find.