I would keep in mind that the "CU" mats made by M-S are expensive not merely because of their association with M-S but also because they are made of copper, which is very expensive these days. I recently had a copper platter sheet made for my Kenwood L07D by a very good machinist who is very reasonable in his charges; it ended up costing $700, more than $200 of which was the cost of the copper sheet that he started with. Well worth the expense; it replaces the stainless steel platter sheet that is standard on the L07D and seems to do a much better job of blocking EMI, even though SS is supposed to be a pretty good shielding material. I too also use an SAEC SS300, which I bought from Raul years ago. It's on my TT101 at the moment. I am not sure what it is made of and would be curious to know, but it's not pure copper.
SP10mk2: OMA Graphite plinth vs.Dobbins plinth
According to the price lists they are in one category, but anyone could comment on quality/performance? At the moment i use big Teak Wood plinth (just $750) custom made in Taiwan for my SP10mk2. Looking for upgrade in the future. I use my sp10mk2 with Reed "12 tonearm now. Doest the plinth actually makes a big difference in sound? My stand is well damped with glass, metal and sarbothane in between.
1) Oswald Mill Audio graphite slate plinth (single layer) $2750, double layer looks fantastic but cost $3500
2) Steve Dobbins famous custom plinth cost $2650 including three Stillpoints feet and automotive show quality paint in black or white. Design has changed many times, still hard to find any current plinth picture online.
I know there are Albert Porter's and Artisan Fidelity quality plinth available, but i don't like the design (i mean just how it looks) for SP10.
1) Oswald Mill Audio graphite slate plinth (single layer) $2750, double layer looks fantastic but cost $3500
2) Steve Dobbins famous custom plinth cost $2650 including three Stillpoints feet and automotive show quality paint in black or white. Design has changed many times, still hard to find any current plinth picture online.
I know there are Albert Porter's and Artisan Fidelity quality plinth available, but i don't like the design (i mean just how it looks) for SP10.
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chakster, do you, or others here, have any experience with the AT-666 mat? It was designed to add vacuum hold down but I recall reading of some using it just as a replacement mat. Raul in fact recommended it with the Technics SP series as a mat only. It weighs 1.4 kg. Also may be easier to find than the CU mats and for much less money. With some of these heavier mats I'd be concerned not only with start-up torque but possible excessive bearing wear. |
@downunder I used a common copper cleaning product and an old toothbrush because the mat is not exactly smooth but has micro grooves like vinyls I insisted a lot and performed more passes but in the end the result was excellent. After polishing, with a spray I gave a couple of light shredded transparent varnish. For me the Tenuto mat is a good product, well done, with a weight very similar to the MS CU 180 and reasonable cost. I was thinking in the future to buy one for other SP 10s I own. |
- 119 posts total