The Walker is definitely designed to supply AC TT motors. However, if you already own it, and if the Basis motor is DC, I think you still can benefit from it if you just set it to put out the full 120VAC. It normally controls speed by reducing AC voltage going to an AC motor, but it offers the additional advantages of regenerating AC using the wall socket. This makes the AC driving the motor cleaner, and it also isolates the TT motor from the rest of your audio gear, so EMI does not go back to your phono stage, for example. By all means, do check with Basis.
Stepping Up From A Graham 2.2 On A Basis Audio Debut Deck
Hello,
I’ve a Basis Audio Debut Gold Standard with the acrylic armboard, and a Graham 2.2 installed.
I’d like to try a new arm in the $5K price range but I need something that’s drop-in compatible with the Graham, as I can’t/won’t drill any holes in the armboard.
I thought there’d be a database of compatible arms, perhaps on Vinyl Engine, but I couldn’t find anything. I’d like to use an Origin Live, but I haven’t heard back from Mark and David yet as I think they’re busy at the UK show. Looking at one of their manuals it doesn’t look like it’s going to be feasible without some kind of bracket.
I’m not married to the OL idea, I just want a step up from the 2.2 without a lot of hassle, and I’ve used their Illustrious arm on a previous deck and liked it a lot.
Has anyone gone down this path? What arm did you use? Was it a worthwhile improvement? Was it easy to install and set up?
(I do have the Dr. Feickert jig).
Thanks in advance for any tips.
Rooze
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@rooze , congrats on your Phantom. I skipped the original version, holding onto my 2.2 mainly because its lighter weight was better-suited to the suspension of my turntable at the time, a Michell Orbe SE. When I changed to a non-suspended deck, the Phantom II was out. I went to that and it was a clear improvement over the 2.2. I have little doubt that the first version was, too, given reports at the time. Enjoy! |
@lewm , I have a friend with an early Debut in black. Beautiful table. Not only does it have a straight AC synchronous motor but you have to swap the motor pulley to change speeds. Basis wants to charge him some ridiculous amount of money for a controller. He also has an early Graham and a very old cartridge. |
Just closing the loop here with some feedback on the Phantom B44. It was a very worthwhile investment and a good improvement over the 2.2. I hear more air and detail and more low end extension and solidity. The soundstage is deeper and wider, though most notably the depth has improved significantly with improved layering. So I’m very pleased with it. The Walker motor controller arrived a day after the tonearm and I don’t have much time with it, but it does function perfectly with my older Basis Debut Gold Standard vacuum. My first impression is that it adds more flesh and body to instruments and vocalists and perhaps provides a little more detail from lower notes. But the difference is more subtle than with the tonearm and I still have to spend more time with it before fully understanding what it does.
Thanks for people’s input. |
- 19 posts total