What Defects To Look Out For On Pt1- Collecting Tomorrow

by **abril** » 28 May 2009 08:24

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a socket with such thin walls - how about squeezing flats onto thin wall modelmaking tube?
By my reckoning you will need a max dia of 9mm and the hexagon is 1/4in AF
The top plate is easily removed,just an allen key for the switch knob and a self tapper

by **avinunca1** » 28 May 2009 18:47

I have had the top off and checked the psu plug before powering up.
45 rpm ok but speed change switch probably needs a clean to get 33rpm
working without having to fiddle with switch position.Have switch cleaner but no tube at the moment.
Spinning the platter by hand it makes a noise - not grinding in nature but must be some friction there as it stops spinning after 10 secs or so. Spoke to Arthur K. He said it sounds like it needs a new bearing. Will send it to him to check. Seller of deck considering a contribution to the £190 cost. I suggested half.

by **avinunca1** » 28 May 2009 19:21

abril wrote:I think you'll be hard pressed to find a socket with such thin walls - how about squeezing flats onto thin wall modelmaking tube?
By my reckoning you will need a max dia of 9mm and the hexagon is 1/4in AF
The top plate is easily removed,just an allen key for the switch knob and a self tapper

Will look into this Abril

by **avinunca1** » 28 May 2009 19:31

satanfriendly wrote:Nice one. You've won a worthy combination for less than I've seen the arm alone sell for. The arm is the well respected Mission 774. Abril here uses the same.

Pointers to look for:

Make sure the bearing is intact. You will soon tell as the platter will make a rough sound when it rotates. If it's knackered it can/will be a problem.

When you pick it up/transport it, remove the platter (not including any of the spindle assembly) and have the transit bolt in place. Even carrying it without doing this is enough to damage the bearing. They are fickle and they are delicate. Basically treat it with kid gloves. The platter just needs easing off slowly and carefully.

When I went to collect I had a quick listen to spinning platter then pulled
it apart not realising it would take time to put back to listen again.
Looks like the bearing is probably knackered. AK will check. If seller will
contribute to repair it is probably still a good buy though I need to check
out the 774 to see if it's added value to my purchase. The whole lot has been sitting in a loft some time and some of the fasteners are slightly rusty.Hope it's not affected the arm. Don't think there's much on the deck to be affected.
I was trying to find your posts about the problems you had with your new bearing. Why was it a different size to the original? Perhaps you could provide the URL as you must be one of the most prolific posters!
Thanks, Michael

by **satanfriendly** » 28 May 2009 22:59

you must be one of the most prolific posters!

Mmmm. Probably some element of truth in there, but it's a pity I don't actually say anything of value the majority of the time!

Try this post:

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11611

I had problems with the new bearing simply because it was taller than the previous item and the mounting holes were in a different position. Probably think not too much of an isuue, until you start drilling more holes in the aerolam sub chassis.

The whole platter assembly ended higher and the belt kept slipping off. Solution, drill a bloody great big hole in the top plate and raise the motor. It worked. Not ideal, but I'm happy.

I am not saying this might be true of all PT1's as everyone seems different anyway. Just hope your bearing is not knackered.

Oh and even after paying it took some 8-10 weeks for the thing to arrive. Got a free Achromat out of Arthur though for the inconvenience.

by **avinunca1** » 29 May 2009 00:46

Did you look into alternative remedies like getting a new ruby installed?
Did you remove the brass recepticle as other's have mentioned to get a decent look at the thing?
That was some delay from A K. I thought he would just dig one out from old stock. Does he get them manufactured?

by **satanfriendly** » 29 May 2009 01:48

i never did look in to installing a new ruby bearing, but I did try all sorts and a good look inside the housing proved there was nothing there. probably answered why in my case it sounded like a tumble dryer.

The delay was probably down to AK's sense of business. Or lack of.

Speaking to Arthur they were (at the time) not kept in stock and they produced 'by demand'. Each part of the bearing is machined to match the other parts so neither can he just supply the indiviual knackered part.

May be things have changed, but i do know other matters took him away from my issue. Then again I didn't really care either as I spend upto 2 months+ away at sea and TT's have to wait until I'm home. Like at this moment.

The cost a couple of years back was £190. Not cheap.

What makes you think your bearing is damaged? Mine was 'in your face' obvious.

by **avinunca1** » 29 May 2009 02:29

It only spins for 10 seconds after a push and there's a certain amount of noise as the platter spins.
Hard the describe the noise - like a rubbing sound. Checked to see if anything was fouling.
Really hard to check visually. I see people have managed good photos.
AK will check for free though I may pop into a local clock repairer.
I think someone said it was easy to get the brass jewell holder out. Would be easy to see.

by **avinunca1** » 29 May 2009 19:49

I went to the above mentioned clock repairer. He took one look and said there is no jewel.
Will inform the EBay seller.

by **avinunca1** » 30 May 2009 16:44

Could anyone comment on whether storage in a damp environment
would be likely to affect the Mission 774 arm that came with this turntable?
I suppose I should just try it but I can only use it on the same tt with the
shot bearing. Various screws have a thin layer of corrosion.

by **abril** » 30 May 2009 21:27

I would not expect it to have a really significant effect on it ,but nothing more than a bit of 'exercise' on the bearings would not cure.
Worth keeping hold of and using as it beats the pants off any 'hot rodded' Rega I have heard,and I've heard a few.

by **avinunca1** » 01 Jun 2009 23:10

Abril I believe you are right about the arm - please read on. It is fitted with an Ortofon VMS30MkII. I had assumed the stylus was shot but on inspection it looked okay so I put everything together except the tt bottom and top plates.
I started it up and could hear the bearing noise. I had low expectations
but when I played an album I was gobsmacked. It sounds wonderful!
It is a step up from the LPT which itself is sounding very good.
I know it has to have a new bearing but can the sound get much better this?
The deck is on the rug and I haven't even checked it for level.
I would love to know how much impact the bearing has on sound quality.
I was told by a local clock repair that there was no sign of a jewel.
I wonder if anyone has used the Denon dl160 that I am used to and
the VMS30MkII. Is the latter better or is the improvement all down to the PT1
over the LPT?

by **avinunca1** » 01 Jun 2009 23:22

Have turned the volume down low for the sake of the neighbours and
the bearing noise is very evident. Shouldn't do any harm for a while
with the synthetic oil I've put on the bearing faces.

by **satanfriendly** » 01 Jun 2009 23:44

I would love to know how much impact the bearing has on sound quality

A lot. The same said once you have it in its normal position. If you are gobsmacked now, wait until you get the bearing sorted.

I will be home in about a week and I swear I have some photo's of the deck with the new 'motor arrangement' if you need any help. Presuming you have the same problem I did of course. I will be happy to help.

You sound a bit like me here. Once I heard the PT I up and running I was on a different planet with the sonics. I waited 25 years to own one and well worth the wait.

I'm from the old school and still believe a change in the deck brings out a different aspect from a cheaper cartridge. It makes it live. I would like to think it's the PT1 over the LPT.