Why no Subforum for Topic X ?

[bena]

Here's that pic, from the phone so a bit naff

[lexi]

There`s a bit more thought went into the base cover than on early Linn/Ariston stuff. Looks well made.

[atavid]

Nothing 'naff' about that shot Bena.Well done.Really interesting to see the little differences and similarities between the family models.
I'm fascinated to see the subchassis design sometime and also a closer view of the top spring adjusting mechanism.The top of the main bearing also looks like it is made out of..... brass perhaps?Its very shiny!
How is the top plate held down on the plinth by the way?

Looks like the turntable has some really nice little detail touches.

[bena]

Yeah, I must admit, it's the little details I like about it. It really does seem like they spent a lot of time thinking about it and implementing lots of smallish changes. Perhaps their last great deck before they went..?
I believe the main bearing housing is brass as you spotted.
I really couldn't say about how the top plate is fixed - I think it is put in from underneath and then secured all around the edge, will try and remember to have a good look next time it comes apart and get some better pics!

Nice RD11 up there by the way!

[bonzini]

This is my RD11. I think it may be the earliest type

Looks quite similar to mine other than the unauthorized arm-board mods and of course the Linn cover.

My bearing is the loose ball type.

Does your motor have the bracked round the back with the spring and plastic pressure plate on the shaft?

Have you installed a proper mat or does yours still sport the big o-rings?

I have my original G707 still on the deck but it's currently running a Linn Adikt which is not too bad sounding.

[lexi]

Aint been under that deck for a bit but will be soon as it needs a refurb. Will post pics when doing it. Needed a board to fit Michell Focus Unipivot................Linn was the only place to get one at the time........likewise the cover. I also have the Linn felt mat.

[herbie339]

To the best of my understanding, these are the distinctions between the 'senior' models in the Ariston range over two decades:

The RD11 is the model Linn admired so much (!) (in production circa 1971 to 1975)

The RD11S has a circular armboard, AC motor & different bearing ('cos Linn had 'won' the patent battle for the conical bearing) (circa 1977 to 1980)

There was a flirtation with an RD11E 3-speed belt driven DC servo model around 1976/7 (came fitted with an arm & had quite different top plate/plinth construction). I suspect the platter & bearing were similar to the RD11. [It has always reminded me, in principle, of its contemporary, the Fons...which probably reflects the common design 'ancestry' involved at this time in their respective companies.]

The RD110SL was a 'luxury' version of the RD11S. It had a Nextel covered top plate, and gilded platter edge. Some were supplied with a solid wood plinth (like that of the later RD90 Superieur) others with a moulded 'non-resonant' dense polymer plinth, which is only distinguishable from the wood version upon closer inspection.
It had an AC motor (some had a clutch, a la Thorens) & I believe the platter was more massive than the standard RD11S (circa 1980 to 1983)

The RD11 Superieur (circa 1983 to 1987) has a metal base, veneered plinth, stainless steel top plate, DC Papst motor with fine tuning pots. for 33/45 speeds. Outboard transformer. Highly modified vestigial subchassis, springs adjustable from above. Fourth spring used to stabilise rotational moments in subchassis to reduce dynamic wow. Single piece machined aluminium platter/subplatter, concave, with threaded spindle for record clamp. Has extended armboard with flange and sabin gasket (but all armboards are otherwise interchangeable)

The RD90 is essentially an RD11 Superieur with an AC motor. Ariston now held the patent rights for 'Q damping' (a proprietary anti-resonance product) which was applied to their turntables from around 1988 onwards.

The RD90 Superieur has a solid wood plinth (of the RD110) massive brass outer platter with fillets of aluminium inlaid to prevent 'ringing', stainless steel top plate, DC Papst motor with external transformer (housed in a wooded case to match the wood of the plinth), brass armboard (more massive to balance the heavier platter), suspension adjustable from above. The spindle is not threaded & there is no concavity machined into the platter (circa 1988 until Ariston's sad demise around 1992/3/4)
This was the most expensive turntable Ariston ever marketed.

I hope that this brief summary is helpful to other Ariston afficionados!

..and if anyone has a spare SME cut Ariston armboard (or could provide a template for one) then I should be eternally grateful...

Stephen.

[bena]

Stephen that is probably the most comprehensive run down of the list I have seen! Good man!

I always suspected my RD90 Superieur had a DC motor, thanks for confirming

[bubba45]

I notice that there isn`t much out there about the Ariston RD40 so I thought I`d add my four penneth.

I`ve previously owned or used only a limited number and range of TT`s having only got back into Vinyl about 4 years ago.

So far I`ve had a Planar 3 with R200; Planar 2 with R200; Planar 3 with RB300; Planar 3 with Origin Live fully modified RB300(I`ve retained this arm); a late 70`s Hitachi DD (actually quite good sound); Project 1.2 & Project Xpression MK II.

As you can see in the last 4 years I`ve fannied around with a few TT`s trying to find the right kinda sound for me with no success, so a few months ago I bought a beat up looking old RD40 from eBay and decided to fix it up as my 1st attempt at TT renovation.

It`s been helluva learning curve, but good fun. Anyway yesterday I finally finished making my 1st MDF tonearm board and fitted the OL moded RB300.

Wow!! This thing sings beautifully. It kicks the arse of any combination I`ve had before. It`s gorgeous.

All the detail, seperation and soundstaging I or anyone else could want. The highs are clear but not sparklingly bright and jarring, the mid range just sings and maybe the bass is a little loose at present but I`m waiting on some suborthane feet arriving which should sort this out. (At the moment I`ve rigged up a couple of upturned acrylic castor cups with rubber bungs for isolation feet. Looks weird but works OK.)

The only other quibble is the motor loses speed with only the slightest nudge of the platter. Any idea what could cause / fix this?

I`m so impressed with the sound I`ve just bought an RD80 from eBay so I`ll have an Ariston on both my systems. I`d have rescued the lovely looking RD90 that`s been there for months but I can`t stretch to £300 + arm right now.

Thanks for reading this rather long post, but it`s the 1st post I`ve done anywhere and I just wanted to share a little of my happiness at discovering such a great combination. Future posts will be a litle shorter.

P.S. Any suggestions for an arm for the RD80. Akito? RB300? Other? Do all Aristons sound this good? I`ve never heard an LP12 how do they compare?

[Alec124c41]

I have an RD80 with a Jelco MMT arm. Excellent!

Cheers,
Alec

[bena]

Just posted a thread with some pics of the inside of the RD90S for that wanted to see.

Ben

[lexi]

Here`s the Rd11 stripped down a bit.


As you can see Linn changed very little.

[Jimin]

Hi all, and a happy New Year to ya.

I was just wondering if anyone knew why there is no forum for Systemdek owners... most other manufacturers seem to be represented.

I know 'deks are popular, and inspire a lot of posts... maybe there's a simple reason?

Jim

[nicama]

I was just wondering if anyone knew why there is no forum for Systemdek owners... most other manufacturers seem to be represented.
Jim

I'm just another voice for a separate Systemdek forum here. Anybody can see no less threads here for deks comparing to other brands.

Warmest New Year Greetings from snowy Moscow!

Nick