SP10mk3 makeover ideas

leyenda

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2011
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Seeking ideas to tweak the SP10mk3 further. Right now it is in stock SH10B5 plinth, but I replaced the stock feet with hardwood (mpingo) and replaced the stock rubber mat with AT mat. I also have the brake mechanism removed and replaced the MN6042 chip with the new one from FidelisAnalog. All stock caps have also been replaced. Sonic improvement is there, but I feel I can unleash the sound further. I have been toying with the idea of cnc-ing a new plinth and remove the stock frame altogether ala Artisan Fidelity's NGS (or even SAT's). Would like to hear what others have tried and found to be a winning combo.
 

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
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Seeking ideas to tweak the SP10mk3 further. Right now it is in stock SH10B5 plinth, but I replaced the stock feet with hardwood (mpingo) and replaced the stock rubber mat with AT mat. I also have the brake mechanism removed and replaced the MN6042 chip with the new one from FidelisAnalog. All stock caps have also been replaced. Sonic improvement is there, but I feel I can unleash the sound further. I have been toying with the idea of cnc-ing a new plinth and remove the stock frame altogether ala Artisan Fidelity's NGS (or even SAT's). Would like to hear what others have tried and found to be a winning combo.

Why not speak to Albert Porter at Porterhousee Audio.

I know of a good delrin/aluminium plinth - made in the UK.

Be careful about recapping - some people cause more damage than improvement - were there problems in the first place - if its done - so be it...

Why remove the brake mechanism?
 

leyenda

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2011
222
115
948
Why not speak to Albert Porter at Porterhousee Audio.

I know of a good delrin/aluminium plinth - made in the UK.

Be careful about recapping - some people cause more damage than improvement - were there problems in the first place - if its done - so be it...

Why remove the brake mechanism?

I am planning to remove the top plate altogether therefore have not looked into Albert plinth. If the plan to remove top plate does not materialize, I will certainly look into his plinth.

On recapping, it was a preventive measure as some of the caps were leaky. I strongly recommend you to recap yours, particularly if you have the mk3 as leaky caps can lead to many difficult-to-trace problems. The mk2 is easier to maintain though.

Brake mechanism - my friend said he heard improvements when brake is removed. My tech said some people prefer to have brakes removed but it should not have any impact to performance. I saw no harm so I just did it. The platter stops immediately even without the brake though as there is a reverse direction pulse applied to the motor upon turn-off.

Delrin/aluminium plinth - can I please have more info? Does it make any difference to the SH10B5 stock plinth? Thanks!
 

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
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Sydney
Seeking ideas to tweak the SP10mk3 further. Right now it is in stock SH10B5 plinth, but I replaced the stock feet with hardwood (mpingo) and replaced the stock rubber mat with AT mat. I also have the brake mechanism removed and replaced the MN6042 chip with the new one from FidelisAnalog. All stock caps have also been replaced. Sonic improvement is there, but I feel I can unleash the sound further. I have been toying with the idea of cnc-ing a new plinth and remove the stock frame altogether ala Artisan Fidelity's NGS (or even SAT's). Would like to hear what others have tried and found to be a winning combo.

I also have the SP10mk3 in the SL1000mk3 plinth. Also done the MN6042 from JP.

I use Stiilpoint V feet and Micro Seiki CU180 platter mat. The best mat I have heard for the Mk3 including Artisan's own copper mat.
The biggest upgrade was the Thales Simplicity II tonearm - works really well.

I have looked at the Acoustand Delrinium Plinth but not yet tried it - drop in for the Mk3 and 10R. It's a lot cheaper alternative than the AF NGS. I would love you to try that and let us know how it sounds :cool:

https://www.acoustand.co.uk/collect...and-technics-sp10r-plinth-system-new-for-2018
 

leyenda

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2011
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XV - if my plan to remove chassis does not work I will certainly look into the Acoustand :cool:

I see that you also have the P3 - how does it compare to the mk3 (and the AC-3 even)? I heard the P3A in direct comparison to MS SX8000II and think it sort of held its ground. Unfortunately it doesn't accommodate more tonearms so I went the mk3 route instead.
 

XV-1

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May 24, 2010
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Hi Leyenda

The P3 is better sounding compared to the SP10 mk3 when using the Technics arm.
Mk3 is better sounding used with more modern arm as in the Thales, so this gets the most use.

The P3 as a table with integrated arm is one of if not the best ever made and the build quality is as good as Accuphase.
 

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
432
99
258
I am planning to remove the top plate altogether therefore have not looked into Albert plinth. If the plan to remove top plate does not materialize, I will certainly look into his plinth.

On recapping, it was a preventive measure as some of the caps were leaky. I strongly recommend you to recap yours, particularly if you have the mk3 as leaky caps can lead to many difficult-to-trace problems. The mk2 is easier to maintain though.

Brake mechanism - my friend said he heard improvements when brake is removed. My tech said some people prefer to have brakes removed but it should not have any impact to performance. I saw no harm so I just did it. The platter stops immediately even without the brake though as there is a reverse direction pulse applied to the motor upon turn-off.

Delrin/aluminium plinth - can I please have more info? Does it make any difference to the SH10B5 stock plinth? Thanks!

I can’t give first hand experience for this deck but I have both a Jvc tt101 and Sony TTS 8000 and my research drew me to look at the Delrin aluminium plinth. I’m designing my own with an aerolam sub chassis and a Panzerholz aluminium sandwich top plate.
I see ur issue with leaky caps - u had no choice. I was advised by a guy who works on sp10’s to be cautious with recapping
 

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
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I know of a good bearing mod by an Aussie chap called Richard Krebs - search him out - he knows his onions so to speak - really helpful and friendly too.
 

XV-1

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May 24, 2010
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I know of a good bearing mod by an Aussie chap called Richard Krebs - search him out - he knows his onions so to speak - really helpful and friendly too.

Richard is from New Zealand and his bearing mod is like a black art secret handshake and are not reversible, so no thanks.
 
Last edited:

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
432
99
258
Richard is from New Zealand and his bearing mod is like a black art secret handshake and are not reversible, so no thanks.

LOL - not intended to insult the chap regarding his country...

I must say that when I had my JVC QL10 looked at I replaced the thrusst plate with a teflon one and put in a silicone nitride ball. Not only that but I use a watch oil that you can get from Reson Audio. The oil is quite clever as it does towards gaps as opposed to being dispersed.

I am told that the Krebs mod is very good, but it is impossible to hear back to back comparisons or auditions. All said I'm not qualified to say whether it is good or bad without the requisite experience of it.

My only concern with a 'permanent change' is that if it required work in the future it can't be worked on due to the 'black art' you speak of. This ios a major problem for Lavardin Audio in France - they can't repair their own PO phono stage - because the original designer died and never saved/shared the circuit with the rest of his own damn factory (eccentric genius...???)
 

Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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I have an SP10 Mk3 as well. I really love it and at some point I’d like to get the chip Updated and have the caps checked - all seems fine now actually.... can anyone recommend the best person or place here in the USA to do this work?
 

leyenda

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Mar 2, 2011
222
115
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I have an SP10 Mk3 as well. I really love it and at some point I’d like to get the chip Updated and have the caps checked - all seems fine now actually.... can anyone recommend the best person or place here in the USA to do this work?

Bill Thalmann of Music Technology.
 
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Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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For anyone who might be interested..... here are some pictures of my SP10 Mk3 build. My Garrard 301s are next to it. I used the recipe of constrained layers of Panzerholz, aluminum, hard maple For the inner block. It has a quarter inch thick steel bearing drain, and sits on Stillpoints ultimate 6 to more layers of Panzerholz and soapstone.
 

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XV-1

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May 24, 2010
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Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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Superb plinths Ovenmitt!
Thanks @leyenda and @XV-1 ..... I just received shipment of more Panzerholz and I’m hoping to find the time to build a couple more SP10 and Garrard 301 Plinths soon.
 

Direct Drive

Well-Known Member
Sep 16, 2020
148
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East Anglia, UK
Best plinth reputedly was the SAEC SXB-3. Rare as, but arguably shouldn't be too difficult to replicate, other than the movable resonantor.

But you can always mount more arms.




I'm thinking of making one for my MKII/P
 

Direct Drive

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Sep 16, 2020
148
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East Anglia, UK

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