Jeff's New Music Room, the Return of Jeffrey_t

Hello All!
Due to some welcome and overdue forum changes, I'm happy to return and share my new music room and system. I'll be using my Audiogon user name going forward. Over the last year I built a dedicated room on my property, my last room was a converted garage. This room has the following features:

-Dedicated lines with 10 awg copper wire and separate ground
-Shear walls all around
-Quite Rock II drywall
-Blue Jeans insulation
-Wood roof with slightly uneven rafters to break up the reflections
-Custom built record rack behind the listening position that acts as a giant diffuser
-Bathroom/utility room for record cleaning

The system has also been updated, as I've sold all of the Lamm gear. The major focus of the system is to capitalize on the new quite dedicated lines and have a zero hum system. You can put your ear up to the midrange horn and hear nothing. I listen to 90% analog so the heart of the system is the PBN Garrard 401 which continues to be a stellar performer, I really can't think of another turntable I would want. My new phono stage is the phenomenal Aurorasound Vida Supreme. It is extremely musical, flexible, dynamic, and silent. With some help from two WBF members (thanks @Al M. and @KeithR) digital streaming has been added to the system, really great for rock and finding new music. Blue Node streamer and Schitt Yiggy DAC are a lot of fun to mess with. I've also added a TVC to the system (thanks @213Cobra), the very musical Luxman AT-3000. It also helps with the theme of silent and black backgrounds. Two SET amps give different flavors, 2 watt 45 for clarity and 8 watt 300B for added warmth. Full system list:

-PBN Garrard 401
-LDA Turntable Power Supply
-SME 3012R x 2
-VDH Colibri Stradivarius
-Ortofon SPU A95
-Aurorasound Vida Supreme Phono
-Blue Node Streamer
-Schitt Yiggdrasil LIM
-Yamamoto 45
-Xaio Nan 300B hand made mono blocks
-JBL Hartsfield

Here are some pictures of the project:

Full System 1.jpgFull System with Roof.jpgRecord Shelves.jpgComponents.jpgUtility Room.jpg
 
After listening to the Thorens TD 124 for the last few days I have to say I'm extremely happy with the purchase. It has great bogie factor and fantastic bass. The original owner rebuilt the motor and added a new plinth but I've decided to go all in. Ordered these upgrades week:

1. New idler wheel
2. New bearing
3. Thicker plinth (7 layer Baltic birch ply)
4. New platter

I'm trying to buy another LDA power supply but they cannot manufacture due to chip shortages. It works wonders with my Garrard 401, I guess I'll have to find one used.
 
After listening to the Thorens TD 124 for the last few days I have to say I'm extremely happy with the purchase. It has great bogie factor and fantastic bass. The original owner rebuilt the motor and added a new plinth but I've decided to go all in. Ordered these upgrades week:

1. New idler wheel
2. New bearing
3. Thicker plinth (7 layer Baltic birch ply)
4. New platter

I'm trying to buy another LDA power supply but they cannot manufacture due to chip shortages. It works wonders with my Garrard 401, I guess I'll have to find one used.
Why a new platter all other new platter sounds like crap alu or stainless steel. Go for the old magnetic platter trust me. in france a company who demagnetized the platter, if the fluctuating vtf bothers you. always measure off the platter.
20230317_164308.jpg
My Tip
Idler wheel audio silente
New Belt
Need stable plinth
Good oil for sinter bearing
Motor check if it run hot, new bearing and oil
Then let the beast run and enjoy have fun.
 
Why a new platter all other new platter sounds like crap alu or stainless steel. Go for the old magnetic platter trust me. in france a company who demagnetized the platter, if the fluctuating vtf bothers you. always measure off the platter.
View attachment 106175
My Tip
Idler wheel audio silente
New Belt
Need stable plinth
Good oil for sinter bearing
Motor check if it run hot, new bearing and oil
Then let the beast run and enjoy have fun.
So I should have been more clear. I’m keeping the original mk1 iron platter, I just got a new turned aluminum top platter from Retro Tone UK.

 
So I should have been more clear. I’m keeping the original mk1 iron platter, I just got a new turned aluminum top platter from Retro Tone UK.

Ok. I understand you want to use the quick start function. i run it without this aluminium platter i use a other material on the iron platter.
 
What do you use?
Graphite mat 8mm thick( audio silente)in the moment.
Or Tizo acryl 6mm sounds both pretty good.
20210131_145750.jpg
 
Graphite mat 8mm thick( audio silente)in the moment.
Or Tizo acryl 6mm sounds both pretty good.
View attachment 106278
Great. Are you using an external power supply?
 
Great. Are you using an external power supply?
I run it at 220volt ac with an old control transformer, protects the motor from overheating and provides constant voltage. Useful for old tube eletronic too.


tst280_6_ansicht_03_z5.jpg

P.S
here in germany in my home comes 237 volt from the wall socket too high the motor runs at the quietest 217-220 volts ac
 
Last edited:
I would say the Thorens is easier and less expensive to get going. The Garrard needs a more robust plinth, power supply, and new bearing to get to audiophile standards.
 
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After many trials and tribulations, my new crossovers are finally in route and will arrive on Friday. Next week I'll be rewiring the speakers and I'm hoping to replace the grills if I'm smart enough so figure them out. I'll take pictures when they arrive on Friday.
Good luck! Is it all with Duelund caps?
 
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