Specials - February, 2023
Click the links below, or scroll down this page to view an item of interest:
Turntable / Tonearm Packages
Contact us about tonearm packages which are two low to advertise, and click here for an overview.
Flash! Cartridges !!!
With the new cartridge lines we're bringing in, we've kicked off a long term evaluation process. We're attempting the impossible - to set up, break in and get to know all of our cartridges.
We've come up with a plan.
Tell us about a cartridge you're interested in. If we have yet to evaluate it, we'll order it for you, run a full QC, and sell it to you at a price that's too low to advertise.
Know that putting 10-20 hours into a cartridge project, along with documenting its setup is not a trivial task, so we'll be spacing these projects out to fit in with our other activities.
We reserve the right to determine cartridges that qualify for this program.
After receiving your deposit, we'll do the following:
- Order your cartridge.
- Set it up and run it in for 10-20 hours.
- Perform a full QC, including producing USB microscope photos, along with documenting azimuth and all other setup parameters.
- If there's any anomaly, we'll send it back to the distributor to correct the issue.
- Deliver your cartridge at a price that's too low to advertise.
Your cartridge will be delivered "as new with dealer QC" along with all of the normal documentation and warranty details.
About sample to sample cartridge variance.
Tonearms are adjustable for the very reason that affixing a tiny diamond to a cantilever (while being a precision operation) is not an exact science. Even the best cartridges vary by as much as +/-1.5 degrees in any plane (SRA, azimuth zenith). Cartridges falling within these parameters are considered to be normal.
Were this not the case, we would not be using advanced setup tools like USB microscopes, dedicated setup records and software, oscilloscopes, and such.
Current Items
Gavia Mk 1 (optional Mk 1.5 update) - placeholder ad (get in line for the next arrival)
GAVIA Mk-I / 1.5
Tentatively Sold
We'll leave this ad up as being representative of the infrequent delivery of Gavia traded-ins.
In most instances, they require minor modification to accept Mk 1.5 armboards, with other options described below.
Pricing ranges from $6,995 to $9,980, depending on the restoration options you select (see below).
click to enlarge
This turntable has our original graphite TPI © top plate. In subsequent model years, we updated this to carbon fiber. The change was cosmetic and not a functional one.
This turntable and associated parts have the standard polished aluminum finish.
Cosmetically, we'd rate them as an Audiogon "8/10".
Shown with the customer's Mk 1.5 armboard for a Durand Telos (see below for armboard options).
Our polisher has retired, and in recent years, we have been anodizing these parts (and the reason for the refinishing options specified below).
You can view the various armboards in our museum.
Included in base price ($6,995):
- Full QC / certification of drive train (current specification, including Teddy Pardo linear supply)
- Rebuilt bearing with ceramic thrust ball interface.
- Armboard drilled for your tonearm (see below).
A la carte options:
- Machine a cavity in the base for universal tonearm compatibility when using Mk 1.5 armboards: $895
- Replace the graphite TPI © top plate with carbon fiber: $795
- Re-finishing (option-1) - anodize: $695
- Re-finishing (option-2) - custom auto colors of your choosing: $1,295
Armboard options:
- Stelvio Mk-I (pivoting) armboard. This works with surface mount arms like the TriPlanar and Durands.
- Standard Mk-I (pivoting) armboard. This will work with a variety of tonearms, including most 12" arms.
- Mk 1.5 armboard. These are described here. They can be used with no base modifications with surface mount arms like the TriPlanar and Durands. For arms which have an arm stub or cable requiring space underneath the tonearm, the cavity machining operation is required. Our recent production run of these armboards has a matte silver cosmetic, like the turntable shown below.
Recommendation:
If I were choosing this turntable, I would perform the Mk 1.5 arm cavity machining (#1), and retain the graphite TPI © top plate and current polished finish, for a delivered price of $7,890. I would have no problems running a top level demo with this turntable - with the most discriminating customer.
History:
This turntable was already upgraded to the current drive system (including the Teddy Pardo power supply) and shortly after doing so, the owner spent 30 months out of the country. The turntable sat unused on his shelf during this period. We'll QC the drive and if necessary, perform any servicing on it.
Below is an outline of a full restoration for for these remanufactured turntables, showing various finishing options.
With the Mk 1.5 armboard, this turntable is sonically the indistinguishable from our Mk II turntables, with the only functional difference being that it accommodates only one tonearm.
Previous Gavia Restorations
Matte Silver Finish
It’s the rare individual who “requires” an upgrade from a Gavia to a Stelvio turntable, and on average, we’ll see perhaps one Gavia come our way in a calendar year.
Contact us to get on the waiting list.
The two Gavias shown here are examples of re-maufactured turntables we’ve received in trade.
The re-manufacturing process includes conversion to Mk 1.5 status which brings their performance up to that of our Mk-II turntables.
Here are the details:
- We fit our new, 2019 drive system.
- We re-machine the base to accommodate our Mk 1.5 armboards.
- All chassis components are given our either our new “default” finish (anodized, matte silver) or optional Stelvio custom colors.
- The bearing is rebuilt. This is primarily to bring the turntable to current specification. In 2019, we changed to a ceramic bearing, and we decided that and every turntable that passes through us, will receive this upgrade. Our original bearings have stood the test of time, but the ceramic ones are even more robust.
- If the platter is from an earlier generation, it is rebuilt to current standard, with a carbon fiber top plate.
Gavia 1.5 Conversion
All moving parts are new and the chassis components (base, motor pod, front pillar) are refinished to new condition.
Your re-manufactured Gavia is functionally and sonically identical to the Mark-II Gavia, with the only limitation being that only one tonearm can be mounted
Setup Tools
One of my customers is selling the following:
AnalogMagik version 1: $475.
The upgrade to version 2 retails for $250, for a total investment of $725.
The version 2 upgrade consists of two replacement test records, and your version 1 USB license key is used to access the new software.
When purchased new, version 2 retails for $1,100 (click here).
Wallyskater: $130 (new price is $260)
Exasound E38 DAC
This is the 8 channel DAC owned by Lynn Olson and covered by me in my blog and re-published in Positive Feedback.
Lynn has rethought his approach to DACs and is shifting back to two channel. For the output, this DAC has 8 mini XLR connectors on the rear (no RCA output connectors).
I have some mini XLRs in my parts bin which I’ll include for you – this, if you’re building your own cables.
Contact Lynn directly at: lynnandkarna@earthlink.net for both pricing and details.
Linn LP12
We’ve known Jon for over 20 years, and he’s in line for one of our new Savoie turntables. There’s room on his shelf for only one turntable.
You can contact Jon directly at this e-mail address: ainums@spectrum.net. Jon and I are researching what a fair price would be, and hence, the absence of an asking price at present.
Jon describes this LP12 as follows:
" Excellent+ condition – a few minor blemishes. Original lacquer on platter in excellent condition. Good belt. Bearing drained and sealed. Will wrap in brown paper."
- Linn Sondek LP12
- Valhalla power supply (single speed 33.3 rpm)
- Armboard drilled for Ittok
- Blank 6-point armboard
- Cirkus bearing and chassis
- 120v/60Hz
- Stainless top, original Linn wood base
- New dust cover in bag with cloth cover
- New dust cover hinges
- New complete double box and packing
- Includes online setup guide
Click the thumbnail photos for a larger view:
Serac (none currently available)
This is also a placeholder ad. Contact us to get on a waiting list.
Serac in Standard Gloss Black
These are becoming more rare with the passage of time.
We still however, occasionally receive trade-ins of matched Serac platters and bearings.
These matched platters and bearings come in from Gavia owners who are upgrading to a composite platter. At one point, Gavias were offered with a choice of either a Serac or a Gavia platter.
Since we have a few remaining Serac bases in storage, we can build a hybrid Serac for you.
Here’s a breakdown of the Serac re-issue:
- A new Serac base is modified to accommodate the Mk 1.5 armboard architecture, and painted.
- The turntable has a traded in Serac platter
- The traded in bearing is rebuilt, and upgraded with our new, ceramic thrust ball. Our original bearings have stood the test of time, but the ceramic ones are even more robust. This is the identical bearing to our Gavia and Stelvio turntables.
- A Mk 1.5, sliding (not pivoting) armboard is drilled for your tonearm. We have a few Mk-I armboards on hand. Inquire about these if you’re interested.
- A front pillar is supplied. This protects the cantilever from damage. It’s the same pillar you see on our Mk II turntables.
- A new, more massive Gavia motor pod is supplied.
- A new drive system is supplied – the same drive system in our Gavia and Stelvio Mk-II turntables.
- The Astron RS 7A power supply is included, although we strongly recommend upgrading to a Teddy Pardo supply.
The photo is of a previous build with the Mk-I armboard archtecture.
Serac Background
The Serac may be our greatest technical achievement and biggest commercial flop. We put all of our r&d into performance, and compromised on cosmetics to deliver it at its price point.
In retrospect, we realized that the market preferred a bit more cosmetics, but we could have never delivered so much sound at this price point if we had done so.
Put this into perspective: our customers currently pay $1,295 to upgrade to this drive system – the same one we specify for our 5-figure Stelvio and Gavia turntables – a drive system which competes against cost no object turntables.s
For a relatively small price difference, you’re getting an entire turntable with the same bearing and drive system we specify for the Gavia and Stelvio turntables.
