-edible zone-
-- Søren's comments:
" /quote
About the
turntable:
Thorens TD 320 Limited, bought 1986
modified
with:
- Solid oak bottom damped with lead shot
- Solid Mahogany slabs on the sides (making the sound round and "golden")
- Damping of platter with tar foliage on the inside
- Origin Live DC motor
- Origin Live Silver tonearm
- Shelter 501 MkII cartridge
About the sound, the modifications have really lifted the turntable
up to another class. The OL arm and Shelter cartridge was the biggest
improvement together with damping of platter and steel bottom, which I
more or less did at the same time.
I first tried a SME 3002 mk II
with Ortofon MM2 Black and also other cartridges and various RIAAs, but
neither of these different combinations worked well - the sound was not
satisfying until I got the OM Silver/Shelter setup and my present Pure
Sound tube RIAA, whereby the sound really opened up and became "round"
and ear pleasing.
The solid oak bottom with the lead shot
improved detailing and clarity, but the sound became dry and boring (the
lead shot was maybe a mistake). After adding the mahogany slabs
everything merged into a wonderful big, round, romantic and engaging
sound such as I could hear it on my Electrocompaniet amplifier set and
JM Lab speakers. But not until I got a set of AKG 701 headphones and a
good tube headphone amplifier, I was able to realize what a great sound
stage and a detailed sound this turntable can deliver. It might be
possible to improve the dynamic properties, but I don't know how.
As for the motor upgrade I couldn't distinguish much difference at
that time, but I believe that now, with the solid oak bottom and a
better system, it has it's share of the good sound.
I attach some
pictures from the process.
Søren
/unquote"