2. analog
  3. 119660-74046

Advice for a new Oracle Delphi Owner

Calling all Oracle Delphi owners, I recently bought a nice condition MK III and have a couple of questions for existing or previous owners of this fine turntable.

My questions are.

1) Do you always switch off the platter each time you change the record over or try to unclamp, flip over, re clamp whilst the platter is spinning. If the answer is yes I assume the motor is robust enough for the constant switching on and off?

2) Do you ever play with an alternative platter mat without the clamp. If so what brand.

I really like this turntable and it sounds excellent with no issues evident at the moment. My only thoughts are that it is a little more time consuming to use due to the constant power off, unclamp, place record, reclamp, power on and play routine for every side of play. 

Look forward to any input.

Thanks.
ateal
ateal OP
95 posts
 
oldears, thanks for the tip re. the Herbies mat, I may give that a try. As for the belt ride height I checked last night and it sits square in the middle of the inner rim, so I have some room to maneuver up or down if I need to.  

Also it sounds like we both have our suspension set exactly the same at 18mm with similar bounces. That's good to know.

With regards to the bearing I am not sure if I have a 2 piece or 1 piece. I do know that I can remove the bottom of the bearing and flip over or replace the thrust pad. How do I tell if I have 1 or 2 piece bearing?

Thanks again.
oldears
208 posts
 
From your response I would say you have the older bearing.
The barrel of the newer bearing in in 2 pieces separated by an o-ring.

harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
I never liked the sound of stiff suspension with hard mat @  Mk VI. Typo.

Correction: Mk IV. the first model with hard mat & stiffer suspension. I never experienced V or VI.

Sorry for confusion :/
ateal OP
95 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification oldears and harold.

I fitted my Fidelity Research FR1 MK3F LOMC cartridge this weekend and even though it is considered a low compliance cart (10cm @  10Hz ) it matched perfectly with the low mass Oracle SME 345 tonearm.

I now feel I have my reference TT / Arm / Cart combo.

2channel8
634 posts
 
I wanted to see if an acrylic mat would make the improvements Oracle claimed if I 'upgraded' from the Groove Isolator, as they recommended, but didn't want to pay the hefty price for the new mat and modified clamp. I thought I'd experiment with a cheaper acrylic mat first; but couldn't find one that was both 3mm thick and 289mm across. I asked an Ebay seller if he'd make one for me and woodendan was kind enough to do so. If your interested, ask him for the new size. I haven't done enough listening yet to decide on my Alex; but I love it on my Linn Basik!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322383349483?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
More to discover