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Technics: PLINTHS: Dobbins, Porter, or Thompson?


Hello,

Trying to decide among Steve Dobbins', Albert Porter's or Christopher Thompson's plinth for my Technics SP10 MkIIa TT. Each person has but a great deal of thought and experimentation into their product.

I'm looking for input, suggestions and opinions --based on experience-- about the best plinth for my listening preferences. They are: musically authentic, neutral, evenly balanced top to bottom and completely transparent.

I prefer to feel that I am being transported to the recording venue than that the musicians are in my listening room. My system is the Aurum Acoustics Integris. The preamp and phono pre are integrated in the Aurum CDP. I plan to use a Reed 12" arm.

Has any of you heard one or more of these plinths in use with an SP10 MkII TT? I am very interested to learn your thoughts and listening impressions.

I've asked, but there are no Thompson or Porter plinths close enough for me to audition here in the Northeast, or have I missed one?

Thanks very much for any help or suggestions you can provide.

Happy Thanksgiving,

David
128x128cdk84
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Cdk84, I don't know anything about the "Thompson" plinth, but you certainly cannot go wrong with either Albert's or Steve's plinth. You might just choose between those based on cost and availability. Albert has recently written that his plinth is back-ordered for 3-4 years, for example. Neither is cheap. Both purport to achieve your musical goals.
glai's avatar
glai
442 posts
 
Do you mean Chris Thornton? Thornton's tables are very high quality with excellent workmanship, looks and sound. I am very happy with mine.

I am sure Porter and Dobbins are very good as well. I have listened to Dobbins at RMAF and have not had the chance at the Portre's.
azjake's avatar
azjake
277 posts
 
I have one by Chris, a Thorens, and two by Steve Dobbins, a Technics and a Garrard.

Chris is more the purest whose finishes are the most unusual, though the mechanics are not necessarily updated, just cleaned,lubed etc...
Almost EVERYTHING Albert does will be top notch as his are meticulous!

In the end...I have ordered Steve Dobbins new table Kondo [the Beat] Figure your budget and patience,research or talk with them all and go with your own impressions!
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Azjake, To be fair, the Beat (Kondo?) is a complete new turntable. This is not to say that I am not envious; I heard the Beat at RMAF and was blown away. Anyway, the OP wants to know about plinths. Do you have a feel for the Dobbins' plinths vs the Thornton plinth? (From what I can find on the internet, and since I was not aware of Chris Thornton's work prior to this post, it seems he makes plinths for Thorens tables and is just getting into making them for Technics tables.
franks
150 posts
 
I have not heard any of these plinths but I can say that Albert Porter is a class gentlemen who I wouldn't hesitate to buy from. I have no doubt his plinths are outstanding. Steve Dobbins I know of only by reputation but I don't think you can go wrong there either.
Another "brand" of plinths you might consider is OMA slate plinths from Jonathan Weiss. If your from the northeast they have a showroon in NYC. At the least you would get a chance to hear an SP 10 in a proper plinth. They also make a SP 10 where the individual components are taken out of the metal casing and individually mounted in a 200 pound plinth. You can check out their plinths, etc. on their website.
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