Keepin' my fingers crossed

[bully]

because I've got the Optonica RP-4705 comin' in transport.
The guy did tell me he packs real well, but his spelling, grammar, and use of all caps ... well, I'll hold my thoughts 'til the big baby arrives.
Besides that it should be a very nice 'table, it has a real glass dustcover! That's neat.
New stylus on the M95HE cartridge on the SL-23, the NOS Pickering on the SL-1300. Vinyl's been sounding good.
That SL-1300 is one huge, nice-sounding table.
Haven't tried the Telarc 1812 on it, yet, but I don't have it situated quite where I would like it. I have it on top of the G-9700, and that big guy doesn't like it one bit :D kinda looks like, hey this is not my brother, and it IS heavy!
The big-G is so big, and has the side-mounted jacks, it had to go on the top shelf that was meant for a TT.
Anyway, I want to shift things around downstairs, and get the M-80 set so I can use both the C-80 OR the Basic C-2 preamp, and have both the T-80 and the ST-8080 tuners, too.
If you have not used the Kenwood Basic C-2 phono section, you are missing one of the sweetest, quietest phono preamps around.
Far out, man, my local FM here has just been playing some super tunes this early morning! I just don't care for the 'golden oldie' label, like what am I, my parents??! :rolleyes:

[Moogfan]

I recently won an Optonica on Ebay (I don't even know the model!) for $9.00. One of those spur of the moment gambles, his auction description was so poor that almost nobody else bid. If worst comes to worst, I'm only out $18 after shipping.

I've thought about getting a Kenwood Basic C1 or C2 (they seem plentiful on Ebay) but finally settled on a Technics SU-C01 which I won for $42, a really decent, quiet vintage piece from 1979 (phono section is completely discreet, no IC's). Sounds excellent, and it finally settled my problem with finding a halfway decent phono stage for under $150.

Anyway, hope that Optonica works out for ya, I'm really curious to see the one I won up close... could be a winner, could be a complete turkey, it was hard to tell from the picture & description :rolleyes: :D

[bully]

I'm waiting for new styli, the cart I've put on the Optonica has a well used stylus. The RP-4705 seems to be well put together, and features very deliberate and unhurried action.
With the poor condition of the stylus, I have not played but a few LPs on the table. Mebbe they'll be here today!?
I got mine on eBay for $19.95, IIRC. Guy packed it like the fragile instrument TTs are! :D
I would like to hear your thoughts on the Optonica after you've got it.

thanks,
pete

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by bully
I would like to hear your thoughts on the Optonica after you've got it.

thanks,
pete
Sure thing... I'll post something about it, provided it arrives in one piece (the tonearm in particular looked really good in the auction picture). Basically I'm looking for something better than my Hitachi HT-1 (P-mount, Grado Black) which sounds OK but could definitely be improved on -- especially in the 'resistance to vibration' department.

[car67]

Hey Pete,

Just curious, I once saw a Optonica in a mag that had a granite/resin base. Is that the same as yours? Must be pretty darn heavy with the granite and glass cover together!

Moogfan, welcome! Post a pic of your purchase when you get the chance.

cheers
Jack:)

[bully]

Mine is plastic, but it is one heavy mofo of a TT. From the bottom of its feet it's not more than 4 inches high!
What I've heard from it today, with the new stylus in the AT, it plays nicely. Should be cleaned and lubed, and I've gotta figger out the 'repeat' thing, it wants to repeat so that bugger button may have a problem.
But, as spinnin' vinyl and trackin' the groove, it does that quite well.

pete

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by bully
I would like to hear your thoughts on the Optonica after you've got it.

thanks,
pete

It's an Optonica RP-3300 direct drive. Unfortunately the tonearm bearings are loose and have some "play" to them (a peeve of mine, since it can muddy the sound). The included cartridge is a Realistic/Stanton RS500DJ, which I just removed (fried stylus, don't want to bother finding a replacement).

What I'll probably do is order a cheap $25 cartridge somewhere and use this table to perfect my cartridge mounting/turntable setup skills (which need work). If it sounds reasonably good and the *(%&($% wires don't break off mounting the new cart. then it might replace my Hitachi HT-1 belt drive. If it doesn't sound very good then what can I do... turntables are a pain in the tail to ship. Either I'll save it for future use as a DIY record cleaner, or trash it (and keep the cartridge for future use). It only cost me $18.00 total including shipping.

[car67]

Hey Moogfan,

If the arm on the Optonica is questionable, what about moving the cart over from the Hitachi for an evaluation first? That's also one less variable for comparing the two.

:) :)

cheers
Jack

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by car67
Hey Moogfan,

If the arm on the Optonica is questionable, what about moving the cart over from the Hitachi for an evaluation first? That's also one less variable for comparing the two.

:) :)

cheers
Jack
Unfortunately, the Hitachi has a P-Mount tonearm and the Optonica has a standard 1/2" mount... otherwise it would be a good idea.

I may be coming by a Thorens TD-160 pretty soon, someone offered to send one in working condition for the cost of shipping & packing (which isn't trivial, he wants to get it professionally packed). It doesn't have a headshell, so I've been trying to locate one from another source and seem to have succeeded. If the stars & planets align just right, I could have a much better vinyl setup pretty soon. :)

[bully]

The RP-4705 does its job very well, but I see some 'ergonomic' issues with the table.
The design is like a box, and the platter is down in the box. Makes using the D4 brush a bit difficult.
Also, there is no manual arm lift.
For a plastic piece, the thing is very heavy (even before I put the GLASS dustcover on the thing).

[car67]

Hey Moogfan,

Aahhhh, I see. :)

Best of luck with getting the TD160. Great TT and tweakers paradise if you so choose. And there are a few Thorens owners around here. Plenty of resources on the Net too - theanalogdept.com and Audio Asylum come to mind.
cheers
Jack