Croatian high end turntable

Okay, did a quick and dirty setup tonight... The table sounds great, much quieter than my other tables. I still need to do a ground up setup correctly, but I may limp along for a while...
 
Gary, Your first step is to make sure the distance between the center of the pivot point and the center of the spindle is exactly 222mm.
 
Gary, Your first step is to make sure the distance between the center of the pivot point and the center of the spindle is exactly 222mm.

Thank you Mike! That is where i started with the Feikert tool. After that is where I may have cut some corners (and need to fix)!
 

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Thank you Mike! That is where i started with the Feikert tool. After that is where I may have cut some corners (and need to fix)!
Next, adjust the VTA, then, since the headshell is fix and there’s no slotted holes for the headshell screws where you can move and adjust the cartridge. The angle of the fixed headshell is pretty close as far as accuracy. To adjust the cart, get a protractor that has the two separate grid with two separate null point. To get your stylus to land perfectly centered, you need to slide the tonearm back or forward, in my case I had to slide it back almost half an inch to make it land dead center on both null point. After this is all done, adjust the tracking force and finally the Azimuth. Does this make any sense?
 
Next, adjust the VTA, then, since the headshell is fix and there’s no slotted holes for the headshell screws where you can move and adjust the cartridge. The angle of the fixed headshell is pretty close as far as accuracy. To adjust the cart, get a protractor that has the two separate grid with two separate null point. To get your stylus to land perfectly centered, you need to slide the tonearm back or forward, in my case I had to slide it back almost half an inch to make it land dead center on both null point. After this is all done, adjust the tracking force and finally the Azimuth. Does this make any sense?

Yes, perfect! Thank you Mike!
 
Also, as for me, I don’t use any Platter mat only the clear plastic that came with the TT but when adjusting everything, of course you have to use any vinyl. I also end up using the weight for the anti skate and it works but you’ll only see it works if you have a smooth blank with no line vinyl.
 
Matt, What’s the latest on your SAM TT.

Ok, I've been finding that I need to adjust the speed on my S.A.M Aldebaran depending on different time of day. I believe it's due to varying levels at the wall socket during the day. I've a Linear Power Supply coming to see if it helps. Hopefully it will do the trick vs the stock wall wart:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142049553574

I just checked out the Lyra Delos, ouch! Very nice, but looks to be a little out of my budget for now at least.

The Audio Technica ART9 compares very well with the Lyra Delos for somewhat less cash. I've found the vintage Phillips GP922 to be somewhat better though. Very rare though there is a NOS one with matching preamp on eBay right now. Same cost as an ART9 so a bargain all up:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/264090439272
 
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Ok, I've been finding that I need to adjust the speed on my S.A.M Aldebaran depending on different time of day. I believe it's due to varying levels at the wall socket during the day. I've a Linear Power Supply coming to see if it helps. Hopefully it will do the trick vs the stock wall wart:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142049553574



The Audio Technica ART9 compares very well with the Lyra Delos for somewhat less cash. I've found the vintage Phillips GP922 to be somewhat better though. Very rare though there is a NOS one with matching preamp on eBay right now. Same cost as an ART9 so a bargain all up:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/264090439272

Nice! Let us know how the new power supply works out. I would like to replace the wall wart as well if only because the EU to US plug adapter is awkward.

As for the cartridge, I ended up going with a DL-103R. Ivan recommended the 103 as a budget MC option that would work well. This is feeding a high gain phono preamp. So far, I'm happy with it, but I don't have much experience with MC cartridges.
 
Nice! Let us know how the new power supply works out. I would like to replace the wall wart as well if only because the EU to US plug adapter is awkward.

As for the cartridge, I ended up going with a DL-103R. Ivan recommended the 103 as a budget MC option that would work well. This is feeding a high gain phono preamp. So far, I'm happy with it, but I don't have much experience with MC cartridges.

If the plug is the only issue, you'll find that the wall wart supplied allows you to unclip the European plug and clip in the correct plug for whatever country you're in. There is some really small part numbers printed onto the wall wart which if you search for that and US plug will find the correct plug for the US. I did that to change mine to Australian.

The DL103 is a wonderful cart to start with. The best SUT I've come across for it used vintage Jensen transformers. Created sweet magic. Once the stylus is worn get one of the closed wood bodies from Germany (Stanley Engineering) and get retipped with boron cantilever and a line contact. You won't regret it.

I'll report back on the power supply, provided I remember. Might need a little reminder in a month or two ;)
 
Thinking of pulling the trigger on one as well to go into a secondary system (main system is digital only for now). I'd pair it with a Benz Micro Gold I have on a restored Denon 57L table I'm using now. How easy is it to setup? I'm handy and technical though at 57 my eyes aren't what they once were. The adjustments to achieve perfect azimuth and VTA sound kind of like a PITA. Maybe not... I use one of those old Mobile Fidelity Geodiscs which I have always found did a good job.

What's the sweet spot for the SAM price wise? I'm between the Alderbaran and the Renegade.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Audiop...h=item3fac66d96a:g:z-YAAOSw15Zbp4F4:rk:4:pf:1

Thanks much!
 
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Ok, I've been finding that I need to adjust the speed on my S.A.M Aldebaran depending on different time of day. I believe it's due to varying levels at the wall socket during the day. I've a Linear Power Supply coming to see if it helps. Hopefully it will do the trick vs the stock wall wart:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142049553574



The Audio Technica ART9 compares very well with the Lyra Delos for somewhat less cash. I've found the vintage Phillips GP922 to be somewhat better though. Very rare though there is a NOS one with matching preamp on eBay right now. Same cost as an ART9 so a bargain all up:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/264090439272
The motor is DC synchronous which means it's an electric motor having a speed exactly proportional to the current frequency. I don't think the voltage is going to change anything for you. We await your post.
 
I am strongly considering the SAM Renegade. Hope to pull the trigger on it this week. Means I will sell my beloved restored Denon 57L. Anyone interested PM me. Local pickup preferred.

Ivan has been very responsive to my questions and assures me the VTA and azimuth adjustments won't be a major problem.
 
The motor is DC synchronous which means it's an electric motor having a speed exactly proportional to the current frequency. I don't think the voltage is going to change anything for you. We await your post.

Turned out my motor unit was defective. Ivan repaired for just the cost of post to Croatia.
 
I am strongly considering the SAM Renegade. Hope to pull the trigger on it this week. Means I will sell my beloved restored Denon 57L. Anyone interested PM me. Local pickup preferred.

Ivan has been very responsive to my questions and assures me the VTA and azimuth adjustments won't be a major problem.
If you become a member ($25 a year) you can post your Denon on Barter Town and will reach allot more people with a better chance to sell it quicker .

Audiofreak71
 
Turned out my motor unit was defective. Ivan repaired for just the cost of post to Croatia.
That is good to hear. Nice to see they are looking out for their customers. I am seriously considering an Aldebaran Unit without tonearm and an adapter for my tonearm.
 
That is good to hear. Nice to see they are looking out for their customers. I am seriously considering an Aldebaran Unit without tonearm and an adapter for my tonearm.

Worthwhile. My Fidelity Research arms considerably better the Calista II, to my ears anyway. Then again I prefer them to most arms
 
Worthwhile. My Fidelity Research arms considerably better the Calista II, to my ears anyway. Then again I prefer them to most arms

I've zero'd in on the Renegade. My only concern is the arm as I don't believe I've owned a unipivot before. I've heard pros and cons about them, cons usually relating to setup (can be a PITA) and the fact that it can be hard to place them on a record (busted cantilevers). My eyes after staring at PC monitor for 35 years aren't what they onc were. Any opinions on the Calista itself? I'm afraid if I bought it armless I'd have trouble setting up an arm.
 
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