Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 15:57:23 GMT
I’ve been trying and failing to get another one of these recently so I thought I’d start a thread on them. They are heavily based on the Tom Fletcher/Nottingham Analogue decks and I like the looks and build. I bought a launch day bargain one and sold it when I came abroad, I sold mine cheaply but they have rocketed in price. Mine became available again at quite a hike more than I sold it for, but I was looking to do a deal to get it back. I wanted an original box for shipping and asked the maker. It just so happens they had a trade in one at a reasonable price, unfortunately the top plate is in a really ugly finish that I couldn’t live with, and so the search goes on, I’m sure I will have another one day but I wanted to give a shout out for the decks as they are really good and the maker is a top bloke to deal with. Here’s a couple of pics of mine and also one of the one I wouldn’t have because of the ugly top plate.    |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 1, 2018 16:03:32 GMT
Looks like a smoothed Interspace with Omega Point overtones?... The second one looks fab with the black top to me.
Tom had the belt running in grooves and the motor pod was separate. My mentor had the motor attached Rega like and after a while it droned through the speakers. As with a Rega, tightening the arm-pod minimised it and adding extra support to the motor mass plate (rubber feet between plate and hardboard bottom*) fixed it.
* The mentor reference had the motor totally separate to the plinth, it sitting in a hole cut for it but not touching the plinth as in all subsequent models.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 16:22:36 GMT
Looks like a smoothed Interspace with Omega Point overtones?... The second one looks fab with the black top to me. Tom had the belt running in grooves and the motor pod was separate. My mentor had the motor attached Rega like and after a while it droned through the speakers. As with a Rega, tightening the arm-pod minimised it and adding extra support to the motor mass plate (rubber feet between plate and hardboard bottom*) fixed it. * The mentor reference had the motor totally separate to the plinth, it sitting in a hole cut for it but not touching the plinth as in all subsequent models. I only wish it looked good to me  At first I thought it was the version with black acrylic top plate.  When I realised, I was ready to pay and I was gutted. Once I took a closer look, I saw that the edges weren’t radiused like my old version. Then I zoomed in on the dull finish. To me, it looks like the offcut you’re left with when you cut out the sink void from a cheap kitchen worktop. It looks far too DIY to me and I cannot understand why they made that version. The last owner had also taken a Scotchpad to the platter and dulled it down. I know it will sound as good as ever, but it was too big a leap for me, I did think about re-working the top plate, but then it wouldn’t be stock and I was paying enough to get something that didn’t need work. Pity though. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2018 9:32:23 GMT
Dare I say it but these Analogue Works decks may look nice but current pricing is way in excess of the Notts Analogue models (motor isolated properly). Get an Acespace or Hyperspace or another Michell Orbe. I've a hunch these will sound better. Looking at Divine Audio who I believe are behind these it appears they have changed the plinth so the rounded top edges have gone. So have they cut costs while doubling the price? The new higher model is £4500 and would surprise me if it bettered the Orbe SE at around £3K. There is also a similar deck to these made by Pear Audio (Europe) in Hungary I think which is cheaper? Actually they now have quite a range of Tom Fletcher clones. pearaudio-analogue.com/products.htmlwww.divineaudio.co.uk/brands/analogue-works |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 2, 2018 9:45:00 GMT
Just to explain, I’d agreed a used price of £500 for the TT1, which was boxed. Initially they were launched at £495 when I bought one. This was a mad introductory offer just to get a few owners out there and it actually meant that I got it at a few quid below cost. They quickly went to £799 but a few of us bought at £495 or £799. Now the price has gone up so much, I wouldn’t pay anything like that. I’d be looking to get one of the discounted ones which I still feel are good value. I simply don’t have enough vinyl to justify more.
It did sound great and especially liked the unipivot I had with it. I may have to look at alternatives, but I’m fussy about looks and none of the Fletcher/Notts decks seem to appeal.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2018 9:57:32 GMT
Just to explain, I’d agreed a used price of £500 for the TT1, which was boxed. Initially they were launched at £495 when I bought one. This was a mad introductory offer just to get a few owners out there and it actually meant that I got it at a few quid below cost. They quickly went to £799 but a few of us bought at £495 or £799. Now the price has gone up so much, I wouldn’t pay anything like that. I’d be looking to get one of the discounted ones which I still feel are good value. I simply don’t have enough vinyl to justify more. It did sound great and especially liked the unipivot I had with it. I may have to look at alternatives, but I’m fussy about looks and none of the Fletcher/Notts decks seem to appeal. I remember the offer. Looked great value. I still think this is an around £1K turntable. Would have to hear one against Rega/Notts/Michell to confirm that. But the TT1 looks a fairly simple design using Fletcher Audio platter and Notts Analogue/Fletcher motor. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 2, 2018 10:03:53 GMT
It’s £2500 now, which surprised me. The bearing is better than it was but the cost of the old one was £250 plus vat, I was told. How much the small numbers played in that price I don’t know. I think your summary of it as a simple design with Fletcher Audio Platter and Notts/Fletcher motor is pretty good.
It’s “weakness” was sensitivity to what it was put upon and what feet were used. The mat also made a big difference. Alto Extremo feet were a necessity I felt Andy a better mat was well worth it,
I still really like the looks and proportions, but a textured black top plate with unfinished edges totally spoiled it for me. I can wait though, so I don’t mind.
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Post by dsjr on Jul 2, 2018 11:46:06 GMT
Just get a bloody SPACEDECK, it's effin' brilliant and even in cheapest form, it gets more music off a record groove than so many others. Too fugly for many though, so the sheeple buy Rega RP8 instead or take their lives in their hands with a Funk thingy... Pro-ject don't really come into it at this level, - and neither does the Gyrodeck either - the Spacedeck sees that off handsomely I remember...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2018 14:36:33 GMT
Just get a bloody SPACEDECK, it's effin' brilliant and even in cheapest form, it gets more music off a record groove than so many others. Too fugly for many though, so the sheeple buy Rega RP8 instead or take their lives in their hands with a Funk thingy... Pro-ject don't really come into it at this level, - and neither does the Gyrodeck either - the Spacedeck sees that off handsomely I remember... Spacedeck looks a snip compared with Analogue Works. I really have never got to compare with a Gyro side by side but once at Scalford there was a Hyperspace and Orbe in adjacent rooms making equally enjoyable sounds. The Orbe is a surprising upgrade over the Gyro considering so many basic parts in common and far more comparable to Notts decks (and nicer looking). Also finding Notts dealerships in certain parts is far from easy. Alternatives are more widely available. Another alternative not mentioned is Roksan X10/20 models. A few years back there were some TMS models on Ebay at bargain prices after it was discontinued (following Touraj leaving I suppose to form Vertere). These could be a good used buy unlike the bendy plinth original Xerxes. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 2, 2018 15:52:59 GMT
Just get a bloody SPACEDECK, it's effin' brilliant and even in cheapest form, it gets more music off a record groove than so many others. Too fugly for many though, so the sheeple buy Rega RP8 instead or take their lives in their hands with a Funk thingy... Pro-ject don't really come into it at this level, - and neither does the Gyrodeck either - the Spacedeck sees that off handsomely I remember... Apparently the TT1 is sonically as good as the Dais. The thing with many of the Fletcher/Notts decks is that they are plain fugly and look DIY to me, I’d end up having the whole thing refinished. The AW decks are also much newer. I will likely just wait until a bargain one comes up. Admittedly they are limited in number but they are also limited in appeal because nobody knows what they are. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 2, 2018 15:56:07 GMT
Just get a bloody SPACEDECK, it's effin' brilliant and even in cheapest form, it gets more music off a record groove than so many others. Too fugly for many though, so the sheeple buy Rega RP8 instead or take their lives in their hands with a Funk thingy... Pro-ject don't really come into it at this level, - and neither does the Gyrodeck either - the Spacedeck sees that off handsomely I remember... Spacedeck looks a snip compared with Analogue Works. I really have never got to compare with a Gyro side by side but once at Scalford there was a Hyperspace and Orbe in adjacent rooms making equally enjoyable sounds. The Orbe is a surprising upgrade over the Gyro considering so many basic parts in common and far more comparable to Notts decks (and nicer looking). Also finding Notts dealerships in certain parts is far from easy. Alternatives are more widely available. Another alternative not mentioned is Roksan X10/20 models. A few years back there were some TMS models on Ebay at bargain prices after it was discontinued (following Touraj leaving I suppose to form Vertere). These could be a good used buy unlike the bendy plinth original Xerxes. Still kicking myself for not buying the TMS that Simon at Stockton had for £1200 (iirc). Also for not even listening to the Orbe when I owned it. I just knew I couldn’t live with the looks long term and kinda hoped by not listening, I wouldn’t create a dilemma for myself. Of course, I’m now curious as to what I missed! |
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