Turntable build or not?

machone

Back in the 70's I bought a SME 3012 tonearm for $50. Now it is worth over a thousand. For years I had it mounted to a piece of plywood with a Connoisseur BD1 turntable kit. I don't know what happened to the turntable.

Now I am considering building another turntable from scratch but it will be expensive and I may be better off selling the SME tonearm and buying a decent turntable. Only thing is I really want to build this turntable.

It is a knock off of the Audiomeca Belladonna and will accept the SME 3012. It will use an ac sync motor with a Phoenix Falcon/Roadrunner controller. I have it modeled in SolidWorks ready to build. Once completed including the stand it will weigh in at over 250 pounds.

The SME needs to be reworked/rewired and I can get that done by smetonearms.com for $350.
The motor/controller/tach can be had for around $700.

Over a thousand and I have not put one part on the lathe or mill.

Once again to build or not to build?

Please talk me out of this

mrbiron

You're on the wrong forum for reasoning.
Build the damn thing and stop whining

drumminman

I had an SME that I bought around the same time, mounted to a Technics 1200. Loved that combo, but I got divorced from it.
I agree with MB - do it!

PS: I then bought an Infinity Black Widow that I really liked, which sits in storage today.

warren

If you don't, you'll be sorry down the road..

SCompRacer

machone wrote: »

It will use an ac sync motor with a Phoenix Falcon/Roadrunner controller.
Once again to build or not to build?

Please talk me out of this

I built a heavy plinth Lenco idler drive with linear air bearing arm. I'd have to spend an insane amount of retail money to best it. I say go for it... I have a Lenco PTP5 started.

I was a beta tester for the 25 watt version of the Phoenix Engineering Eagle power supply. I also use the RoadRunner tach to control speed. You can spend more on a TT speed control but it doesn't guarantee better. Good info in his thread at diyaudio.

Automotive clear coat finish, Cadillac Black.



Got tired of the all black, did a maple wrap with walnut corner accents.

machone

That's what I figured. Down the rabbit hole I go.

dromunds

Somewhere around that time I had an SME 3009 with a Denon DP-75 platter. Man, I liked that set-up and it looked great. I've been told the newer SME arms are much improved but not sure about that. There is a classic beauty in the vintage arms

machone

The new SME arms also have an improved price

SCompRacer

Arms can be high performers and be artsy at the same time. I regret selling my 12" Moerch DP6. It was available in black, chrome or gold plate. You could buy different weight arms to match any cartridge compliance.

machone

I met with the machine shop and they will do the work for their material cost only. I plan to submit the shop drawings for quotation and decide which direction to go.

Dawgfish

Awesome! Can't wait to hear how it comes out!

machone

Ok, after much research I am not building my own turntable.

machone

Instead, I bought a Pioneer PLX-1000. Mounted a Shure SC35C cartidge/N35X stylus.



It's nice to listen the a good analog source for a change.