After a year of using PTP5, a Lenco base turntable with multilayer plinth. It's time for an upgrade and this time I'm going to go with robust looking PTP solid bearing. The bearing upgrade consists of the spindle housing, delrin thrust plate and ruby bearing and according to Peter, the original spindle shaft is worth to retain. The whole of original Lenco spindle is no slouch but it can be better.
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| image from PTP Audio |
Being working in the airlines I managed to meet the PTP designer in
person while in Amsterdam. We set an appointment for bearing delivery
and I've bought 2 set for a friend as well. The feel in the hand is very
good, heavy, solid and I know it can do good in my ptp5 turntable.
To install this bearing is pretty easy, all I need is just to dismantle
the spindle top plate, remove the original spindle shaft. Pour some oil
into new bearing housing, drop in the ruby bearing and insert the
spindle shaft slowly. without any force the spindle will drop down
slowly to certain point and all you need now is to push lightly until
the shaft fully set in. The tight tolerance of the spindle shaft is great with no free play. Lock/screw the spindle at the new housing and
all set to reinstall to the PTP plate.
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| Top plate dismantle |
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| New Solid Bearing installed |
From the photo above, you will know the benefit of using PTP5. The rigid, thick top plate and the isolation of motor/spindle. You can't argue on this seriously...
I let the platter spins for about 1/2 an hour before initial listening. I picked up few Lps that I familiar with and here is my finding and verdict on PTP solid bearing.
The bass region is obviously improved, the image become larger and quieter. On few tracks that I experience with sibilance or splashy cymbals, the solid bearing has improved them a lot. The image is larger but with full of information, startling!...the whole presentation is more structured and very organic. Solid bearing definitely improved on the noise floor too, the details in recording will protrude from dark background with ease.
Worth the upgrade?...YES...
Worth the upgrade?...YES...
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| Me with Peter Reinder |
Update as at 2nd April 2015:
The overall transparency has become more vivid. The bass has an authoritative commanding in music but very liquid and yet agile. Drums has bouncy feel of its skin and the cymbals sounded real, very organic. The vocals has an airy feel to it at right size in the sound staging. The ambiance detail retrieval also improved to a high level...it just there. in some good recording the musical instruments are life like and floating...it's like a 3D in presentation.
