LP12 - Bottom on or off?????

Nobody wants to commit...ehh John? ;-)

I believe the (forum) consensus is it depends on the support. Personally, I've only tried a "bottomless" LP-12 on Mana (and only at phase 2 or "referenced") and a Sound Org. stand--both cases showed slight improvements.

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If the bottom off is better isn't it strange that they would design the TT with it on?

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Not really, government safety regs probably mandate the supplied baseboard (400 volts on a live Valhalla board I believe).

Don't sweat the decision if it's that close...leave it bottomless for several days and then re-apply the baseboard. You'll probably make an immediate decision before you've had time to analyze the difference.

good luck,

dave

[This message was edited by dave simpson on TUESDAY 07 October 2003 at 03:57.]

Is it easy to take the bottom off? I have a set of the little feet, but never got around to doing it, and haven't seen a walkthrough on the web.

Yes it's easy. Just hang it over the edge of a table or ironing board so you can get underneath.

Regards
Steve

Make sure you support the feet if you take the board off. The board partially supports the feet. Some rubber washers should do the trick.

b

I prefer the silicone damped baseboard to no baseboard. At least I did at the time it was fitted. The only parts of my system that remain unaltered or modified are my Kans, stands and Audiotech turntable-table.

Mine however, was fitted without the rubber or foam strips that apparently come with it because my dealer said it sounds better that way. It was certainly well worth the ~£60 it cost me at the time.

[All LP12s made in the last ~decade should have this baseboard as standard].

--J

I prefer listen with my bottom off.

I have tried the hardboard one, the plastic one, and non, I find that there is a better bass tune with it off.

DS

ITC - Captain Comatose - Captain Comatose

I think the music breathes better with the bottom off. With the base plate on it all becomes too tight and too politically correct. Have to admit that 'bottoms off' works better with ARO + Armageddon than with Linn (Akito II). Don't know about Valhalla or Lingo.

The Trampolin bottom plate is a mistake and a waste of money if you ask me.

My player sits on 4 tiny rubber 3M feet that John Watson sent me once, but you can also buy them at the DIY. This arrangement sounded already very well on the Target wallbracket and does sound really excellent on the Mana Reference Table.

willem

After removing the bottom I readjusted my setup again. I suspect my XX2 is tracking better with the bottom off as it is tracking at about 1.8 grams vs 2.0 grams with the bottom on.

Willem: are you sure about the 3M feet? My LP12 sits on a Mana 2 tier with my 52. The feet on my LP12 are similar to the rest of my equipment. I thought the 3M feet were for feet similar to the Naim CDPs that don't couple the stand.

Also any other tweaks to consider with my LP12/ARO/Armegeddon/XX2/Prefix?

John

John,

Contact JW at Mana (the 3M feet are not similar to any Naim-sourced feet). There should be plenty of 3M feet in stock at the Mana warehouse (enough to outfit exactly 750 LP-12s...about two years ago anyway ;-).

regards,

dave

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Originally posted by John:
Willem: are you sure about the 3M feet? John

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Yes, very sure. A friend of mine heard what they did for my player and just bought them in a shop.

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Originally posted by John:
I have read a few post around the internet that claim the LP12 sounds better with the bottom off.

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The LP12 sounds better with the POWER off

Just kidding - well, if someone will say get a CDS11 or 3 then I can say that can't I?

Seriously though, how big a difference IS there? Just curious? I'd have thought the stand would have made more difference? What about that Torlyte base Russ Andrews does?

Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.

Off.