Calling all Townshend (Elite) Rock Users!

Posted by: Jon Moxon on 29 October 2002

If there are any!

I’m currently trying to pour some TLC on my old Elite Rock MkII turntable, purchased in 1987 when I was a sixth former with three post-dated cheques against my Saturday job earnings. It followed me from Brum to Lancaster Uni and back, and back again several times, and then out here to Japan, so it kind of has sentimental value.

Three years or so ago it acquired an RB300, later OL modded, and an OL DC motor. Since the kids were born and learned to jump around (and alarmingly close to the stereo), it hasn’t been used until now it finds its way into my office, where it was looking a bit forlorn, and I’m trying to restore it. It’s now in pieces.

Questions (in no particular order):

1. I never figured out how to level it, and the instructions – such as they were – are long gone. Any ideas how?
2. There was a ring of plastic directly under the sub platter, around the bearing. This has come off. What purpose did it serve, and would I be better off gluing it back on?
3. I don’t know whether it took a knock between here and Heathrow, but the rear right hand corner of the arm mount is fractionally lower than others. I’ve been using a washer under that corner of the board to bring it back level, but anyone have any better ideas?
4. The trough never really convinced, so I may dispense with it altogether. Any opinions?
5. I’m out of bearing oil, and if you ask Max T for any you’ll wait forever for any to arrive. Any alternatives?
6. Does anyone have the distance from centre of main bearing to arm bearing for an RB300?
7. Anyone know of a cartridge protractor more accurate than the print outable thing at Enjoythemusic.com?
8. For the motor PS, I have the rectifier/circuit/switch in one box and the toroid in a second. Can anyone advise a more ‘noise-free’ configuration?

We may be moving to a more hifi-friendly house soon, so I’d like to get it sorted for a beautiful homecoming.

Many thanks

Jon
Posted on: 30 October 2002 by Rockingdoc
I have the same turntable and arm with the same mods.
The plastic ring is meant to sit on top of the platter, to allow the record clamp to bow the record to reduce warps. It doesn't need to be glued.
Leveling is best done by altering the support, but pennies under the feet works.
I have approached the arm board adjustment in the same way as you.
I managed to get some bearing oil, trough damping fluid, and a belt from Mad Max two years ago, but now he is not reurning my calls. The only way seems to be to keep ringing until you can speak to him in person. If you are using the Origin Live pulley, I have found that cut down LP12 belts work well.
I stuffed all the OL electronics in the plinth (except the transformer, of course)
Rega can advise on measurements for the arm. I use the Russ Andrews protractor.

Good luck.
malcolm
Posted on: 30 October 2002 by Jon Moxon
Malcom, thanks for the reply.

>The plastic ring is meant to sit on top of the platter, to allow the record clamp to bow the record to reduce warps. It doesn't need to be glued.

I know what you're talking about: that was originally stuck on too. If you look under the subplatter, you'll see a thin disc of black plastic about an inch and a half in diameter surrounding the bearing aperture. This is what's come off.

>Leveling is best done by altering the support, but pennies under the feet works.

I think th efeet are actually adjustable, but I don't know how. If you look under the platter, you'll see two bolts. I7ve tried loosening these and rotating the feet (they won't budge), and tightening the bolts against the plinth to bring the deck down. Neither work, but the deck was supplied with a spanner that fits them, and I'm sure there must be a way.

>I have approached the arm board adjustment in the same way as you.
Wierd you have the same problem: the pressing/casting must have been wrong.

>I managed to get some bearing oil, trough damping fluid, and a belt from Mad Max two years ago, but now he is not reurning my calls. The only way seems to be to keep ringing until you can speak to him in person.

Sounds like　my expereiences with MT.

>If you are using the Origin Live pulley, I have found that cut down LP12 belts work well.

Thanks for the tip. Will call Linn Japan tomorrow and see how many millions of yen they want for one. Could certainly use replacing.

>I stuffed all the OL electronics in the plinth (except the transformer, of course)

A tight fit.

>Rega can advise on measurements for the arm.

Mkaes sense.

>I use the Russ Andrews protractor.

Will look this out.

Thanks again.

Jon
Posted on: 30 October 2002 by quickie
Arm centre to bearing is approx 222mm

Cheers,
Paul.
Posted on: 30 October 2002 by Rockingdoc
I have never had a plastic ring under the sub-platter. The clearance between the sub and plinth is only a few mm.
Posted on: 30 October 2002 by Jon Moxon
Paul

>Arm centre to bearing is approx 222mm

Thanks for that.

Malcolm

>I have never had a plastic ring under the sub-platter. The clearance between the sub and plinth is only a few mm.

Fair enough. Don't think I'll bother with it as I can't see what purpose it serves.

Put the motor back on this afternoon. Screws joining the motor to the mounting plate were very loose and the motor wobbled all over the place. Something you might want to check.

Cheers

Jon