Tiger Paw Tranquillity

just looking at photos of your woodsong dressed LP12 Chris and it looks absolutely beautiful!! you could say its deserved...

of late there has  been a spate of 3rd party LP12 upgrades -- which is of course very good -- and is a testament to the longevity of this turntable -- but diehards like me tend to stay 'catholic' -- though the temptation can eventually get the better of one - who knows... such is this mad game...

enjoy...

ken

ken c posted:

though the temptation can eventually get the better of one - who knows... such is this mad game..

Ken - there is only one thing to do with temptation 

Chris Dolan posted:

ken c posted:

though the temptation can eventually get the better of one - who knows... such is this mad game..

Ken - there is only one thing to do with temptation 

T is for Temptation!  

Oh dear - very naughty Debs

Stopped by Accent on Music this past weekend for David to install the Tranquility on my venerable LP 12.  Agree with the rest here.  Really nice improvement for a relatively modest cost. Recommend. 

I'm going to buck the trend I'm afraid.  I tried one on my 2 year old Klimax LP12 for a couple of weeks and was not that impressed, all I heard was a slight improvement in bass handling, that's all.

Now, maybe what it does it does best on 'less youthful' bearings;  maybe I didn't have the two parts close enough together, maybe my ears are wearing out, I don't know... but this was not a £400 value for money change (I say change, not upgrade) for me.

But I'm pleased there are folk out there who are hearing great improvements.

Roger

Some findings from my own Tranquillity installation:

You need to follow the instructions and set the gap between the plates carefully (and before re-setting the suspension which I think will be required in most cases). This calibration is essential. It will likely work straight out of the box sans calibration but having tried this, things weren't 100% OK.

The locking ring (on the lower piece) was very tight initially and took a fair bit of effort to release. Once it released, mine freed up quite well and was easy to adjust.

Once you get it calibrated, with the suspension adjusted to accommodate, IMV it's very good - the improvements in clarity & overall detailing are impressive.

Second that. I'm using my LP12 a lot more since, the only downside is that my Kandid will need replacing sooner! The plastic collar which fits over the bearing housing can be a tight fit such are the tolerances. Roger at Tigerpaw was kind enough to send a replacement and all is fine. Obviously if you're not used to working your way around an LP12 and don't have the tools or know how best leave fitting to a dealer and do as part of a service.

I must be one of the lucky few as my suspension doesn't seem to be in any need of adjustment. Maybe because I only recently had a Booplinth fitted so it's all quite fresh anyway. I've done quite a few upgrades recently fairly close together but the Tranquility stands out as one of the most striking. On a par with putting Supercap DR on the Superline and at much lower cost. Still very impressed with this Tiger Paw upgrade.

^^^-Exactly!

Yeah, thanks for that Varyat. 

With Tranquility I think the question is not if, but when. The answer imho is that you need a cirkus and probably Lingo (or equivalent)

Any more views on the tranquility? Currently thinking about it.

Gary

fathings cat posted:

Any more views on the tranquility? Currently thinking about it.

Gary

Don't hesitate.  Worth every penny and easily removable if you don't like it.

Gary - IMV it's a no-brainer.

While you can DIY fit, I would get a dealer to do it, as getting it optimally set up (gap between the Tranquillity plates + LP12 suspension adjustment - latter more than likely IMV), isn't straightforward e.g. more weight is taken via the suspension and it's likely a suspension/platter ride height adjustment will be required. 

On the latter aspect, one must be mindful that the suspension on many LP12's isn't 'level' when unloaded, due to the uneven spring loads. 

I understand Tiger Paw are producing a video to assist with fitting. It isn't clear to me if this will also show how to adjust the suspension and set-up.

Thanks all, one for the list then! 

Gary

If one has the Valhalla and Cirkus, what do you address next, power supply or Tranquility? Thanks.

Do the deck first, no question. Maybe Keel first if you don't have it. Then power. Radikal if you can but Valhalla to Lingo is a major upgrade if Radikal is too much in one go.

Tranquility is nice, but its icing on the cake in comparison.

It all depends on how much you listen to LP.  If that's your preferred source you will really enjoy upgrading your LP12. Its taken me nigh on 20 years bit by bit, starting from a Valhalla with a K9 moving magnet cart on an Ittok. My deck was lovely from the start, and I bet yours is too, and each improvement has been fun, and worthwhile.

Christopher_M posted:

If one has the Valhalla and Cirkus, what do you address next, power supply or Tranquility? Thanks.

If you are considering a Radikal and don't like the cost of new units, I'd recommend you give Peter Swain a call at Cymbiosis. He often has pre-owned Akurate units which users have traded in to upgrade to the Klimax version (same electronics, different case). It's a super upgrade and a massive improvement over the Lingo.

Christopher_M posted:

If one has the Valhalla and Cirkus, what do you address next, power supply or Tranquility? Thanks.

Christopher, someone whose opinion I trust implicitly previously said on this thread

Chris Dolan posted:

With Tranquility I think the question is not if, but when. The answer imho is that you need a cirkus and probably Lingo (or equivalent)

 I have to say that I agree 

Mr Click, Clive B and Chris Dolan, thanks for replies. Duly noted. I should perhaps have added that the Armageddon is the limit of my psu ambitions. That and a Tranquility, hopefully very nice.