Topic: Nottingham Interspace Jr.

[nickgregory]

Anyone have any experience with Notthingham tables?  I am considering replacing my Rega P3-24 with the Nottingham unit.  Intent would be to use my Benz Micro gold cart on the Nottingham if I did it. 

Would appreciate any thoughts.

[mfrench]

I don't have anything for you, other than perhaps some offsite reading at audiokarm. Maybe something in those threads?
good luck, Nick.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/search.php?searchid=19567254

[raymonda]

Go for it. If you're not happy you can always go back....or in another direction, too. I have no personal experience with them but I've have only heard extremely positive things about them. On paper you should be moving in the right direction. In the end it is all about the fun we have recreating music in or homes and this is part of the experience and ultimately the fun.

Report back after you've taken it for a spin.

If you keep the Rega tweak it out with what Tangospinner has to offer. I'm curious about his products, which look real nice and affordable. I can live my analog dream vicariously through you.

[nickgregory]

finally got the nott table and just got it setup.  Will post listening thoughts after I have a few hours under my belt.  Initial thoughts...the table is heavy...30 lbs (well not as heavy as Moke's tables, but still heavy for me)....the tonearm still scares me a little, but I am sure that will wear off...the lack of a finger lift is going to take some getting used to and starting it by spinning it (no on off switch) is interesting in its own right...more thoughts to come...pics below.

[mfrench]

congrats, Nick.
Are those rubber damping bands around the platter in multiple positions?

No on/off switch?
How does it stop?

[nickgregory]

yeah there are two of them.  platter is apparently a combination of metal and other material to make it dense. 

[nickgregory]

notts designer always thought that the startup of the motor created more resonance in the table than was necessary and was detrimental to the sound.  so it is a low torque motor that is always running.  You stop start it by holding the platter/spinning it.  It gets up to speed quickly that way.

[mfrench]

So, the motor runs constantly?  How does it disengage from the driveline?

[nickgregory]

Not exactly sure. Basically when you slow it down it stops until you spin it again.

[mfrench]

I get the spinning to get it started part.  I have a couple of decks that will tear themselves apart with torque if i don't get the platter spinning, if the motor is running when I disengage, and then reengage with a stopped platter. They're a bit like a clutch/manual tranny system; if you don't get the clutch right (getting the platter spinning first), you get a nasty jump.
rambling,… I ask because I truly don't know, Nick. Thanks.

[raymonda]

You can buy an aftermarket finger lift that can be secured under the cartridge mounting bolts. Nice table enjoy. Report back after listening and getting a feel for it.

[nickgregory]

I get the spinning to get it started part.  I have a couple of decks that will tear themselves apart with torque if i don't get the platter spinning, if the motor is running when I disengage, and then reengage with a stopped platter. They're a bit like a clutch/manual tranny system; if you don't get the clutch right (getting the platter spinning first), you get a nasty jump.
rambling,… I ask because I truly don't know, Nick. Thanks.

yeah it is strange...my audio guy said that it works either way...said the table is designed to stop and be spun up to start, but he leaves his on all the time.  Has had a Nott DAIS table for 8 years and it has been running constantly. 

You can buy an aftermarket finger lift that can be secured under the cartridge mounting bolts. Nice table enjoy. Report back after listening and getting a feel for it.

yeah, I saw that on the net, so may go that direction eventually.  But out of the gate I would like to try and live without it as I have to believe it could have a small effect on vibration.

[nickgregory]

so after spending some time really listening to the table, I am pretty damn happy with my purchase.  I am using the same cart I had on my rega so the difference I am hearing is definitely the table.  There are two things that stand out...the music sounds much more 3 dimensional if that makes any sense.  The bass is much more well defined and punchy and the imaging has improved drastically (and the rega wasn't bad in this regard).  The combination of this tonearm and table are fantastic. 

So without going into too much audio hyperbole...I really like this table...hearing things differently on records that I know by heart.  And the best thing is I hear it on everything...I have always heard differences in tables/cartridges on jazz and acoustic music, but rock was subtle if at all.  Not the case with this table.  Pretty impressed.  Now I need to contact my local guy who does plexiglass show boxes for stuff and get him to make me a dust cover.

[raymonda]

I.just bought a sweet cover. I'll take shot of it. I also have one of those platter tone arm covers I can sell real cheap. I can let it go for half of what I paid....around 35. I'll take a shot and you can look.

[raymonda]

Nick,

Here are the two covers. The first is the one I can let go for a good guy price of $35.00. I paid $75.00 for it just about 1.5 months ago. The second one is a full size cover but they go for around $275 to $400. I was looking for one for sometime but they always cost a bit more than I wanted to pay. I snatched this up for an incredible price but you will have to look long and hard because they don't come up very often, if at all. Your buddy, on the other hand, might be able to get you one at cost. That is a good friend to have. If not, they one I have available will get you by until find one.

Ray