I finally have the 254 GT in house! Mike Pranka received his shipment this summer, but because of my back surgery I needed to wait until recently to take delivery.
Set up was straightforward. The plinth is two pieces: a base plate that rests on 4 sorbothane feet, 4 squash balls support the top plate, add platter, tone arm, cart, and you are done. Cart installation is stupidly easy with Well Tempered products. Just screw it into place and it's finished. The details of stylus rake, pivot centering, depth of golf ball into the goo remain, tho.
The VTF gauge provided is a balance which precludes hitting a precise tracking force. I have a digital gauge on order and it will arrive this week. Tonearm set up will be tweaked as needed.
Initial impression: My WTA was a quiet 'table, but the 254 GT is significantly quieter. Better bass. The WTA could be slightly raw at times and this has vanished.
The electronic speed control box is a godsend. Speed fine tuning is easily attained by turning a knob. No more blind fumbling with a small screwdriver in a hole on the back of the deck as with the WTA. Very nice.
And, a spool of thread included that Mike says is different than what was recommended earlier.
Here are some unboxing fotos:
And a special shout out to Charlie at Stereo Haven in Illinois for all his help and patience in answering all my questions prior to the sale. In addition to Well Tempered tables he also sells Brinkmann which I was also contemplating. After listening to how I described my ideal sound profile, he steered me back to the 254 GT. And I am grateful he did.
More later after fine tuning.
