AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Well Tempered Lab => Topic started by: Spin Lps on 1 May 2017, 01:54 am

Title: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: Spin Lps on 1 May 2017, 01:54 am
Greetings everyone.  This is my first post on audiocircle. Has anyone compared WTRP to the Simplex? If so, what are the differences. I have an older WTRP and wondering if this is just a lateral move to a Simplex. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Title: Re: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: /mp on 8 May 2017, 09:07 pm
Welcome to Well Tempered on Audiocircle. For what it's worth, I have an original Well Tempered Turntable & Tonearm but never heard the newer models. Therefore have no informed opinion.

Welcome again,
/mp
mark
Title: Re: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: Spin Lps on 9 May 2017, 04:45 pm
Thanks, Mark!
Could you please share what cartridge and phono preamp you are using? Also, if you have used different cartridges on your WTRP, can you please share your experience. Thank you.
Title: Re: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: /mp on 14 May 2017, 08:26 pm
My setup is pretty stable. Haven't changed anything more than digital & worn cartridges and vacuum tubes in decades. Fortunately, b/c I haven't seen the alignment protractor in years. Didn't knowingly throw it out. Just forgot where I secured it. A Van den Hul Grasshopper is mounted currently. Before that several VdH MC-One Specials, several Denon 103D, a Grado 8MZ, some inexpensive Grados, & a Monster Alpha. Left out a few short lived ones. Preamp is a Classe DR-6.

I started with F & G series Grados in an early Rega Planer 2, then a Grace F9E, then Denon DL103D. Preamp was NAD3020 then conrad jonson PV1. Rega promoted to WTT&A & preamp promoted to Classe DR-6 ~25 years ago. Cartridge impression is quality maps well to price. Different cartridges, even two of same model sound different. Personal preferences vary but Grace F9E was clearly much better than F & G series Grados; 103Ds a big step up from F9E & VdH a big step up from Denon.

Hope this helps,
[edited for content]
Title: Re: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: Gregv on 14 Jul 2018, 07:07 pm
This is my WT "Complex" - a Simplex plinth that I won off eBay and heavily modded. I designed and built the arm and support structure. I removed the Simplex bearing, since I couldn't get a replacement Simplex platter and spindle, choosing to use a WTRP platter, spindle and bearing instead (I got all 3 for just $102 used). I built the lower base to give me the height for the WTRP bearing and aid in greater isolation. I relocated the squash ball feet to the bottom base. I even had an old "Non Mat" from my early WT acrylic platter days that helps fill in the dish of the acrylic platter. A friend 3D printed some of the parts for me from my designs. A new arm rest is in the works as I type.

I hope it's okay to mention the acrylic cover: Better Display Cases www.betterdisplaycases.com carries this 15" x 15" x 6" cover in stock as a regular item (I don't think they do custom sizes at present). It fits the Simplex perfectly. https://www.betterdisplaycases.com/products/acrylic-deluxe-clear-display-case-medium-rectangle-box-15-x-15-x-6 The cover is very well made and was thoughtfully packed for shipment. I am not affiliated with Better Display Cases in any way, just a happy customer - they are a veteran owned and operated business and were terrific to deal with.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=182464)
Title: Re: WTRP vs Simplex
Post by: wsill on 9 Jul 2019, 09:38 pm
Wow, I love that cover. Like it on my Amadeus.