[tipatina]

Hello, I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a reasonably priced WTL table. I am a little nervous doing so as the setup seems so different from any table I have had. In the case of a used table I would not have the benefit of a dealer to help me with initial setup. Any insight/experience would be appreciated. I have a Grado Ref Sonata on my present table that is in good condition, any experience with this cartridge on these tables? Thanks

[roscoeiii]

In many ways, setup is easier on these tables than most. I recall the manual being quite clear on that and there are lots of set-up tips on WTA threads here on AC. And many owners who are happy to help with that.

Great tables!

[doak]

Hey Tipatina (sic)

If you are in the New Orleans area I can lend a hand.

Doak

[tricka]

Hi Tipatina
I owned a Simplex last year, and thought it was/ think is the best bang for buck table out there bar none. It sounds so musical, can take ALOT of cart and is really easy to set up. The manual pretty much is an "ABC". You can play with how much silicone dampening you use - that depends mainly on the cart you have, but the consensus seems to be (and my own experience was) too much dampening is a bad thing: ie golf ball no more than a 1/4 to 1/3 submerged.

IME it did benefit markedly from good isolation eg a good isolation platform like a Ginko. And you have to be careful of the phono cables you use. The A23 mat is a must.

Top of my list will be a WTL table - either a second hand Simplex or preferably a GTA/ Versalex. Whatever comes up first. The latter two are no doubt better (although I haven't heard them side by side with the same system) but I did hear an Amadues and the Simplex side by side with exactly the same cart (an XX2) through the same system, and I wouldn't want to bet which was "better". They both sounded great.

The only downside of the Simplex is that it looks fairly DIY, and if you are into bling or bragging rights, it will disappoint. Sound wise, I prefered it over any sensibly priced table I heard up - although a well set up Notts or LP 12 would give it a run (at much greater cost).

If I were you I would buy a second hand GTA off Audiogon and start where you mean to finish. For $2500 or so secondhand, they are exceptional buying.


Cheers

[tipatina]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I am still thinking and considering a new Amadeus from a dealer. Doak, I thank you for letting me know I have been misspelling "tipitina" all these years (went to LSU so spellin' ain't dat good) Am in NOLA frequently, maybe we can exchange contact info through pm. Will post some followup as things evolve.

[doak]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I am still thinking and considering a new Amadeus from a dealer. Doak, I thank you for letting me know I have been misspelling "tipitina" all these years (went to LSU so spellin' ain't dat good) Am in NOLA frequently, maybe we can exchange contact info through pm. Will post some followup as things evolve.

You are quite welcome Tip. 

Let me know when you'll be in the vicinity.

Yep, I went to LSU for my fist semester, then transferred to UNO and realized I was already a year behind ,,,,, but no doubt that's all changed by now.   

Doak

[tipatina]

Thanks to everyone for responding. Ordered a new WTA today from my closest dealer after an informative demo in their listening room. Because I am  couple of hours away from them I will receive the table boxed so they went over the setup details with me and agreed to be available for telephone consultation. It does seem simpler having actually seen it.

[Charisma12]

Welcome to the Well Tempered Lab family Tipatina !

[doak]

Great going Tip. 

Enjoy!

[tipatina]

My table should arrive soon, meanwhile I have been reading over the online manual in anticipation and have a question regarding the azimuth collar. The manual states to loop the thread 1 1/2 turns around the collar. My question is how do you do this if both ends are already affixed to the golfball. Also one of the guys at the dealer told me to just drape it over the top rather than the 1 1/2 turns. Any ideas/experience?

[mick wolfe]

I believe the "correct" 1.5 twist creates a modest anti-skate effect. Not saying his method doesn't have merit, but have never heard anyone here mention this.

[Erocka2000]

I just took a look at the manual and I believe you're only supposed to use a 1/2 twist for the anti-skate. It's 1.5 times around the collar before applying the twist. Then slide on to the pillar.

[tipatina]

Yes, my question may not have been clear. How do you to the 1/1/2 turns around the collar itself with both ends of the string already attached to the ball?

[rob400]

Surely it's looped around the spindle rather than a twist?? The 90 degree (half twist) for azimuth is spot on and covered thoroughly in another thread.

[Erocka2000]

Yes, my question may not have been clear. How do you to the 1/1/2 turns around the collar itself with both ends of the string already attached to the ball?

The thread connected to the golf ball is long enough.  You place the hoop over the collar, as if to hang the entire arm from it.  Then, with the extra slack, loop the thread once around the entire collar, so as to "lock it" on the collar.  Then, when placing the collar on to the pillar, rotate it 180 degrees and it'll give you the proper anti-skate.

[tipatina]

Thanks, that was sort of how I envisioned it.

[tipatina]

I am finally all set up. My table arrived earlier in the week and Saturday AM, I spent most of the day putting it together. Have listened several hours since and the sound is very detailed. The table replaces an Artisan Fidelity Thorens 160 rebuild that had an Origin Live Zephyr arm. The rest of my system is: Grado-Reference Sonata Cartridge, Van Alstine T8+ with built in phono, Bryston 4B SST, Vandersteen 3A Sig speakers, Cambridge 840CD, Pioneer Elite DV79 (in audio only mode for SACD playback), Meridian Explorer DAC for internet radio.
Listened to (among others): Alfred Brendel Mozart Piano Concertos, Chet Baker- She Was Too Good to Me , Brubeck-West Side Story, Notting Hillbillies, Modern Jazz Quartet, Dukes of Dixieland (Vol 6)-Mardi Gras Time with…
Everything is sounding great. The strengths are 1) solo piano, 2)the separation of the various instruments-especially on The Dukes of Dixieland.
My table is the MarkII version. Thanks to everyone who patiently answered my questions, especially Doak, Mick, Mike Pranka, and my dealer-Audio Alternative, Atlanta.

[tipatina]

Also thanks to Rob400 and Charisma12 ...

[roscoeiii]

Great looking set-up you have there.