Thekong, Sp38s on eBay makes a high-quality stainless steel platter for SP-10 MkII. Alternatively, I find that the 15 lb. 1.5" tall lead/delrin/cork platter from my early VPI TNT drops right inside the lip of the stock SP-10 platter. A layer of ERS cloth could be sandwiched between the two platters as a shield, with the possible added advantage of dampening at the interface. A spindle extension could be easily fabricated.

Jim Howard at Applied Fidelity does the sapphire bearing modification. This also entails enlarging the spindle diameter.

Have you opened up the motor housing as yet to inspect the thrust cap? Of the two MkII motors that I have, one thrust cap is worn through entirely. The other evidences minimal wear. My guess is that durability of the trust pad was a function of proper re-lubrication through decades of use. Does Richard Krebs provide a fresh thrust cap?

Lew, apologies for hijacking your virtual system page.

dgarretson April 07, 2014 14:44

Thekong, I'm in the process of refurbishing and modifying an SP-10 MKII. This will eventually include a 20 lb. stainless steel platter, ruby thrust bearing, and an Albert Porter-style bearing well. FWIW I started by replacing all 31 electrolytic caps in both PS and plinth circuit boards-- tedious but relatively simple work. The strobe is now rock-solid, though I have yet to hear the TT in action. I've spoken with an "insider" modifier who believes that a heavily modified MkII can surpass a MkIII. This was at least sufficient encouragement to attempt what can be done to evolve the MkII for comparison to my L-07D.

dgarretson April 07, 2014 00:28