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Mantra/RB250/Goldring - some advice needed to get back on the road

R

rtrt

pfm Member
After some turntable advice please. Apologies for the long post, I've been pondering my return for a while and decided I better just get it all out in one go, otherwise I'll never start!

Planning to run a turntable initially as a 2nd system and then if it goes well, as a dual source main system later. I have around 60-80 LPs and a smaller number of singles, so not a massive investment (yet)

Turntable is a manticore mantra with an rb250 with an m logo (moth or manticore?) and what I remembered as a goldring 1042, but the stylus is marked 10 40 so think it's the 1042 predecessor? It's been well looked after, but hardly used, so I have a few specific questions.

I guess I just need to listen as my next step, but it may be sensible to refresh the bearing oil first? It's only been used a handful of times in the last 20 years.

Any oil recommendations, I do have some old stuff in an old vial but not convinced that it'll be in good shape after 20 years?!

As i recall the stylus rode pretty low the last time i played a record, didn't hear any issues though. Maybe I could take a picture and get some advice. If it has deteriorated, am i right in hoping the cartridge would be ok and just need a stylus replacement even after all this time?

I've checked the arm for stiction or free play and I couldn't detect any problems, but then I'm not entirely sure how problems would show up?

As to the suspension I have absolutely no idea how to check that. If there are any tips, I can find some time over the long weekend to get a good look and report back.

Any answers to questions or other advice most welcome :)
 
The replacement stylus is as you stated the Goldring GS1042. It's about £185.00. Though the 1012 and 1022 styli (low/med in comparison but by no [/I]means bad) will fit. It's most likely the low riding is down to the aged rubber around the cantilever. Although if you have (or can borrow) a stylus tracking force gauge the Goldring should track at about 1.75 gms. you can check this.
Unfortunately I've no experience of fettling the Mantra as I've not used one (DIY section may help) The Rega derived arms can be tweaked and upgraded.
My own modded RB300 arm and Goldring 1042 cart are on my Xerxes 20 and I love the sound. Ideally think about getting the deck on a solid stand, betteer still wall shelf. hope some of this is helpful. ;)
 
Thanks Teejjay.

Good to know that the newer styli will fit and that i can start lower if need be.

Tbh i'm looking to spend the minimum initially, see how thing work out. I plan to take a good look at things over the long weekend.

Is it fair to say that the cartridge part is pretty robust in contrast to a stylus then?
 
I use Audio Origami bearing oil for my Manticore Mantra turntable. Wouldn't do any harm to look at guidance on how to set up Linn LP12 suspension. Also have a look around the vinyl engine forum.
 
rtrt said:
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Any oil recommendations, I do have some old stuff in an old vial but not convinced that it'll be in good shape after 20 years?!
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Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, Manticore recommends some standard gear oil for Mantra bearing - something like 75W-80 or sae 90. I will try to find out.
 
Thanks vm both.

Had a look on vinyl engine and found the manual. I think i have access to some Hypoid 80 Mineral based oil via a neighbour, so that looks like it's covered.

Appreciate the steer towards LP12 for suspension setup, as I didn't see anything about suspension setup in the manticore manual. Not looked at LP12 info yet, will do over next few days.
 
Update

Changed the oil with the recommended hypoid 80. Not sure it needed doing, but with a good cotton bud & IPA clean plus fresh oil in there ,I know it'll be fine for quite a while now.

Contacted Goldring who advised that cartridges don't typically deteriorate with age - so that was good news. Stylus is another thing again of course - i'll make up my mind there over next few weeks.

I found an alignment gauge that looks as thought it came with one of the mags and it all looked good, but I have no real experience of adjusting here, so I might just have seen what i wanted to see!

Cleaned the belt, pulley, platter and RCAs with IPA. No talc in the house so that'll have to wait, maybe forever as I'm not sure of the reaction down at the local superdrug :D

I listened to a few records as it was and it sounded pd good. Turns out the tracking force was set to 2g and bias was somewhere around .5.

I then set it to 1.7g as I think this is whats recommended - tbh I think I preferred 2g so back it went. I've not played with the bias yet.

Used my old AT ultrasonic cleaner on the stylus later, but there was an empty bottle of stylus cleaner with it, so not sure if its best used wet or dry.

I've got it on the top shelf of my old rack, but whether it's level or not will have to wait till my small spirit level arrives. Similar with any spring adjustments.

Thoroughly enjoying listening to my records again and some new (old) ones from Tony. Although compared to consecutive hours of radio paradise, getting up every 20 mins to change sides is taking some getting used to :)
 
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