I see the Aura is back on trade me.

If one of you brave guys is prepared to buy it I am prepared to carry out the restoration.

With Christmas just around the corner and a trip to Russia early next year I'm not in a position to fork out this type of money and remain married !

Any takers ?

If it sells for 1K would have to be worth restoring. I sold mine for 3.5K 3 years ago & it was worth that then

VERY tempting...

As mentioned above, you need to find out if the main bearing functions, ie. it turns & quietly.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Hits myself on the head.

I really don't need two Auras. Must resist...

Haha Citroen - wise words hit myself in the head ;-)

I think I not only need to hit myself on the head but someone else also needs to hit me on the head!

Thing is provided the motor is good speed wise & the bearing is good, both the seller claims are good the rest is cosmetics simple fix stuff to own a hi end table for maybe less that 2K sounding like a bargain to me?

You're not helping beeman!

Hi Graham - how much would you estimate for the restoration on top of purchase price?

Hard to say without partly dismantling, but I agree with Beeman's statement above.

You have a PM.

Go for it paulsaints!

Just note that the original Panasonic VCR motors (MAX-13V9L 8VDC) that Dave used are hard to source if it needs replacing.
But there are alternative motor controllers that can be used, eg Origin Live (GBP250 to 910 depending on model).

I've asked a couple of questions on Trade Me to try and get a bit more info re condition and previous history.

I know zero about these tts BUT there is clearly a "knowledge bank" here with our group. Parts may be awkward but clearly not impossible or there are other options. Knowing what to do re its re imagining is the most important thing I would think. This will be amazing when complete and Im sure its original designer would be WELL proud. All the best and Im sure we all watch with interest.

Chaps,
I haven't had a close look again at the listed pics & info but...

- Main bearing, as said, is the unique design detail that will be difficult to remedy if in any way not 100% - a tungsten carbide point with hardened thrust pad. (Dave had the points made by a company in Melbourne.)
- The intermediate flywheel (on the motor unit) is late-Aura but not the latest big/heavy flywheel. IOW this flywheel will provide additional isolation of the motor, but not the additional rotational inertia/stability of coupled additional rotating mass.
- The bottom base-plates are steel, not acrylic & look pitted, chipped, so should be stripped & re-powdercoated/painted. Plus pin-striping to match motor base-plates.
- The platter could benefit from same treatment, but it may be filled with plaster-of Paris and constrained-lywer material, so hand-re painting probably.
- Flyweights disc under platter has a rubber o-ring on its periphery, which has perished (visible).
- Suspension springs,sorbothane hemispheres, between the plates - no info on these, but Sorbothane parts are available.
- The motor, as Citroen says, is no longer available, but other motors may work, if the motor is not good.
- The motor circuit, if problematic, is likely fixable, I have a schematic. (2 x ICs used may be still available if required, not sure.)
- Plugpack missing? 16vac IIRC.
- Motor housing lid appears to be missing. Original was painted steel, with black acrylic disc under.
- Mirror, if the silvering is deteriorating, will need renewing. Plus plastic edge trim.
- Base edge trim bars (square alumin bar), at least one is missing. Plus painting.
- Platter record clamp missing.
- Drive belts (1 flat + 2 round), unclear if all of these are there.
- Arm-board mounting bolt, missing the round clamp washer. Original was chrome/gold plated steel.
- Bottom 'feet' on the TT & motor appear to be knurled adjustable wheels, not plated screw-adjustable cones & discs found on most (later) Auras.
- Platter mat

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Thanks for that info Owen.
Considering what has to be done to restore this turntable ( and possible things we don't know yet) I feel the asking price is too high.
It unfortunately has been allowed to deteriorate into a pretty bad state.
Maybe it wont sell and will be offered at a reduced price after Tuesday evening.

Wow that is a very detailed and considered reply Owen! Im sure anyone that has an eye on that will be most pleased with you time taken.

This surely has to give a potential buyer a good bit of positive help. If it was me I would be working out a very approx cost for each of Owens points so you have a loose restoration cost before you bid.

Not forgetting you will also be needing a tonearm and a cartridge....

As long as the main bearing and motor are ok, the rest is mainly cosmetic.

Yes, a lot of cosmetic work but even if you managed to throw another $1500 to $2000 at it (which I doubt you'd need) you would still end up with a very decent sounding table.

Not a biased opinion at all, of course! 😁

Someone please rescue this turntable.

Thats probably a bit light even discounting the cosmetic work isnt it ? Arm and a cart for 2k ?

I see the seller has outed himself, Chris @ Real Groovy. Maybe an opportunity for someone to go and inspect.

Ok, no bids. looks as though most thought the asking price was too high.
The earliest I can go in to Real Groovy to inspect would be Thursday.
How many of you guys were on the 'watch list' and would consider buying if the price was reduced to something more sensible?

It will depend on how long it takes for others to take note of the Real Groovey connection. If you want it Id be making contact sooner rather than later... he only has one and only requires one buyer..

Just got back from Real Groovy where Chris let me have a good look over the poor old Aura.

We lifted the platter off and inspected the top bearing which appears to be fine. Nice smooth rounded shape with no visible wear and fits nicely into the rounded socket. It even still had a thick coating of grease on it. The lower nylon or teflon bush is still nice and smooth and appears to still be a good fit on the lower shaft with its oil bath still intact.

The main vertical support column is however loose in its lower mounting allowing it to wobble about so I couldn't check for run out of the platter. We tried to tighten the lower mounting bolt without success as I think it is well secured with Loctite. It wont be a problem to sort that out though in a workshop with suitable tools.

The motor runs fine with a borrowed 12v DC wallwart and the secondary flywheel run true and silent when spun by hand.

There is only one suspension spring, although Chris is having a look around as he is sure there were more. The squash balls are history.

It appears to have been designed for a flat belt from the motor to the flywheel due to the shape of the pulleys but the belt is missing.

There are a couple of main drive belts new in a bag, with approximately 2mm cross section. However although the platter is grooved for this type of belt the flywheel seems to be designed for a flat belt.

The mirror really needs to be replace but I guess a glass company could provide that easily enough.

The adjustable acrylic armboard has glue residue on its surface so it would probably easier to have another made.

So my verdict is that it certainly is fixable with a complete strip down to repaint the black components and reassemble correctly with new parts as required.

We should be able to source some springs if necessary and squash balls are readily available.

I cheekily offered him $500 for it but for some reason he declined my generous offer.

Chris said it was previously listed on Trade Me with a reserve of $2000 but bidding stopped at $1700.

This time as you know it was listed at $1000 but no takers.

He intends to relist but I think he realises in its present state it is not as valuable as he first thought.

I'm not in a position to buy it at present due to other commitments but if someone could get it for $1000 or less IMO it would be good buying.

I am still willing to carry out a full refurbishment for a friendly Dark Lantern price. I'll even go and pick it up from Real Groovy if necessary.

Cheers

Graham

Bidding stopped at $1700 because that is 85% of reserve and someone was only trying to find out what the reserve price was.

What ball park figure do you think it would cost to fix?

Im sniffing interest from a member here....

Dec 4, 2019 15:36:16 GMT 12 Citroen said:

What ball park figure do you think it would cost to fix?

Ball park figure ( not a quote ) would be $500 -$700 to do it properly. Things to be decided would include painting or powder coating etc.

Graham, The lid to the motor housing appears to be missing in the photos, did you see any evidence that still exists?

Dec 4, 2019 16:06:03 GMT 12 andrewp said:

Im sniffing interest from a member here....

No, but Graham has just devalued my Aura by about 50%!

paulsaints get in contact with Graham before I do something rash!

Dec 4, 2019 16:29:18 GMT 12 mijoh said:

Graham, The lid to the motor housing appears to be missing in the photos, did you see any evidence that still exists?

Ah, good question. I had forgotten that here was no lid to the motor.

Some photos I've seen of Aura's don't seem to have this lid but one could be made from a circle of black acrylic.