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| from the 1960 NEAT General Catalogue via a translation app |
According to the 1960 NEAT catalogue, the P58 and P58H were the top of the line models. They sported the heaviest platters, more sophisticated grease-type bearing and massive chassis construction.
I was surprised to learn that the P58 with the induction motor, eddy current braking system + strobe was actually JPY 1000 cheaper than the P58H. These are features found in the more deluxe Garrard 401 and Thorens TD124.😊
Since the P58 and P58H share the same basic design, all servicing tips will be linked back to the P58H. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the technical difference between both models will be discussed + a reference to an earlier model.
Under the Hood Pics
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| NEAT P58H (top left) - 4 speed, no eddy current brake, hence no speed adjustment + grease bearing; Lafayette PK300/NEAT TP50 (top right) - 3 speed, eddy current brake + strobe similar in configuration to the P58 but with a simpler oil bearing; NEAT P58 (bottom) - 4 speed, eddy current brake + strobe and grease bearing |
This picture illustrates the difference between the P58H and P58 as well as how the Lafayette PK300/NEAT TP50 evolved to the NEAT P58 aka Lafayette PK400 (see below).
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| Parts of the eddy current brake system |
Eddy current brake in action - watch the magnet move across the spinning aluminum disc while the speed adjust knob is turned. The Garrard 301/401 and Thorens TD124/II use the same principle, albeit with higher quality machining and execution.
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| NEAT P58 strobe light @ 33.3 rpm |
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| The PK300 and P58 share the same 4 pole single phase induction motor. Servicing this motor is exactly the same procedure as the 4 pole hysteresis type fitted to the NEAT P58H. |
Lafayette PK400
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| See page 10 of the 1958 Lafayette Radio Sale Flyer It's intriguing to note that the PK400, which is obviously a rebadged NEAT P58, was never featured in any of the annual Lafayette Radio catalogs of that period and was only advertised in a 1958 sales flyer. |
The NEAT company is just as mysterious. After publishing a comprehensive catalog of phono cartridges, tonearms and turntables in 1960 and becoming an OEM supplier to brands like Argonne, Channel Master, Lafayette, etc. the company just vanished into thin air. So far, searching Japanese audio blogs and websites have yielded no answers regarding the company's fate.😔
FAQs
Lubricants
I've been a Phil Wood grease user ever since I embarked on my Raleigh Twenty folding bike resto-mod project. Later, I discovered that Chris Harban of Woodsong Audio has been recommending this for the grease bearing Garrard 301.
Mobil DTE 25 hydraulic oil for motor and oil bearing re-lube - very slick!
Prior to finding the Mobil DTE 25 on eBay, "Blue" 3-in-one oil was my go-to oil for motor and main bearing re-lube.
Idler Wheel Rejuvenation
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| Realistic Mark 7 idler wheel |
CAUTION: Prior to soaking, apply a tiny amount of brake fluid on the rubber surface closest to the metal and carefully observe the reaction after 30 minutes. If the rubber starts to show signs of disintegration, DO NOT PROCEED and clean off all residue!
Simple Tips to Minimize Noise and Vibration
Make sure the bottom part of the idler wheel doesn't rub the shoulder of the stepped pulley at any speed setting. As pictured, I leave a ~ 1.5mm clearance while maintaining sufficient surface contact area between the rubber idler and the pulley.
If you remove the main bearing on any of these Japanese idler units for cleaning, make sure that it is perfectly centered and seated on the main chassis upon reassembly. Otherwise, this can cause unwanted vibrations.
RPM App Test
I pulled out the NEAT P58H from storage and casually measured it along with the Thorens TD124 and Garrard 401 using the popular RPM app. The British and Swiss classics came ahead (by a fraction of a %) of the Japanese idler driven turntables in wow & flutter test results. But like amplifier THD + N specs, frequency response bandwidth, square waves and etc., these are all just static measurements with no direct correlation to the dynamic nature and complex harmonies embedded in a musical score.
Since these tests can't be translated in real life to quantify the enjoyment of reproduced music, I rely on my classical music background, which taught me to keep listening to music - all types of music, preferably acoustic and live - to continue honing my ears. Anyone can do that, too, including audio enthusiasts who pursue hi-fi for the love of music.
These are the past turntable models covered in this series:
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Pioneer PL6U |
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Lafayette PK300 |
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Realistic Mark 8 |
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Kenwood PC350 |
I embarked on this project not to rank each model sonically. My main goal was to restore them to function as quietly as possible in stock condition. In the process I learned about the uniqueness - virtues and vices - of each design. As it progressed, it turned out to be a challenging but worthwhile task.
I may have said this in the past and will reiterate that IMHO, none of these models are capable of subjectively surpassing the musical performance of a Garrard 301, 401 or the Thorens TD124. But for a fraction of the price of the aforementioned classics, these idler-driven models portray a smaller window of that sonic aesthetic many music lovers and hi-fi enthusiasts have been clamoring for since the 90s in the west and further back to the 70s in Japan.
Saw away! 😊
Meanwhile, I'm reliving my youth listening to yacht rock!🍻
