Its performance exceeded my expectations! So instead of relegating it exclusively for mono hifi playback duties, I also enjoy using it fitted with high quality tonearms like the Audio-Technica AT1501-II, Denon DA305, Grace G540L, Fidelity Research FR54 and others for stereo LPs.
I got this NEAT P58H + Tokyo Sound ST900 tonearm when Tish and I returned to the States in 2016. It wasn't as well kept as the MO-19 and required a bit more fettling.
The turntable is built on a heavy duty cast chassis with a 1.5 kg cast aluminum platter. Aside from a few discussions in audio forums, the only literature I've found about this particular model is the 1960 NEAT catalog available for download at vinylengine.com.
Everything I've done to my NEAT P58H and Shield MO-19 is documented below.
Idler wheel + idler arm
The rubber on this NEAT P58H idler wheel was in good condition except for a pinch, which couldn't be removed by minor grinding. So I sent it to Terry E. Witt for new rubber.
Terry of Terry's Rubber Rollers did a great job rejuvenating the P58H idler wheel (above left) + another wheel for my ROK L34 Rondine Jr.
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| Idler wheel installation sequence |
The idler wheel should spin freely and quietly after a drop or two of blue 3-In-One SAE 20 motor oil.
Idler arm reassembly sequence
The idler wheel arm action should be snappy. If it isn't, back off the nut a bit and/or add a bit of light oil to the sliding surfaces.
A good balance between speed accuracy, torque, and low noise can be achieved by adjusting the idler wheel contact pressure to the inner rim of the platter.
While the turntable is disconnected from the AC source and the speed selector set at 33 rpm, I set a 1-1.5mm clearance so that the idler wheel doesn't touch the shoulder of the 45 rpm step.
Speed Selector Mechanism
With the speed selector at the 78 rpm setting, make sure there's no clearance between the tip of the set screw and the piston which raises and lowers the idler wheel arm mechanism.
Before we move on, how about a track from Style Council?
Motor
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The turntable is powered by a fairly substantial 4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor.
It's not as hefty as American-made Ashlands and Bodines, but bigger than the TD124's E50 and comparable to those fitted to the Garrard 301, 401, and the ROK B12GH's Papst Aussenläufer.
Through the years I've gotten requests for a schematic because some of these turntables were hastily pulled out of installations by flippers for quick bucks on eBay.
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| Top view of the motor + sub-chassis |
The deteriorated bottom rubber mounts (red arrows) can be replaced with rubber grommets.
To remove the motor, unsolder the motor wires from their respective connections. Use my hand drawn schematic above as a guide. Then, remove the four nuts marked with blue arrows.
Before pulling out the motor entirely, I marked its orientation (black arrows) in the sub-chassis for easier reassembly.
Motor parts ID
The top and bottom shells house the sintered bearing well and are almost identical in construction except for an exit hole on top for the motor spindle. I marked the partially visible sintered bearings (or bushings) with blue arrows. To access the bearings for cleaning, remove the spring clips marked with green arrows.
To access the motor bearing, remove the bottom cover, which is held by three small screws + lock washers. Be careful not to lose the tiny 3mm ball bearing. Clean all the components with either Naphtha or IPA. The numbers indicate the sequence for reassembly.
The motor should now be whisper quiet in operation.
Let's take a break and hear a tune from Sinatra at the Sands LP.
Main Bearing
These are the main bearing components after cleaning (soaked in solvent overnight). They're ready for fresh grease and reassembly. I used Phil Wood grease left over from my Raleigh 20 restomod folding bike project.
The Garrard 301 grease bearing makes the NEAT P58H bearing look diminutive.
CODA
Although innovative in its own right, the various pictures show that the mechanical design and manufacturing quality of the NEAT P58H/Shield MO-19 isn't quite as sophisticated as the illustrious Garrard 301, 401, or Thorens TD124. I never envisioned it to equal those revered models in terms of performance. However, IMHO and experience, a reconditioned NEAT P58H is a worthy alternative to a restored Lenco or Rek O Kut.
