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| Model: | The Q Up |
| Category: | Accessory |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $59.99 |
| Description: | End Of LP Automatic Tonearm Lifter |
| Manufacturer URL: | The Q Up |
| Model Picture: | View |
| Review by EdAInWestOC on July 05, 2012 at 07:10:04 IP Address: 24.35.51.206 | Add Your Review for the The Q Up |
What we have here is a new incarnation of an end of LP automatic tonearm lifter that we have seen in years gone by from various manufacturers. The end of LP lifter device has been around since the dawn of LP playback in one form or the other and its implementation is fairly simple.
The turntable that I have added this device to is my Denon DP-62L. I replaced the original Denon tonearm with a tweaked out OEM RB-300 tonearm some years ago and following that upgrade I re-implemented the Denon automatic lift capability.
Unfortunately I subsequently noticed that the new RB-300 tonearm with its Incognito wiring was picking up some very low level hum from the turntable's electronics. I fixed that problem by addind a shield made of TI-Shield around the bottom of the tonearm where it is attached to the armboard. This is also where the Denon electronic end-of-LP tonearm lifting hardware is located and something had to go.
Out went the Denon tonearm lifting electronics and hardware and I entered the manual tonearm cueing world once again.
I spent some time shopping for an end-of-LP lifter but either the seller wanted too much for the device or I had concerns about the reliability of the old, used device.
I noticed an ad for this device on the Needle Doctor website. The price was reasonable so I decided to pull the trigger.
The instructions for the Q Up states that the installation is easy and requires no tools but that was not the case for my setup. My armboard did not have sufficient space to add the Q Up and the device hung over the edge of the existing armboard.
I was obliged to measure, cut and drill a new armboard with the added space to allow the Q Up to be installed next to the OEM RB-300. The other thing that required tools in my installation was the verticle adjustment of the Q Up.
The Q Up comes with three added spacers to install the Q Up onto turntables that require added vertical spacing. The Q Up must be installed where the tonearm lifter lever is position slightly below the tonearm when your tonearm is playing a normal LP.
The Q Up, as it came out of the package, needed some additional vertical spacing help so I also pulled out the handy added spacers provided with the device. Unfortunately all of the black plastic "platforms" that are provided for the purpose were all too high. The smallest of the three was twice the height needed in my installation so out came the Dremel.
I found the needed spacers in an old fishing tackle box. It was one of those boxes of fishing lures that came in a box with plastic dividers so you can set up the box anyway you like. I used the Dremel to cut up one of those dividers so I ended up with two pieces of the plastic 12 x 30mm. Each piece of the fishing tackle box divider was approximately 1.5mm thick. I used some super glue to combine the two pieces of plastic together to give me a "platform" that was about 4mm high.
Once I had the space to position the Q Up next to the tonearm and I had the correct vertical spacers the installation was pretty quick. I used super glue to affix my created "platform" to my newly created armboard.
Once you have any special issues dealt with, the hardest part of the installation involves figuring out how to position the Q Up and any of the required vertical spacers next to the tonearm. You first make sure you have your stylus guard in place, put on some useless LP on the platter and move the tonearm over the the place where the tonearm would be once it reaches the end of the deadwax.
With your tonearm in this position you put on any required vertical spacers and then the Q Up next to the tonearm so that the Q Up is at a 90 degree angle to the armtube.
The Q Up provided vertical spacers (there are three of them) and the Q Up itself comes with adhesive on the bottoms of each part. You peel off a sheet of protective material to put the spacer and/or the Q Up in place. It is recommended in the instructions that you apply light pressure when you first put your Q Up and/or spacers in place.
In my case I already had my custom spacers in place so I peeled off the protective sheet off the bottom of the Q Up and put the Q Up in place (but I did not press down firmly at this point). The instructions warn not to press down firmly until you are certian that the device is positioned properly.
After I made sure the Q Up was properly positioned I pressed down to help the adhesive take hold. I was concerned at this point and thought I might have to use some additional glue since the Q Up didn't seem to be in place too firmly. Not to worry...whatever type adhesive is used, the initial adhesive qualities are not the way it ends up.
After the Q Up was in place for a little while the adhesive firmed up and the Q Up was held in place firmly. It is a good choice for adhesives since it allows you to make some initial mistakes and sets up to firmly hold the device in place. Good work Q Up.
The Q Up has three adjustments once the device is firmly in place. There is a slider control on both ends of the device and the Q Up is held in place in its base which allows for sliding of the device towards and away from the tonearm. The last of the adjustments mentioned allows you to fine tune the Q Up's position so that the device operates at the proper point in the LP's playback.
The other two adjustments are the "Lift force sensitivity" adjustment and the "Trigger sensitivity" adjustment. Each of these two adjustments are on the narrow sides of the Q Up. The "Trigger sensitivity" adjustment is under the lifting lever side of the Q Up and allows you to adjust the correct sensitivity and firing position for the Q Up's trigger. The "Lift force sensivity" adjustment is on the opposite side of the Q Up and is adjusted to compensate for tonearms with difference downforces.
I placed each of those final two adjustments to the middle of their range, placed an old LP on my platter and carefully slid the Q Up in its base so that the trigger on the Q Up was just about touching the tonearm when the tonearm was at the end of the deadwax and sat back to have something cold to drink.
To use the Q Up you simply press down on the lifting lever on the Q Up until it latches. You them queue up you LP and sit back and listen. If everything is adjusted properly the LP will play, reach the end of the deadwax and the Q Up will trigger lifting the tonearm odd the LP.
I had to readjust the Q Up by slding it closer/farther away to/from the tonearm. This is the adjustment mentioned above where you slide the Q Up in its base to move the trigger closer/farther to/from the tonearm.
This was done with several LPs since not every LP has the same end of LP point. I tried about 6-7 different LP and have since settled on a setting that appears to work with everything else I have tried.
The end result is a device that seems to work pretty well. It has a bit of bounce when it lifts the tonearm but nothing to be concerned about.
It is a simple and effective device that does the job it is intended to do for a reasonable price.
Ed
| Product Weakness: | The product cannot account for all turntable/tonearm setups and there may be additional work required |
| Product Strengths: | It works |
| Amplifier: | Adcom GFA-555II |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Audible Immusions L1 |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Denon DP-62L |
| Speakers: | Magnepan MGMC1 |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Kimber Hero |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Rack/Jazz |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Opus 104
nt
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Opus 104
.....if the current manufacturer of this product has any relation to the Thorens Export Co. I do believe that the current proprietor/investment group that owns Thorens also purchased the name and everything that went with it....including rights to legacy product.Not only does the name (Q up) directly link to that former Thorens product; the Thorens Q-up, and so also does the design seems to be of similar if not same basic architecture.
Hmm. Pahmer Enterprises is the name at the website. Do they purchase a license from Thorens to market this item? Or is Pahmer Enterprises somehow related to Thorens? Inquisitive pea-brains want to know. The Thorens Export Co. has been known to get "very protective" about what it views to be its property.
Back in the day The Thorens Q-Up was a $10.00 item hanging off the wall in a plastic blister pack at yer local Hi-Fi dealer. I suppose $60 in today's currency seems in-step with forty years of inflation.-Steve
Edits: 07/05/12
see THIS link:
and yes, the extended ride in the runout groove happened to me as well. it was the norah jones 'come away with me' LP.
...regards...tr
Ed, it sounds as if you had much better success than I did years ago with a similar appearing Thorens Q Up device.
With mine, I could never get the lift tension set for consistency. Sometimes it would lift the arm as intended, while other times it would not lift at all, and still others it would fling the arm up with too much pressure. Hopefully whoever is making the ones now like you have corrected for those problems.
"For a nominal service fee,
you can reach nirvana tonight."
The lift tension adjustment has stayed consistent. I am running a OEM RB-300 at about 2gms and it has been consistent up to now.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
I could not be without my Thorens Q-Up. I use it for my long arm and SPU setup. It has always worked trouble free once set for trip location. Searching for another, for my multiple tables, has been a troubling situation. Whenever one was available, the cost was staggering; jaw dropping for such a seemingly simple plastic w/a spring device. Now, my search has ended ! $60. is not too bad for stylus safety.
THANK YOU, ED !!! Thanks for the review and the news/info ! Your continuous help on these forums is always appreciated !!!
I love this hobby and if I can help, it feels good.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
I think my Thorens Q Up was about $20. I guess THAT tells me how long ago it must have been. :^(
"For a nominal service fee,
you can reach nirvana tonight."
..I often thought about hoarding things that might become valuable in the future. Problem was, I was always too broke to take a shot at it, even though I could get the items at cost.
In hindsight, I should have bought a couple hundred AT Safety Raisers at $20 each.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
but where would our eyeball be located then?
"For a nominal service fee,
you can reach nirvana tonight."
.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Opus 104
...from my Immusion? Could it be I'm using the wrong Quibbles?
Don't let any secrets out.Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 07/05/12
Jeez...they are getting a lot of press here lately. They are all of the rage. Three channels and based on quad 6933 tubes. A very fine component.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
They made the Modicum 3A, right?
Opus 104
They're probably up to "3b" or a signature edition...at least.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Thanks for the review, I literally just ordered a Q Up yesterday based on a video that VPI had posted on FaceBook.
Thanks again.
Seems like a lot of trouble and expense for something that is not needed but if it works for you..............
-Wendell
I hope its not needed for you but I have a bit of trouble getting around sometimes and something that will lift the stylus for me at the end of the LP is a welcomed little assistant.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
I can see the need if someone is physically restricted in some manner. I don't understand the fear of the stylus sitting in the run out groove for awhile. That's what I meant. This is a device I would not consider as "needed".
-Wendell
on some old records, I have head the stylus scating to the paper label.
I was in the next room and thought my system has self-destracted.
Gotta say that was one of the worst sound that came out of my speakers!
I have a coupla/few records that do the same thing. Terrifying!
I've also left the house for the weekend with a record spinning in the lead out groove (must of been one of those days) and came home to find the stylus digging a trench in the record. The Q Up will be money well spent for me!
That looks painful. :x
nt
I've never had it happen in 46 years of playing records. Just lucky, I guess.
-Wendell
Original Cartridge Database I noticed a repeated issue with some stylus assemblies. There were a lot of photos that I collected where the stylus was deflected out towards the beginning of the LP.This is not evidence by any standard but just a theory that happens to fit the facts. The only thing I could figure out that was happening to all these stylii where they would end up deflected out towards the beginning of the LP is that someone did in fact leave these stylii sitting in the lead out groove for extended periods of time.
That would end up putting some pressure on the stylus suspension and potentially end up with all those stylii deflected that way.
It was the only thing I could figure that explained the large number of stylii photos I was looking at with the problem.
If anyone else can some up with a theory that fits the evidence I'll bite.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 07/05/12
Can't say. I've never left a record in the run out groove for an extended period of time. I suspect 5 minutes has been the longest. That's why I see no need for the device. If I did, I would simply get an automatic table.
-Wendell
You're just not getting drunk enough... (smiley face)
.
The installation instructions do not come in the package with the Q Up. You must access the Q Up website (link below) to access and download the instructions.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
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