SOW - Turntable Replacements - final.pdf

ERAL TURNTABLE REPLACEMENT

1. OVERVIEW / BACKGROUND

The National Audiovisual Conservation Center (NAVCC) of the Library of Congress, develops, preserves and provides broad access to a comprehensive and valued collection of the world’s audiovisual heritage for the benefit of Congress and the nation’s citizens. The NAVCC uses state-of-the-art technologies to significantly increase preservation capacities and capabilities, and new large-scale digital acquisition and archiving systems for the global audiovisual community. The Audio Lab of the NAVCC uses a Simon Yorke turntable which is a high-end, precision-engineered turntable designed for audiophile and archival use.

Simon Yorke turntables are widely used for vinyl restoration and preservation and regarded as some of the finest analog playback systems available, delivering a natural, detailed, and highly accurate sound.

The Audio Lab needs to replace its Simon Yorke turntables as the current units have reached the end of their lifespan. The existing Simon Yorke turntables, now over 25 years old, are no longer supported since the company is out of business. This presents an opportunity to upgrade to new, archival grade Technics (Panasonic) turntables that are actively supported and can also be fitted with additional archival capability updates for advanced disc centering. Given that a significant portion of the Recorded Sound Collection consists of analog discs, this replacement is a mission-critical need to ensure the preservation and accessibility to the Library's collections.

Endpoint Audio Labs was awarded the Audio Lab Contract Number LCLGR25P0019 for the replacement of its Simon Yorke turntables. In support of this award, Endpoint is offering the Library an opportunity to modify the newly procured Technics SP10R turntables. These proposed modifications would enhance key functional capabilities and deliver substantial added value to the systems being acquired. Endpoint is proposing an upgrade to the Technics SP10R turntable motor that enables the use of a removeable spindle. This feature is essential for configuring a state-of-the-art commercial-grade turntable tailored to meet the Library’s preservation standards. Without a removable spindle, proper disc centering is not achievable. Many of the older discs in the Library’s collection require precise manual positioning on the platter, free of a fixed spindle, to allow for fine alignment using a microscope. This precision is critical to minimizing wow and distortion during playback, ensuring archival-quality results. A removeable spindle is a functional necessity for handling fragile, off-center, or rare discs with the precision required for archival-grade preservation. No other vendor or company, including the motor’s manufacture Technics, offers this spindle modification.

2. SCOPE

This contract is for the replacement of the existing 25-year-old Simon Yorke turntables for new upgraded turntables. The Technics SP10R turntable system has been identified as uniquely capable of fulfilling the archival requirements of the Audio Lab. This would encompass the procurement of Technics (Panasonic) SP10R turntables and plinths. In addition, the work includes a three (3) year manufacture warranty for the SP10R turntables and plinths and a 10-year SME tone arm warranty. Additionally, the Library intends to modify the newly procured Technics SP10R turntables to include available archival upgrades, specifically spindles for the Technics SP10R turntable motor system offered by Endpoint, along with a three-year warranty.

3. REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide pricing to supply nine (9) Technics SP10R turntables with custom plinths, compatible with the SME M2-12R tone arm detailed below. As part of the modification, the contractor shall include pricing to modify five of the nine Technics SP10R turntables systems with custom spindles.

3.1. The Technics SP10R archival turntable is unique in the marketplace with its ultra-stable direct-drive motor, delivering industry-leading < 0.015% wow and flutter performance. The SP10R supports multiple playback speeds, and when paired with a custom plinth, can accommodate larger 16” transcription discs in the Library’s collection. The contractor shall provide pricing to supply nine (9) of these systems.

3.2. The contractor shall provide pricing to supply nine (9) plinths for the SP10R systems, designed to accommodate 12” SME tone arms. The plinths must support playback of discs up to 16” in size. The library requires a custom plinth for the SP10R system as the stock plinth from Technics will not provide for the ability to play 16” transcription discs or accommodate the SME M2-12r tone arm. The plinth must be of archival quality and feature sound dampening and isolation of the SP10R. The plinth must be able to rest on a platform no larger than 24” x 24” which is what our studios can accommodate. The plinth supplied by the vendor may be custom designed or may be a commercial product as long as these conditions are met.

3.3. The contractor shall provide pricing to supply nine (9) SME M2-12R tonearms. The Library has been using SME tonearms on its current archival turntables, and these are essential for maintaining compatibility with existing equipment, including head shells and cartridges, while also leveraging the Library’s stock of spare parts for maintenance. The SME M2-12R tonearm features a unique J-shaped design with azimuth adjustment, a capability not found in other models and critical for properly configuring the turntables for archival use. Additionally, it offers industry-leading tracking accuracy and minimal distortion measurements.

3.4 The Contractor shall perform modifications on five (5) Technics SP10R turntable motor systems to include upgraded custom spindles. These upgrades shall consist of removable spindles, a centering microscope with mount and all associated components and parts.

3.5. The Contractor shall provide the manufacturer's warranty on all products purchased, except where archival updates may void the original manufacturer warranty. The contractor shall provide a minimum three-year warranty on all upgraded modifications. The warranty period shall start after final performance and Government acceptance.

3.6. The contractor shall be available for customer support for the duration of the contract with 48-hour response time to questions/concerns.

4. CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

4.1. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS/DELIVERABLES

Table 1- Deliverables

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

5.1 CONTRACTOR TRAVEL. The Library will not reimburse the contractor for travel expenses incurred in the performance of this contract.

5.2 SHIPPING EXPENSES. The contractor will be responsible for shipping of deliverables to NAVCC.

Paragraph reference

Description of Event/Deliverable Due date/Payment schedule

3.1 9 Technics SP10R Turntables Due before the end of the Period of Performance (POP). The Library shall purchase a total of 9 units based upon budget availability.

3.2 9 SP10R plinth compatible with 12” SME Tone Arms

Due before the end of the Period of Performance (POP). The Library shall purchase a total of 9 units based upon budget availability.

3.3 9 12” SME Tone Arms Due before the end of the Period of Performance (POP). The Library shall purchase a total of 9 units based upon budget availability.

3.4 Upgrade Five (5) turntable motor

systems with archival upgrades, specifically removable spindles, mounts, and all components & parts.

Upgrades shall be fitted and delivered with 5 of the 9 units and due before the end of the Period of Performance (POP).

3.5 Three (3) Year Plinth Manufacturer

Warranty

Due after final performance and Government Acceptance.

3.5 Three (3) Year SP10R Manufacturer

Warranty

Due after final performance and Government Acceptance.

3.5 Ten (10) Year SME Tone Arm

Manufacturer Warranty

Due after final performance and Government Acceptance.

3.5 Three (3) Year Warranty on Archival

Upgrades

Due after final performance and Government Acceptance.