Opinions on Lafon gm70's

[Cucumber_jones]

I said the T2 is made for the EMT. I never said it would not work well with other carts. I said it was made specifically for the EMT.

 

[kev313]

One last thing... Chris can also do matte finishes if that's the main thing making his tables feel bling-y.

If you're ever in the Bay Area and want to hear how his approach sounds in a Shindo system, hit me up.

It's just a lot going on for me. I can imagine other people liking it just fine. My tastes are just for something a tad more muted. Personal preference of course! For reference, my 401.

And the teres, which looks positively DIY in this setting. But in a way I like. Again, personal choice for sure

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[kev313]

Much apologies for the low quality of the quick snaps.


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[briguy]

I said Chris is no Ken and I stand by that. It's nice if it looks good. But sound is what matters. You said he is the new Ken before let you even turned the player on. That makes it a foolish comment to me.

I most certainly did NOT say that. I said that it "may" be that he is and that only time will tell. I also specifically said that I couldn't comment since I hadn't heard the table and also wouldn't be able to comment on a comparison unless and until I had a chance to live with both tables. Not sure how you could be confused otherwise when my comments were pretty explicit.

 

[kev313]

The 401 is currently issued and unloved. Waiting for me to reassemble the phy-hp system.


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[briguy]

I said the T2 is made for the EMT. I never said it would not work well with other carts. I said it was made specifically for the EMT.

I was referencing the other guy who was chiming in on that. Not you.

 

[briguy]

It's just a lot going on for me. I can imagine other people liking it just fine. My tastes are just for something a tad more muted. Personal preference of course! For reference, my 401.

And the teres, which looks positively DIY in this setting. But in a way I like. Again, personal choice for sure

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I dig the look of these as well, especially the bottom. The 401's don't do it for me aesthetically and I haven't had a chance to hear one that's been rebuilt well. Hopefully one day.

 

[briguy]

The 401 is currently issued and unloved. Waiting for me to reassemble the phy-hp system.


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I'm also curious about some of the big boy professional EMT tables that are out there, albeit in limited supply and mostly dubious condition. You know... the ones with motors that look like they could power a small VW Bug.

Would be interesting to see someone tackle a modern rebuild of one of those.

 

[kev313]

I'm also curious about some of the big boy professional EMT tables that are out there, albeit in limited supply and mostly dubious condition. You know... the ones with motors that look like they could power a small VW Bug.

Would be interesting to see someone tackle a modern rebuild of one of those.

http://www.jpvanvliet.nl/index.html

Rebuilt. Not modified. Excellent work. Limited supply.


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[briguy]

http://www.jpvanvliet.nl/index.html

Rebuilt. Not modified. Excellent work. Limited supply.


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ah, yes! Very cool.

 

[briguy]

http://www.jpvanvliet.nl/index.html

Rebuilt. Not modified. Excellent work. Limited supply.


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Have you had an opportunity to hear any of these types of "Pro" EMT tables?

 

[kev313]

Have you had an opportunity to hear any of these types of "Pro" EMT tables?

I owned an EMT 930 for a while and stupidly sold it. I've stupidly sold many things... I felt when properly set up it easily bested my Garrards and Thorens that I had in the house at the same time. It is kind of like a hybrid of the strengths of the 124 and 301. A bit more resolution, perhaps, but lighter on its feet than the 301.

But I got annoyed because it had a fiddily old ortofon arm and the options for putting my personal touch on it were limited. Typical audiophile. Always thinking I know better.

If I could do it all over, looking over the vast landscape of my prior tables, I would probably keep a stock 301 and 124 around for fun. The 124 is easily the budget champ. It requires the least amount of work to sound great and is so lovely and compact. For the "big rig," to put it in audio guy terms (or the even more self-important "reference table"), I should have either just cut out all of the middlemen and gotten the Shindo 301 OR kept my Verdier.



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[kev313]

I will change what I just said. Looks mean nothing in audio. Sonics are everything.

A wise man once wrote this long ago. I think it makes a lot of sense:

To be successful at building an amp or speakers, I maintain you must PICTURE, in your mind, how you will look and how you will feel playing discs. I mean how it will feel to put the disc on/in the player. I mean how you think you will look in the room lighting, standing in front of the player and between the speakers. I mean try to imagine how you will feel putting on the disc and sitting in the chair, dreaming and carrying on, in the new world you have created. This is your time machine, your sanctuary. This is your religion. You are the wizard, the movie director, the conductor, the mad scientist! When you create your own music system, you create you own new music culture. I really like the feel of playing 78s. It takes me somewhere.

If I could be remembered for only one contribution to audio it would be this: How the system looks, how the electronics and speakers interface with your room and lifestyle, how they are placed and how they are lit, is THE most important thing you can consider when planning a home building project. Please don't just build a box full of tubes and stick it on the carpet of your living room.

Create a PLACE to go. Create a personal RITUAL. Integrate the process of soldering with the process of listening. Do not separate the process of building and planning from the process of living. Let the gluing and soldering lead you to notice the birds singing and the wind in the leaves. Create a hi-fi that reminds you to listen to the rain falling.

I can only speak for myself, but nearly thirty years of building audio has forced me to finally reflect on the why more than the how. For me, audio is about becoming a more peaceful, cultured and reflective man. It is simply a process. In my dreams, I see myself as a lone Zen scholar sitting in a little wooden boat, fishing and painting pictures. When I get tired, I take a nap!


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[tunes]

http://www.jpvanvliet.nl/index.html

Rebuilt. Not modified. Excellent work. Limited supply.


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I love this guy's work though i have never heard one. My kind of aesthetic.
Chris' AF work i find bling-y as well, but i deeply admire the attention to restoration detail and improvement. In my mind, he is setting the bar for idler table offerings for those who don't want the diy experience.

I am one of those disappointed "lost sales" that was interested in Shindo parts but they were not for sale.
Have rebuilt a 124 and 301 using the usual online suspects for parts and then got NormaHyleeTech ( now renamed Tonmechanik Berlin ) to do the plinths.
http://www.norma-hylee-tech.de/html/produkte.html
When i moved several years ago, they went into storage due to lack of space in the new place



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[briguy]

I owned an EMT 930 for a while and stupidly sold it. I've stupidly sold many things... I felt when properly set up it easily bested my Garrards and Thorens that I had in the house at the same time. It is kind of like a hybrid of the strengths of the 124 and 301. A bit more resolution, perhaps, but lighter on its feet than the 301.

But I got annoyed because it had a fiddily old ortofon arm and the options for putting my personal touch on it were limited. Typical audiophile. Always thinking I know better.

If I could do it all over, looking over the vast landscape of my prior tables, I would probably keep a stock 301 and 124 around for fun. The 124 is easily the budget champ. It requires the least amount of work to sound great and is so lovely and compact. For the "big rig," to put it in audio guy terms (or the even more self-important "reference table"), I should have either just cut out all of the middlemen and gotten the Shindo 301 OR kept my Verdier.



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The Verdier is a gorgeous table. I haven't had a chance to hear one in person. Maybe one day.

 

[briguy]

A wise man once wrote this long ago. I think it makes a lot of sense:

To be successful at building an amp or speakers, I maintain you must PICTURE, in your mind, how you will look and how you will feel playing discs. I mean how it will feel to put the disc on/in the player. I mean how you think you will look in the room lighting, standing in front of the player and between the speakers. I mean try to imagine how you will feel putting on the disc and sitting in the chair, dreaming and carrying on, in the new world you have created. This is your time machine, your sanctuary. This is your religion. You are the wizard, the movie director, the conductor, the mad scientist! When you create your own music system, you create you own new music culture. I really like the feel of playing 78s. It takes me somewhere.

If I could be remembered for only one contribution to audio it would be this: How the system looks, how the electronics and speakers interface with your room and lifestyle, how they are placed and how they are lit, is THE most important thing you can consider when planning a home building project. Please don't just build a box full of tubes and stick it on the carpet of your living room.

Create a PLACE to go. Create a personal RITUAL. Integrate the process of soldering with the process of listening. Do not separate the process of building and planning from the process of living. Let the gluing and soldering lead you to notice the birds singing and the wind in the leaves. Create a hi-fi that reminds you to listen to the rain falling.

I can only speak for myself, but nearly thirty years of building audio has forced me to finally reflect on the why more than the how. For me, audio is about becoming a more peaceful, cultured and reflective man. It is simply a process. In my dreams, I see myself as a lone Zen scholar sitting in a little wooden boat, fishing and painting pictures. When I get tired, I take a nap!


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Well said.

 

[Katoomer]

Maybe Chris is not this gen's Ken but he does build a beautiful table that sounds good. My Artisan built Thorens is not a Shindo competitor but for the price it sounds damn good.
Chris's engineering is top notch as that's his background

 

[rower]

I also don't love the bling look on some of the plinths. Kevin and I are alike in that regard.

I need a second turn table for a second location. Currently I have a Shindo 301 with both A23 Hommage and Shindo WE 618b step ups. I am considering either another Shindo 301 if available, an EMT 927 if room, Verdier possibly or one of Matt's recommendations.

 

[Walter]

Speakers should not have 100dB with the Lafon GM70, so this amp is overpowered enough.

 

[rower]

One last thing... Chris can also do matte finishes if that's the main thing making his tables feel bling-y.

If you're ever in the Bay Area and want to hear how his approach sounds in a Shindo system, hit me up.

are you in the Bay Area?!? I am.