Thales Tonearm
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- #23
Yea Bruce is correct, the Thales is in a different class.
Simplicity II is clear, concise and has a directness and transparency that is uncanny. Bass is tight but able to provide kick and attack when it is in the recording. There is a stability in the image that creates a coherence in the soundstage and stereo image and detail from recordings are superb. All this with a purity across the entire lp.
The Phantom in direct comparison is a bit cloudy, bass weighted and lacks a directness and snap in the musical delivery.
The weakness I thought the TW had was more that the arm was the weak link prior to the Thales.
The linear tracking from the Thales is the real deal.
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- #25
Hi Boggy
It is a neutral tonearm. I did hear it with its own tonearm cable, which I did not like so its back in its bag. It seems to add a little warm coloration that removed some of the brilliant qualities of neutrality and transparency.
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- #27
I use Nordost valhalla and Furutech AG-12. I first tried out the Thales Easy, which the Furutech sounded better than the Thales and the Valhalla. Gotta put the Valhalla back in a some stage, but sounding so good atm, no desire to.
For the price the Furutech AG-12 s one hell of a bargin.
the Thales easy has a slightly cosier bass and a little more subdued so would be a good choice for a system that perhaps leans towards the neutral/lean.
The Simplicity II more than justified its large price tag in my system.
For the price the Furutech AG-12 s one hell of a bargin.
the Thales easy has a slightly cosier bass and a little more subdued so would be a good choice for a system that perhaps leans towards the neutral/lean.
The Simplicity II more than justified its large price tag in my system.
Hi Boggy--Your not in Adelaide are you? ( sorry poor Joke
!)
Ok No sorry cannot say I investigated the Arm cables on the sessions but as auditioned at Show /Dealer ventures I would hazard the factory Supplied --or recommended ones
Cable inference or not the Thales SII is superior on nearly all counts--XV-1- your man on the Spot has both mounted --perfect for your answer
I concur his findings
Bruce
!)Ok No sorry cannot say I investigated the Arm cables on the sessions but as auditioned at Show /Dealer ventures I would hazard the factory Supplied --or recommended ones
Cable inference or not the Thales SII is superior on nearly all counts--XV-1- your man on the Spot has both mounted --perfect for your answer
I concur his findings
Bruce
Shane - any update?
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- #31
Hi Mike
What do you want to know?
Am I still loving the tonearm? Hell yea - best hifi purchase I have made for a long time.
My other tables aren't getting much play time, which is the opposite when the Phantom was the only tonearm on the TW. That to me says the most about the Simplicity II tonearm. I am certainly a believer in well designed tangential tracking tonearms.
I really want another Thales on one of my DD tables, but that frankly is impossible with their integrated wood plinths.
here is a quick phone shot of it spinning the new Keith Richards as I write this post :hey:
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- #33
Not really, other that what I mentioned on setup. It is perhaps a little less forgiving on pressing faults. it's been superb since initial setup.
Gentlemen, as you appear being the top of the crop specialists for everything turntable, have you ever come across, heard, tested the Dynavector 507Mk2?
http://www.dynavector.com/products/tonearm/e_507mk2.html
Of course it is an older design, but quite intriguing. I heard it recently mounted on an Avid Acutus.
It's quite a machine. The reason for asking is that I find the Thales fascinating, except for the fact there is no mechanical lift. With my clumsy hands I would not want to rely on lifting the arm with my fingers.
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I know it's a bit like necromancy. But I have this arm. With a Dynavector cart. The combo with my TT works great. But I have not tested other arms. Maybe not the definite combo on detail, but it gives power, slam and the feeling of live music.
a.wayne
Well-known member
Hi Mike
What do you want to know?
Am I still loving the tonearm? Hell yea - best hifi purchase I have made for a long time.
My other tables aren't getting much play time, which is the opposite when the Phantom was the only tonearm on the TW. That to me says the most about the Simplicity II tonearm. I am certainly a believer in well designed tangential tracking tonearms.
I really want another Thales on one of my DD tables, but that frankly is impossible with their integrated wood plinths.
here is a quick phone shot of it spinning the new Keith Richards as I write this post :hey:
How is Your LP-12 , any updates or stock ..??
Kuoppis
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I see you also have the Te Kaitora Rua. How do you like it, how would you describe it?
I have heard it once and was quite impressed.
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- #37
LP12 is cirkus, trampolin, Lingo with Naim ARO. None of the new upgrades as they are bloody expensive. LP12 does not get a lot of use.
cheers
Difficult to say. It is the only cart I've had with this arm/TT combo. The cart I had before was a Lyra Dorian. But that was long ago on a different TT.
What I can say is this. I think it is somewhere between analytical carts like Lyra and more romantic carts like Koetsu. It does low frequencies very well. The bass is big and with impact. Which I missed a bit with the Lyra. But it doesn't extract the last minute details from the groove.
The mids and highs are good but maybe a tad boring sometimes. That can be a good thing. It means you can listen to you LP's for hours on end without getting listener fatigue. But it could be a bit more lively and dynamic.
More of an Ayre sound then a Krell sound if you understand what I mean by that.
Maybe I'm a bit negative, but I prefer to point out out the negative then to oversell it.
The good points are to me the low end and the ability to forget your surroundings and close your eyes and dream away. Let the music take you. My next cart could very well be a TKR again, or maybe a van den Hull, but I think the latter is out of my range.
Kuoppis
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Thanks for sharing your experiences Mordante, quite interesting indeed.
When I heard the TKR, it was in an upward Dynavector line. While every next one was better, maybe there was a certain house sound. It is possible that omitted some things other carts would have provided. But I am anyway rather the Ayre than a Krell guy [emoji3].
Have you heard any of the Lyras, e.g. Etna? That is another hot contender to be my next cart.
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When I heard the TKR, it was in an upward Dynavector line. While every next one was better, maybe there was a certain house sound. It is possible that omitted some things other carts would have provided. But I am anyway rather the Ayre than a Krell guy [emoji3].
Have you heard any of the Lyras, e.g. Etna? That is another hot contender to be my next cart.
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a.wayne
Well-known member
Mordante, What is an Ayre sound ..? What is a Krell Sound?...