Turntable Shopping - Need some opinion.

BlueMcIntosh said:
I prefer musicality, laid back and a more relaxed sound than upfront, dynamic, and harder sounding.
I've been told to stay away from the direct drives, Lenco, Gerrard, VPI, Transrotor, and anything with an Acrylic Platter.

Am I on right direction ? :)
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Acrylic platter; ok, I've read the same to stay away from them. ...And some famous turntables not only use an acrylic platter, but an acrylic plinth too, and platform base, and lots and lots of acrylic in their design, everywhere. I can post tons of pictures that look like a transparent fountain of youth and beautiful water cascade of rejuvenation, with light reflecting everywhere and forming rainbows of diamonds, but I won't because acrylic is just that, looking good, and not so good for analog music playback, just like tubes. ;) ...Listening that is, not the looks.

But staying away from VPI!?! ...This is the first time ever in my life that I'm just reading that! :disbelief:

Right direction? ...It depends. ...Who do you trust Paul?
 
I've heard the flagship kronos at several shows and it has never had speed issues to my ears. Louis has made changes to the design along the way (used to be 3 belt now it is 2 belt drive for example) developed dedicated stand, etc. but the table has sounded great to my ears. Caelin of Shunyata bought one this past year if folks need to speak to an owner for experience.
Paul, did you hear the amg yet? Going to montreal show to listen to more ?
 
No Regrets said:
It might be worth your while to listen to some SME tables. Very well built, been in the industry for a very long time and very well respected. They may have the sonic traits you are looking for.
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agreed great tables and a huge price drop just happened. but you not getting much of a dealer discount anymore cause they are not making as much on them as they were in the past. i honestly would prefer an sme without the sme arm.lmao!!! gimme a triplanar or a graham on it. id be very happy.
and IMO the smaller kronos is a way better looking setup. its really cool, maybe its because i prefer black . never heard either. but i like the sparta way better.
i have heard the continuum and not that pauls buying it but it was spectacular and i wasnt allowed to touch it.lmao!!!
sorry but since were putting up our personal opinions id figure id put up my favorites .
i havent heard all of the super tables but ive heard a few .
1.continuum
2.walker proscinium(sp?)
3. brinkmann balance
4. air force 1
5.vpi hrx with graham arm
6.spiral groove sg1(triplanar)
7. my table. lmao!!!!!!!!! :D
number 5 and 6 are by far the best values. the other tables are not worth all the extra money IMO.none really were that much better.2,3 and 4 were very close and could be the equip i heard them with.i think the walker was spectacular,and i heard it several times with all different equip. the continuum had the biggest jump in performance over another table was like nothing i ever heard, of course they are a little pricey.lol. and they were using like $1/2 mill in FM acoustic gear with it. i havent heard a kronos, or an AMG. or anything that is new to the market. but im going soon to hear a few different ones.including AMG. cant wait!!!!
notice i have no clearaudios on my list although ive heard several. just not for me, but i never heard their flagship big $$ table.
ok just my opinion dont kill me. lol!!!

maybe my second table which was going to be a spiral groove might be a sparta. i need to go find these to listen to for myself.
 
Why is it that so many times I read "I heard it here and there but rarely do I see reference to actually having such in ones own system to actually properly evaluate and this relates to all audio related pces?"


I'm sorry but if you haven't done this then you lack credibility! You can type and say anything but you really have nothing to base it upon. ;)
 
Petro85 said:
number 5 and 6 are by far the best values. the other tables are not worth all the extra money IMO.none really were that much better.2,3 and 4 were very close and could be the equip i heard them with.i think the walker was spectacular,and i heard it several times with all different equip. the continuum had the biggest jump in performance over another table was like nothing i ever heard, of course they are a little pricey.lol. and they were using like $1/2 mill in FM acoustic gear with it.
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Do you actually have any first hand experience with any these actual tables in your own system to compare besides the one you own? or just going from listening here and there?
 
Dev - it's not always practical to have everything come to your home. That's ideal - yes, but not practical and I certainly don't discount anyone's opinion - so long as they have heard it and not just read about it.
 
Mike said:
Dev - it's not always practical to have everything come to your home. That's ideal - yes, but not practical and I certainly don't discount anyone's opinion - so long as they have heard it and not just read about it.
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My opinion - I fully appreciate it may not be practical but it's "essential" if you are going to provide an opinion of how it sounds, you need to have it in your system and live with it otherwise there's just no credibility.
 
Dev. I couldn't agree with you more but the forum's are made for people to discuss about our hobby and write their opinions. If people have to get first hand experience to speak their own opinion ? I think this forum wouldn't be active as it is IMO.
I see so many EXCELLENT posts even on this thread ( including yours ) but I wouldn't spend the my hard earn money based on posts without hearing myself. But I do like to hear a lot of opinion as possible even if they don't have a first hand experience. However if you haven't heard it please don't put any negative opinion though. Some rumors are coming from their own competitors without any fact.
 
dev said:
Do you actually have any first hand experience with any these actual tables in your own system to compare besides the one you own? or just going from listening here and there?
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actually no, but few have the means to do anything like that.and for most it is impossible, and this would not be much of a discussion forum if no one gave their opinions on what they heard at a show or a dealer or anywhere else. ive heard the walker several times with loads of different gear. and it was spectacular everytime. only listened to the continuum for a few minutes but that was enough to know it was unlike anything ive ever heard. the balance i heard next to the walker back and fourth through the same gear. more than once(would have bought it if i could have afforded it). the AF1 was good too, i thought the others were a little less mechanical and more musical. maybe it was the cartridge(expensive dynavector).which is why i liked the other 3 better. id be curious to hear the reed arm you have. bet that would sweeten the pot.
but hearing them is enough to be able to tell you what i like and dislike. whether its here or there. :)
 
sorry Paul i forgot, i came back to this thread to put these up for you. best value to sound ive ever heard. was too much $$ for me even used. but surely a super table , go hear the balance if you can. :exciting:
 

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Petro85 said:
sorry Paul i forgot, i came back to this thread to put these up for you. best value to sound ive ever heard. was too much $$ for me even used. but surely a super table , go hear the balance if you can. :exciting:
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Steve, I always like the Brinkmann. Actually I'm working on their Oasis TT with my friend see if we can buy two table with better discount. ;)

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Petro85 said:
actually no, but few have the means to do anything like that.and for most it is impossible, and this would not be much of a discussion forum if no one gave their opinions on what they heard at a show or a dealer or anywhere else. ive heard the walker several times with loads of different gear. and it was spectacular everytime. only listened to the continuum for a few minutes but that was enough to know it was unlike anything ive ever heard. the balance i heard next to the walker back and fourth through the same gear. more than once(would have bought it if i could have afforded it). the AF1 was good too, i thought the others were a little less mechanical and more musical. maybe it was the cartridge(expensive dynavector).which is why i liked the other 3 better. id be curious to hear the reed arm you have. bet that would sweeten the pot.
but hearing them is enough to be able to tell you what i like and dislike. whether its here or there. :)
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Steve don't take this personally but I'm sorry I just don't agree and this is what really frustrates me with forums in general because so many are doing the same. You really don't know what any of them sound like "in comparison" because you have never had any within your own system nor lived with them. I chuckled specially when you refer to the AF-1 being mechanical and not as musical is just too funny and so far from the truth and I have either owned or had in my system several of the tables you referred to.

You can read any of my posts on any forums for years and I never comment on sound unless I have had such in my system - otherwise it's just hot air and doesn't provide a base for any credibility ;)
 
dev said:
Steve don't take this personally but I'm sorry I just don't agree and this is what really frustrates me with forums in general because so many are doing the same. You really don't know what any of them sound like "in comparison" because you have never had any within your own system nor lived with them. I chuckled specially when you refer to the AF-1 being mechanical and not as musical is just too funny and so far from the truth and I have either owned or had in my system several of the tables you referred to.

You can read any of my posts on any forums for years and I never comment on sound unless I have had such in my system - otherwise it's just hot air and doesn't provide a base for any credibility ;)
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ok dev since your such a nice guy about it i will rephrase it for you. :)
in my very limited experience with the AF1 i found it to be 4th on my list of tables i would buy if i had the means. maybe 5th.even though all the rooms i heard all these tables in were way better than mine. even though i did not hear them in the over cluttered echo chamber that i call home. i should not give an opinion with such limited experience. :roflmao:
 
Petro85 said:
ok dev since your such a nice guy about it i will rephrase it for you. :)
in my very limited experience with the AF1 i found it to be 4th on my list of tables i would buy if i had the means. maybe 5th.even though all the rooms i heard all these tables in were way better than mine. even though i did not hear them in the over cluttered echo chamber that i call home. i should not give an opinion with such limited experience. :roflmao:
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Hi Steve, honestly doesn't bother me about your comment about the AF-1 - I just wish I read more from individuals whom actually have first hand experience within their own set-up of what ever they are making reference too. All is good :woot:
 
Paul - I know you're doing your homework. Check out the reviews on the Kronos on their website. Definitely some interesting reading material. Also check out the reviews on the AMG V12. That's a very popular table for the money. Jeff and Nelson can also help give you the scoop on the AMG.
 
BlueMcIntosh said:
Steve, I always like the Brinkmann. Actually I'm working on their Oasis TT with my friend see if we can buy two table with better discount. ;)
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Oasis is gorgeous- i couldnt swing the 50% increase over the bardo, but hope you guys can score a deal!
 
Dev, I have great respect for you, as I do for all the members here at the aquarium (Shark tank).
That means everything everyone says I listen and I listen real good.

_______________

This question is totally off topic and from pure curiosity; without any attachment to it or any other type of thought whatsoever, before, during, and after.

* Are you a member over at WBF? ...And if yes, what do you think?
 
Paul, that Oasis is a beautiful table. Do you have a dealer near you? It would be nice to hear the Bardo and Oasis next to one another to see if the big price jump is worth it in sound quality.
 
dev said:
Steve don't take this personally but I'm sorry I just don't agree and this is what really frustrates me with forums in general because so many are doing the same. You really don't know what any of them sound like "in comparison" because you have never had any within your own system nor lived with them. I chuckled specially when you refer to the AF-1 being mechanical and not as musical is just too funny and so far from the truth and I have either owned or had in my system several of the tables you referred to.

You can read any of my posts on any forums for years and I never comment on sound unless I have had such in my system - otherwise it's just hot air and doesn't provide a base for any credibility ;)
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I completely agree. And even when I have something in my system, comparing it to another product, all I can tell you is which one I prefer. I cannot tell you which is "better", nor can I tell which one you would prefer.
 
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