$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path

Letch,
While I have not heard any of the Teres models, I did seriously consider the 255 before deciding to buy the Galibier instead. Some of the factors that led me to choose the Galibier were: (1) some concern over the long-term dimensional stability of the Teres wood base (and even more so the wood platters of models above the 255), as opposed to the solid aluminum of the Galibier ALU, (2) I had heard the Platine Verdier set up with the same tonearm I would be using (a 12" Moerch DP-6) and was very impressed with its sound quality, and the Galibier seemed more similar to the Verdier than did the Teres, (3) the Galibier accomodates 12" arms and it also allows two tonearms to be fitted easily, (4) I read a number of accounts of problems with the Teres motor controller, and I was skeptical of the whole servo control concept---the Galibier and Verdier use a very simple DC regulator which obviously works well without any servo control, (5) the Galibier especially with the optional Teflon/aluminum platter is very massive, and mass seems to matter with a non-suspended table, (6) the Galibier seemed to me to be more cutting-edge in terms of platter technology (a lot of work went into the the Teflon/aluminum composite using lead shot and oil to damp vibrations) and drive belt technology (I believe Thom Mackris was using the wide tape before Teres), (7) I like the looks of both the Teres 255 and the Galibier ALU tables, but overall I preferred the look of polished aluminum which nicely matches the Moerch toneram, (8) I really like Galibier's philosophy that everything they make should be an "heirloom" product that will so longlasting and reliable that it can be willed to your heirs---this was consistent with my desire that my new turntable would be my final table and would be flexible enough to accommodate any tonearm or cartridge changes I might make in the future, and (9) perhaps most importantly, I had and continue to have "good vibes" in all of my conversations and email exchanges with Thom Mackris---Thom is committed to making his customers happy with their purchase. Others have had similar things to say about Chris Brady at Teres, but I talked to Thom first and never felt any need to look further.

I guess the bottom line is that this is a great time to be in the market for a new turntable and we are all lucky to have companies like Galibier and Teres to choose from. In an ideal world, we would be able to go to our local dealer and hear all of the various turntables, and indeed then be able to bring several home to audition at length. In the real world, however, we have to make some decisions based on less than perfect information. I'll confess to having had some concerns about buying any turntable without ever having seem or heard it, even with Galibier's 30-day satisfaction assurance, but I am completely satisfied with the decision to buy a Galibier.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I think that when we are discussing the sonic performance levels of these turntables, and even including such high-end comparisons as the Verdier(and others have even compared against Walker!), it is obvious that any of these selections is in the very high performance category. Thus, any of these brands is going to provide extremely satisfactory results for the money spent. We are talking about personal preferences and slight variations that some may prefer over others.

Obviously, these small variations in sound are what ultimately will make our decision for us in this category, but I seriously doubt that any of them would be an unsatisfactory one.

Just the fact that there are some companies which make turntables that compete at the highest levels, and cost little more than entry level products, is a very good trend indeed for analog lovers.

I considered many of the same turntables under discussion above, and ultimately decided on the Teres. However, it is quite likely that I would have been similarly satisfied with a Redpoint, or Galibier, or maybe even some other options. Any table in the league of a Verdier that costs under $3k is a very good thing, as far as I am concerned. It makes any table costing over $10k seem to be very challenged in cost/benefit assessments.

That is why I made the selections that I did. I had a budget, and wanted as close to the best as I could afford. Thankfully, there were these high-value options that I could select from, which provided performance that was very close the the top and cost in my budget range. I felt the same way about the arm and cartridges that I selected. Over-achievers all. That is the way to make the most out of your analog buck. Sometimes you have to go into the experimental products from smaller companies, in order to get a price/performance ratio like this, because they sell at lower cost to try to break into the market. It can be risky, but it can yield great sonic rewards for the money, if you make the right decisions.

Hi Artar1:" first the cartridge, I could then work backwards to the tonearm, followed by the turntable and finally the phono stage. Yeah! That’s it I thought smugly; I will get my answers at last. "
You are right:the cartridge is the first item to choose in the analog rig, you have to put all the money you can where the music is: at the source/phono cartridge. There is nothing that you can do for that the signal that comes from the cartridge has an improvement: in a perfect world ( that does not exist ) the better that you can do it is: not degraded that signal.
Then you have to choose the best tonearm that match with that cartridge for to try to have the less degraded signal. Next the phono stage ( this link is critical ( well all is critical )and can do more harm to the signal than a TT ), TT, cables and platform.
For others reasons but Mr. Hirsh was right on this subject.
About turntables, I know that for many of you a " beautiful view " is important but I think is more important the performance of that turntables, fortunatelly today we have a lot of turntables for to do a good choice: SME ( the 10 ( for example ) price/performance ratio is exellent ), Transrotor, Avid, Acoustic Signature, Brinhkman, Acoustic Solid, VPI, Wilson benesch, Thorens, Roksan, Eurolab, Basis, etc...., all these and many more has models for differents budgets.
I recomended to you that take a look to Acoustic Siganature, btw take a look to everyone.
Now, if all of you are serious about MUSIC the only Denon cartridge in what you can think is the : DLS1. The 103, 103R,103S, are really a mediocre ( very bad ) performers at any price in front of: MUSIC reproduction.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

I have to agree with Tom here. I had a budget (that I blew all to hell) and wanted to get the best bang for the buck. By being able to build my own plinth for the Teres, I saved a considerable amount of money. And I am extremely happy with the end result. I also believe in the "rules of analog" as Tom states them: TT, then arm, then cartridge. I understand why you wanted to do the cartridge first, but I went the opposite direction. That's all a matter of opinion. But, so is everything else here.

So I started with the Teres, 2 different Rega based arms, and the 103r. The more I listen to other setups with high dollar arms and cartridges, the more I am amazed by how good this low-dollar rig sounds. I've got a buddy with a full-blown LP12 setup. He can't believe how much better my rig sounds, considering I spent about 25% of what he did. And our electronics are very similar, both of us being of the tube school. I think his next purchase will be a mass-loaded table, after he takes a beating on the Linn. He has finally seen the light!

I know people who spend shitloads of money on their analog rigs. I'm trying not to. In fact, the best "analog" purchase I made was my Supratek. More so than the RCM, which I also believe is essential. As much as I hate to say it, that may be the only thing I agree with Romy, I mean Raul about, the phono stage being critical. It has made more difference than other single change so far.

While I will one day have a Schroeder arm, the only other thing I may change is my platter. And only if I build one myself. The 103r stays, not because it's only $250, but because I like the way it sounds. If it's good enough for Frank Schroeder (one of these days I'm going to get a keyboard with an umlat), it's good enough for me! I think I value Frank's opinion a little more than Romy's, I mean Raul's. I'm not an idiot, I know there are better cartridges out there, but the important thing is, once again, I like the way it SOUNDS, and it is a great VALUE. Of course, if the right deal comes along, well, this could all be changed!

Like Dave said, it's a great time to be in the market for a new turntable. There are some great choices out there for relatively small money. And for various reasons we have definite TT "camps" here on the Gon who champion what we like and think others will too. Without this advice here, I probably would not have what equiptment I do, and spent more time and money finding what I like. And dealing with people like CB & TM makes it even easier and more enjoyable. Do you think any of the "big" TT companies care about your opinion? VPI excluded, as I know they go out of their way for their customers. The nice thing is, they let us have a lot of money left over to spend on vinyl. After all, without the black plastic, what's the point?

It is a simple question to answer, and can be easily proved.

Pick your favorite $5k cartridge and tonearm, and put them on a Rega 3 or some other $500 turntable. Play it.

Then put a RB250 and a DL103R($250 + $250 = $500) on a $5k turntable, and see which sounds better, musically. And, which makes more difference.

The prices are the same, but on one system the cartridge/tonearm is maximized(and turntable minimized), and on the other the turntable is maximized(and cartridge/tonearm minimized).

The question of "order of importance" will then be solved.

I'll leave the conclusions to whoever tries it.

I've done this many many times, and am 100% confident of the outcome.