2. analog
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Another turntable

Hello everybody 

I am an analog lover (no CD nor streaming at all). For about 20 years now I have a TW Acustic Raven AC, with 2 SME 3012-R tonearms. One for the stereo and one for the monos. The TW evolved with the battery PSU, and heavy platter form the Black Night, and the 3 motors in a round shape.

I listen mainly classical music and a bit of jazz music. 
I read many threads on forum and TW is never talked about. My TTIs 20 years old now and as I am turning old too, maybe I look for what would be my last TT ( the famous « last one » before being retired with not enough money for climbing the audiophile mountain again.

I have no preferences for any technology as long as it makes good music. I can buy used or vintage (if professionally restored). 
I can go up to 20000 € max. I need the possibility of 2 arms, or one classical and enough room for a Viv Lab.

My little list is 

- Kuzma Red 2 or Stabi M

- Verdier La Platine

-SME 20 or an old 30

- Brinkmann 

-Shoppered TD124 ?

-   What else ?

Thanks for your suggestions. As you understand I live in Europe. How do you quote TW now in regards of these pretenders ? 

senza
senza OP
80 posts
 

The bearing is not as old as the TT. I changed it when I bought the 20kg BN platter, less than 10years ago.

I emailed S. Yorke for his SYD9 prices and fab delay. Here is his complete answer pasted here :

« Hi,

No, sorry, I don’t do that audiophile stuff anymore. »

End of the story. I asked him to explain a bit. No answer yet.

Über Technics seems to be a world in its own. Too many pros and cons. The partisans of the old SP10 vs the partisans of the new ones. The different plinths and how they sound…
All that buzz always kept me on the side of this road. But that’s me.

pani
1,219 posts
 

 

I have owned all the good Gararrds (Loricraft etc), Lenco (PTP Solid, Jean Nantais),

Technics SP-10 Mk3, Platine Verdier, all EMTs.

The only few which sounded really good to my ears are these

SME 30/

Micro Seiki SX-8000

Hartvig TT signature 

http://hartvigaudio.com/products/hartvig-tt-evolution

Avid Acutus Reference

Most other TTs I personally liked were either too expensive or too cheap :-)

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

Like @pani , I myself have owned Linn Belt Drive, Garrard 401 ( Martin Bastin Overhaul ) PTP Solid 9 , and a Variety of Vintage DD TT's SP10 MkII, DP-80, TTS 8000, Aurex SR510, and I have listened to recently throughout the past year Post Covid a SP10 R and prior to Covid a SME and a Orbe.

I lean heavily toward the DD Sonic Signature and the Joy of all the inbuilt speed stability.   

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

Just got an Avid Ingenium....beautiful turntable and all I'll ever need. 2 grand.....with cartridge already mounted. Will upgrade mdf platter to the aluminum one at some point, but In no hurry. Avid is good bang for the buck.

pani
1,219 posts
 

@pindac , I meant, after owning many idler and direct drives, I personally prefer some of the belt drives the best when it comes to high resolution playback without getting sterile. I don't hear people talking about Hartvig turntables here but it is a very good TT. Better than a Kuzma Stabi M to start with.

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