Can a $3K table be among the best out there?


I am on the market for a $3K turntable. I am going back to analog after a number of years so I know little of current market. So, I did some research and stumbled across the Townshend Rock 7 and WT Amadeus tables. I've read a lot about them.. The impression one gets after reading user comments or reviews (like TAS reviews for instance) is that it's hard to get a better table, period. In a world where you can easily spend $4K on a tonearm, I found these statements to be surprising to say the least. What's so special about these turntables, and can anyone comment on the notion that it's hard to beat their performance at any price?
ggavetti
I hate to even consider characterizing anything in such absolute terms as "best," so given the ambiguity of how broad "among the best" can be, I would agree with Ihcho that a good working Thorens TD 124 or a Garrard 301 or 401 could be "among the best." I know a few fans with systems well above $100k in price who use these tables as their preferred vinyl source. The music just seems to have a lot of punch, rhythmic drive and dynamics -- if those qualities are high priorities to a listener, these are great tables.
Robert Greene, who reviewed both the WT Amadeus and the Rock for TAS, tends to review products with innovative, unusual engineering. I may be wrong, but I think those two turntables are the first analog source components he'd reviewed in a very long time. His reference table used to be the Nakamichi, also an engineering outlier. My point is, it's not clear what the frame of reference is for his enthusiasm for those tables.

I own an Amadeus, btw.

You'll notice that Michael Fremer has not reviewed either of them.
after i started this post I was determined to buy an Amadeus. Then I had the idea of calling a friend of mine who in Europe is considered a legend in analogue circles––a genius of an engineer who has no business ambitions but apparently manufactures what many consider the "best" tonearm on the planet and one of the best turntables. anyhow i asked him what he thinks about the amadeus, and he replied that he thinks it's not very good. then when i told him that i was also considering a thorens td-124 he replied that if i am into vintage i am much better off with an empire 598 troubadour. i was lucky to find one in immaculate conditions (with original box, tonearm, cart, etc)...and i am listening to it right now. boy is that good!
Ggavetti-Thanks for sharing the info. This guy designs TT's and arms. I am sure someone in his position, have opinions on how a TT should be designed. It doesn't sound like he agrees with the design philosophy of WT. That said, has he heard one. Perhaps exploring vintage, like your Empire, does have advantages over anything new in the same price range. I don't doubt this, as there is certainly a very strong following. The thing is, many including myself, don't choose to go that route. So then it all comes back to your post of $3K to spend on a TT/arm setup. I wonder which new $3K setups this guy has heard. If not, I can't see where his opinions hold any water. Congrats on your purchase, I'm sure it is a wonderful table. Cheers-Don
Fjn04, well, you know, when you are regarded as having gotten close to perfection (and dedicated your entire life to it), you get somewhat reluctant to accept other philosophies or ideas, especially if you care about measurable parameters like, for instance, the distorsion caused by a tonearm, how much damaging a needle is to the record etc. I have seen that with many other audio artisans who decided to work for themselves and not for the public (that is, who sell a few pieces to make a decent life but certainly don't aspire to get rich). Based on the way he talked about it, he knows WT first-hand and very well. I can say that one of the tables he always raved about of is Teres Audio...but that is certainly not in the $3K range. BTW, I see you like Shindo...I also got the bug (own a Masseto right now).