Thuchan is already well past Porsche...... his 4 wheel mobile toy just have to wait for snow to melt and spring to come. And with money - its all relative. |
I think its nuts spending that kind of scratch on a turntable. Go get a Porsche and burn off some of that energy... |
good idea! I have been in Vegas three years ago after the RMFA in Denver having met Thomas there too- but this time it should be a bit quiter.
I heard there should be an upcoming analogue event in Portugal (analogue only), maybe before I touch down in Westfalia I have a short look at this event. Looks like I have to visit a travel agency first - oh dear! |
Do make a round trip - start in Vegas and cross the Pacific to Melbourne/Singapore. After that, Westfalia may no longer be worth the - short - trip..... and you should see (hear ?) TW's "nuit noire" in Vegas anyhow - don't you? |
Melbourne, Singapur, Las Vegas or Herne - where to go first?
the problem is all those important guys are at CES right now and lay foundations for the analogue future, hopefully...
as I am very much addicted to the Far East I will start with Melbourne ! |
And if you want to test Ebm's comment for its sonically content - TW's place is only a 3-4 hour drive from your door.............. |
Before making the investment I would just make a trip to either Singapore or down under to audition the Continuum in person. Be sure that - with contenders around or not - will be set-up according to manufacturer's specs.
Get an empirical first hand impression.
The money spent for that listening trip will be very worthwhile and a wise investment anyhow. And either spot is much more comfortable regarding climate right now..... |
Continuum is the best but TW BLACK NIGHT With battery power supply is close!! |
Fcrowder, you may not get too much enlightment, how should you - but I do like your positive attitude. Stay positive anyhow... |
|
I have tried to track through some of your prior posts to determine your basis for this statement and I must admit that the answer has eluded me. Could you enlighten me?
Thanks. |
TW BLACK NIGHT WITH GRAHAM PHANTOM 2 IS THE BEST!! |
Thucham is already in TT bliss; I mean who can ever recall having listened to, and in a great system, tables such as the SX8000, SX8000 II, Naka......
So what have we got here? Great air bearing, great air bearing and vacuum platter, the best (only besides the smaller Naka?) self centering TT with space technology speed control (from the 80's).
What TT's offered any significant technological advance over those 3 ? Except better bearings, better etc....nothing really new? we would all like to know about them.
Does the Continuum in that context makes sense, does it have true technological innovations applied to TT's?
To contemplate the idea of having any Continuum ontop of the other 3 is just marvelous, to do it is out of this world. If Thuchan takes the step and gets one he will probably be the only man on earth to talk with authority about the differences.
Hey Thuchan any spare seats in that room? |
Halcro, pls. let me add good stands for the TT, amps etc. -meaningly vibration control and decoupling treatments! |
I have heard both the Rockport Sirius III and the Continuum Caliburn in the same room and system (but different speakers) sounding rather poorly.
A 'great' turntable is no guarantee of great sound. The other fundamentals must be in place firstly IMO:-
Good room
Good speakers suited particularly for the room
Good amplification suited particularly for the speakers |
All I can tell you is that I've had my Caliburn (an original early sample) for almost 5 years now and as a reviewer I beat the crap out of it. Not on purpose. It's just that I'm busy comparing things and stopping and starting it (etc.). So in all that time I can tell you that it has been flawless. Nothing has gone wrong with it and nothing has broke either. Continuum has a tech on-call should anything go wrong but so far all that's been done was an "oil change" and a belt change after 3 years--and the belt really didn't need changing. It's built beautifully. Other owners report similar reliability though one I know had a bearing issue that needed to be resolved but the tech flew out and fixed it pronto.
I hope Andy has the System V at CES or soon thereafter. There's a guy in N.H. who has a System III Sirius on one side of his rack and a Caliburn on the other both connected to the Boulder 2008....lucky guy.
They are both great 'tables but different. I don't think anything is built and engineered like the Rockport, which is not meant as a slam against the Continuum, which after 5 years now rivals the System III Sirius in terms of build quality....
I have come to not favor air bearing arms....just my preference.
Skeptic visit but leave understanding what the Caliburn does. It's not subtle. I wish i could say that other tables I've reviewed come close (other than the Rockport, which is on the same field but different) but nothing else does so far.
But I've NEVER said the Caliburn was "the best turntable in the world." I think that kind of talk is really lame. I haven't heard every turntable and there is no one "best." In my experience there are a few among the best. However my personal favorite for now is the Caliburn...
The people who have bought them (more than you might imagine) including a reviewer for TAS who visited before buying, are all very happy with them. One guy as a Ferrari or two but says the Caliburn is his favorite material possession. It is mine. I feel very lucky to have it. Given the current price, I wouldn't be able to afford it even at the accommodation price for a cosmetic 3rd, which is what mine is. -Fremer (off to CES) |
Just a thought, the only other table that Michael Fremer feels is in the same league as the Continuum is the Rockport Sirius III. I mention this because he has almost singlehandedly created the market for this table. But for his favorable comments, few would have been sold. I would add that Andy Payor is very close to introducing the Sirius V which will probably be in the same price ballpark as the Continuum and will incorporate a number of improvements over the Sirius III. |
Don't know about that. But here are some pricier options:
http://www.higherfi.com/ttlist/ttlist.htm |
Before all TTs are listed here, pls. wait two more days.
But what is so special with the Saskia except of good looking? |
Don't confuse me, some say: LP12...the 1. Generation, touched from Ivor before leaving the factory... |
|
The best Turntable is ALWAYS the next... |
Narrod and Elinor, of course you are right too and I do see from your statements you have quite an understanding of analogue business in this segment.
we might see some improvements, also on the design side, in this week. So it is an ongoing journey... |
Rushton, thanks for your advise. I will give Jay a call and tell you about my assessment.
Peter, you are right. I am interested in the technology and maybe Continuum offers more than the simple modern attempts which are in my eyes more a less a marketing campaingn in the top notch.
It is not about spending money but looking for convincing technolgy solutions.
I doubt whether the magnetic field of the Caliburn is an advantage or disadvantage? Some people tend to avoid magnetic solutions due to their possible impact on the cartridge. |
At the top level you are chosing ergonomics, looks, pride of ownership, and touch and feel. I think with your experience you know that all tables have some sonic signature.
Thuchan, I believe it would be a grand addition to your collection. Also, you should own a Walker for some time to hear what ultra mass designs can accomplish. I would go after the Continuum, the new Goldmund and put a deposit with Andy Payer for the new Rockport.
Peter |
I agree with Narrod and Rushton, but I will add that even if you auditioned the top tier of tables simultaneously, with the same cartridge in each, with the same electronics, with the same stand, it would be impossible to make precise comparisons since tracking force, anti-skate, VTA, etc would probably never be exactly the same on all tables. I have heard most of the top tables at shows dating back to 1996 and I have found something to admire in all of them including the Continuum. Could I say with certainty which one is best? No. Only which one I prefer and that could change depending on the system and cartridge in use. If you are going to spend mega $$ on a table and you want to make the right decision, seek out a dealer or an owner, buy a plane ticket, and take some of your favorite LPs and listen for as long as they will permit.
Best of Luck |
There's simply no "best" turntable. I've heard the Caliburn and it is wonderful. We all don't like the same sound so calling any the "best" makes no sense.
Wendell |
The only group I've heard about who have had the Caliburn and several top turntable competitors in the same system for comparison is the Singapore Audio Group. I believe their members have had an opportunity to hear the Continuum Caliburn, Clearaudio Statement, Kuzma and Walker Audio Proscenium all within the same system (in the home of the Audio Group's president), but not necessarily all at the same time.
Check with Jay at Jay Audio, but remember that he is a Walker dealer:
JAY AUDIO
jay@jayaudio.com
65+67550646
Anyone who has not made the comparison of the turntables at this level of performance in the same system will just be guessing, including me.
. |
