ELP Laser Turntable & Trickle Down

Interestingly, it was the promise of this TT that got me back "into" audio. After college, I usually had some good sounding consumer gear, Kenwood seperates, Rotel reciever, Phillips, garrard, Dual TT, and the like.) Around 1985, I picked up a copy of Stereophile or Absolute Sounds at this newstand on W8th St in NY (or thereabouts) and read about this new laser TT technology. I was so fascinated that I started to read Sphile and AS semi-regularly to get updates about the "soon-come" availability of this cool device. Of course, I didnt realize at the time it would cost $10K - but by the time I did, I was re-hooked on other aspects of Hi-Fi-dom. Namely, vinyl and single ended.

This stroll down memory lane brought to you by:

Mike :)

I guess I just don't get it... of course, I've never heard one so I may just be an idiot with an unfounded opinion.

Is record wear really that big of a concern anymore? I know I don't concern myself with it. Advances in stylus geometry have come a long way in the last 20 years. With a properly aligned micro-ridge stylus like the one on my Dynavector 20XL, I don't think about it a bit!

Another part of me, perhaps naively, sees this as too much a part of the digital realm... it's certainly not "pure analog" the ELP is pulling. If I want high-rez digital, there are other, cheaper options.

For $10k I can put together one hell of a proper traditional analog rig.

Vinyladdict, The ELP is not digital. It is analog. The issue is not record where, although you can read lower in the groove to avoid damage previously caused by styli. The issue is the laser having no mass and tracing the groove accurately.

Also, you must not have priced turntables, arms, and cartridges lately.

I stand corrected after some research - it is, indeed analog. I still don't get it though... and while I admit you CAN spend $10k+ on analog gear (hell, I could spend $100k... well, I couldn't, but you get my point) I still stand my original statement that $10k will by one hell of an analog rig.

Vinyladdict, I think this is an entirely different issue. Of course, you can get a great tt, arm, and cartridge for $10K but the ELP is not outrageously expensive. I do have a Shindo Labs vinyl system that costs a good deal more and have had the chance to buy an ELP at a very good price but still couldn't pull the trigger. I know too many who have had them in their systems and still listen to other tts.

Actually, I wonder if ELP were redesigned to be digital, would it perform better. I doubt if we will ever find out.