I need some turntable guidance

mijostyn, very very rare for a right hemisphere Wernicke's aphasia and of course there are cases of mixed dominance that spread unilateral functions in unexpected ways. However, you did IMHO state a tutorial about sound as clearly in all cases right-left desiccation for language centers...not in my clinical experience. Having said that I am excited about getting my SOTA and Kuzma; I will check into the Windfeld Ti so thank you once again. I have really no knowledge of the Linn, but I am impressed with the recent upgrades at SOTA, ie., motor changes and added aircraft aluminum underpinning; and even though my platform is way solid...it doesn't hurt to have a suspension system! My system is all ARC and Vandersteen 5As, so any other ideas about cartridges would be greatly appreciated. With all respect our brains no matter how they are individually organized are the most amazing part of any audiophile's system!! 

Dear @stringreen  : "  Everyone has their opinions/biases...""

that's rigth but here we have not only some one biased through an audio item in specific but a true fanatic that really die for it.

The LP12 people are fanatics with no common sense about, it's the same with the ET tonearms.

Every one is free to post whatever he wants.

In my case and if I was hunting for a new TT I never will think or have in my mind the mediocrity of that Linn TT or the ET tonearm and I said that with all respect to the audio items owners of it.

The history/tales never end when we are talking with fanatics.

In the other side I would like to ask  to  @wemfan  if he already has or took a choice on the TT/tonearm/cartridge for his audio system?, because this is the main subject in the OP. @wemfan  could you share with us your choices?. Thank's in advance.

R.

jperry

1,554 posts 10-08-2019 2:12pm 
Holy Cow!!

I think the OP wanted some turntable advice, not a debate on the merits of Linn turntables

True, JPerry!  I don't think OP wanted this debate on which of these gunslingers has a bigger package, either.  Way too much personal argument in AG these days.  In this case, it took longer than many threads before the personal arguments started.

People, please stop arguing and calling each other names and help each other!

@rauliruegas  You have posted a number of interesting and on point posts in the past. Unfortunately, this time your point about the LP12 is not accurate. Once again, we have someone who has not heard a new version of the table extrapolating about what they would expect from the LP12 of yore...given what experience??? I expected more. 
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I do suggest getting some recent experience ( preferably in your own system and with a Akurate or Klimax model) before naysaying~

I think wemfan tuned out a while ago. I was just trying to keep him from making a big mistake and buying a Linn. Daveyf wants to make sure everybody else has to spend money getting their Linn modified. rauliruegas, I like you better every day. High Five buddy! 
Jaym759, I suppose I did miss-state that and you are right especially when it comes to the most amazing part of our systems. I seems that it is very difficult for the audiophile community to understand how much our brains are in control of the experience. Just our emotional state at the time can change our perception of sound quality. As you are well aware our ears are connected to our eyes so that they stay on target but I think our eyes can modify our audio experience. Why all those fancy light shows at concerts? Why does my system sound better when I am happy.
There was a period when I was very depressed and I stopped listening to music. I didn't turn the system on for 6 months. It sounded like crap. I read book after book after book trying to take my brain somewhere else.
Enough of that.
Yes, SOTA is on a roll with speed control, a magnetic bearing which should further reduce rumble and the heavier sub chassis. I have to have mine updated. All my Tables the Cosmos and the SME 30/12 are suspended even though I have a concrete floor. Sound vibrates everything and is transmitted through everything except a perfect vacuum
and IMHO suspended turntables sound better because of better isolation.
Unless you want to spend ridiculous money for something like a Lyra Atlas or a Clearaudio Goldfinger the Windfeld Ti is the one. It runs in that crowd and I feel comfortable saying that there is no moving coil cartridge that tracks better. It breezed through the HiFi News test record and the Clearaudio DaVinci could not make it through without a stutter at the end.
I did not mention other great cartridges like the Koetsu's, Air Tight's and the Ortofon Anna Diamond because they are all very low compliance cartridges that will not work well in your arm without adding a lot of weight. There are other cartridges like the Kiseki Purple heart and higher compliance Sound Smiths that might work well but I have no experience with them. Do let us know what you do and give us a review!

Mike