I am completely sympathetic! I, too, am looking into my next table and have considered all three of these in addition to Avid and Acoustic Signature. It is most likely that all of these tables are capable of great performance. I have owned a very good suspended table in the past but I have come to realize that these are not the best at dynamics and "the startle factor". (I borrowed that phrase because I think it really sums up what my preference is for vinyl playback.) If the listener tends to like warmer,perhaps a bit smooth playback then I would think a suspended table would be in order. So, like you, I'm going down the nonsuspended, high mass road.
I also give the nod to the 3 tables you mentioned because I think they are the best value around when you compare all of the features included in the price. But my personal preference is for the arm and bearing to be tightly coupled. So that ruled out the Redpoint for me. Another preference I have is for mounting multiple arms and here again I think these tables get the nod because the armboards can easily be manufactured and the pivoting feature makes for setup ease.
So I'm down to Galibier and Teres. Here is where the dilemma really begins to kick in and like you said it is virtually impossible to hear both table in my system in my room. Again I'm left to comparisons based on research and not listening sessions. Both of these tables imploy a simpler is better approach if we skip the motor controllers for now. The biggest difference is in the materials chosen. I'm also an amateur woodworker so I really appreciate the look and craftsmanship of the Teres tables. I have no issue with movement of the wood because I'm satisfied that the process that Chris uses in making the Teres tables is sufficient to keep any movement to a minimum. I'm also put at ease by the great effort that Chris goes to to stand behind what he makes.
As I said before, my preferences in sonics tend to the dynamic and what many would refer to as bright. I reject this because bright is exactly how I would characterize all live music I have ever heard. Anyway, that leads me to think that Thom's approach using all metal may yield sonics closer to what I would prefer. But I also admit that this is at best a guess on my part.
Now, just a brief comment on the motor controller that is used by Teres and some others. I'm an engineer, EE and CS, and I do have some concerns with a feedback loop controller. It does seem that the one in question is very well implemented, but again my preference is for simple is best.
So here we are Richard. Both on a similar quest and both facing the same obstacles.
I also give the nod to the 3 tables you mentioned because I think they are the best value around when you compare all of the features included in the price. But my personal preference is for the arm and bearing to be tightly coupled. So that ruled out the Redpoint for me. Another preference I have is for mounting multiple arms and here again I think these tables get the nod because the armboards can easily be manufactured and the pivoting feature makes for setup ease.
So I'm down to Galibier and Teres. Here is where the dilemma really begins to kick in and like you said it is virtually impossible to hear both table in my system in my room. Again I'm left to comparisons based on research and not listening sessions. Both of these tables imploy a simpler is better approach if we skip the motor controllers for now. The biggest difference is in the materials chosen. I'm also an amateur woodworker so I really appreciate the look and craftsmanship of the Teres tables. I have no issue with movement of the wood because I'm satisfied that the process that Chris uses in making the Teres tables is sufficient to keep any movement to a minimum. I'm also put at ease by the great effort that Chris goes to to stand behind what he makes.
As I said before, my preferences in sonics tend to the dynamic and what many would refer to as bright. I reject this because bright is exactly how I would characterize all live music I have ever heard. Anyway, that leads me to think that Thom's approach using all metal may yield sonics closer to what I would prefer. But I also admit that this is at best a guess on my part.
Now, just a brief comment on the motor controller that is used by Teres and some others. I'm an engineer, EE and CS, and I do have some concerns with a feedback loop controller. It does seem that the one in question is very well implemented, but again my preference is for simple is best.
So here we are Richard. Both on a similar quest and both facing the same obstacles.