Terres TT why a mystery

My experience is that most dealers and salespeople are VERY lazy and are only familiar with the gear that they carry. They may know a little bit about specific products that are covered in Stereophile, TAS, etc... but that's about it. Very few dealers keep up to date, visit audio websites like Agon, AA, etc... to see what the latest tweak, product or cable is. While i can understand the "carpenter's roof leaks / shoemakers kids go barefoot" syndrome, audio gear IS their livelihood and you would think that they would at least want to stay on top of things to a reasonable extent. As mentioned though, my experience shows that this is typically NOT the case.

As such, why would anyone BUT a dedicated "vinylphile" know about the Teres ? While it was mentioned here and there in the press and on the net, only an avid analogue enthusiast would pay attention to something like that. Unless a dealer is into vinyl in a BIG way or has a lot of inquiries about a specific product, chances are, they'll never even know that it existed. There are TONS of small companies with good products that never make it into the mainstream. That does not make them "bad", it only means that one might have to worry about parts availability, service and possible resale value sometime down the road. If the company ends up going out of business, you could really end up with something that is both "rare" and a "boat-anchor" at the same time. Sean
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I agree with Sean's points above. This is a low production specialty product that has only been going for a few years. It doesn't use dealer networks, so it can keep the price down. It is factory-only, primarily via internet.

While it hasn't gotten many magazine riviews, It did get one earlier this year in Listener Magazine, that was fantastic. And all of the owner's reviews are glowing also.

I own a Teres Model 245, and I am very happy with it. I wouldn't trade it for the top of the line from any other TT maker, except maybe Walker or Rockport. I am very serious about my TT performance, and use only vinyl in my system, nothing else. This TT really gets it.

As far as your dealer goes, the "joke" is on him. A Teres TT will blow anything he's got right off the shelf. He can't sell one, because it's factory direct, so he makes disparaging remarks. This is a typical sales ploy, and he probably doesn't even know what a Teres is. Likely a shoe salesman, that got into audio(no slur to any shoe salesmen out there). But you don't have to know much about audio to put some stuff on your shelves and sell it to the general public. Good dealers know what they are talking about.

If you search Audiogon archives, AA archives, and maybe some other sites, you will read owner reports of this TT, and I have never read anything bad about this TT. I listen to one every day, and I have only accolades to report about it.

So it's not really a "mystery". It's only a great TT, that is factory-direct and reasonably priced, that alot of other TT makers and their dealers wish would go away.

If you want the very best sound for your money, and you can't spend $30k, the Teres is your table, my friend.

I own the 245 model and would not trade it for any other.The table is that good.I would not worry about what others think(ie dealers). How did you find out about Teres?
Ask yourself that question.

I would like to add that the original Teres Project was designed and engineered in the public domain, on the internet, by some of the best DIY analog enthusiasts in the world. An international effort to produce the best TT available at any price. All of the design information is publicly available. Anything that may happen to this TT can be repaired by any competent technician, with the information available on the web. Or you could do it yourself. The platter, bearing, base, and arm board will last virtually forever. The only potential problems would come from the motor assembly. The motor is available directly from the Swiss manufacturer. The controller info is on the web.

Teres looks like it is only getting more and more popular, and has a good outlook. It is a greater likelihood that this TT may cause other TT makers to go out of business, than the other way around. This is a company on its way up. I'd say get in early before the prices go up.