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Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?

Having owned many good turntables in my audiophile life I am still wondering why not one of the modern designs of the last 20 years is able to beat the sound qualities of an EMT 927.
New designs may offer some advantages like multiple armboards, more than one motor or additional vibration measurements etc. but regarding the sound quality the EMT is unbeatable!
What is the real reason behind this as the machine is nearly 60 years old, including the pre-versions like the R-80?
thuchan
tomwh
150 posts
 
Everyone likes to use car examples.  The problem is they are seldom correct.  Correct me if I am wrong, we are going to compare a Caterham 7 to a current formula 1 car.

The reason we do not have the totality kick ass turntable for a reasonable price is the all mighty dollar/pound etc.  And it does not help that most people could give a rats ass about music.

That being said when it comes to audio electronics old is where it is. Direct heated triodes/transformers/chokes simple circuits and we have music that sounds like music.

I would love to hear a 927.  I am building my own turntables and the best so far are large mass platters and high torque motors.  These are heavy silk thread driven.  Probably have to try idler before its over.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
It would be instructive to audition the VPI DD.  I have never heard quieter. Spooky.....  Absolute speed accurate..  To ME....a bargain priced masterpiece.
lohanimal
659 posts
 
Caterham 7's were never F1 cars. That said the original Ford GT40 from the 60's was faster around a track than the 00's incarnation.
lohanimal
659 posts
 
BTW tom - if you have a high torque motor, and heavy platter - that torque won't be transferred to the platter with a silk thread - a bit like sprinting on ice
tomwh
150 posts
 
The car example was related to things in the past are better than things today.  Your example of a car pretty much built for the race track vs a car which meets smog,  idles, gets pretty good gas mileage etc etc etc is not a good comparison.  A better comparison would be a 67 big block vette vs the new high dollar monster.  The only thing the old one does better is bring back memories.

Now if you want to talk audio some old quad 57's with tube amps and a 927  with a denon 103 cart, maybe we can have a example of midrange perfection.

In regards to the ice example I am using 14 guage silk thread with belt tack stuff and/or rosen. I have thought about your concern and will experiment with different materials.  But with the silk thread you can really hear a difference with the higher torque motor.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
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