Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?

Dear Lohanimal,
you're right with your description of our learning path. I wouldn't say I have seen (and listened to) all the "big tables" but many have been in my listening room and all had some positive sides and negative aspects. BTW I do love some other fine tables and still keep them but the EMT is the greatist artist among them. Yes, it is timing, focus and much more the ability to transport the dynamics. I don't mean the typical pressure some idlers are very typical of and do impress more by dynamics than by musicality. It is the combination of both you may reach whith a well balanced machine like the EMT 927.

And the guys with their Thorens say the same thing. And the guys with their Technics SP10. And with their Garrards. The modern tables ALL missed the boat. Yet they come over to a true, modern state of the art table in a cost no object system and walk away shaking their heads.

I could say all I want that my 67 Camaro will take a new Corvette on a twisty road. Or my Boss 302 will take a Viper. But wishing and dreaming does not make it so. Likewise, this thread is full of wishing and dreaming.

Not all super expensive current turntables are great. Many are jokes. Well, most are jokes at the crazy price they ask. But some current great ones really are great, and none of the idlers or belt/idlers are going to touch the very best. True, lots of jokers are making current turntables. Know-nothing experimenters. Audio is unfortunately more full of these guys than ever. They proliferate in the turntable, tonearm, cable, and speaker markets. But, again, the few really good modern turntables are not going to be bettered by the old stuff.

Omsed, I guess I thought like you until I heard the JN Lenco Classic, not even the Reference that I have coming.

Omsed,

I own a modern high performance table, the Basis Debut V with vacuum clamp and outboard motor control unit, and I like it very much. However, I have also heard Lenco, Garrard and Thorens tables that sound VERY good too,with different strengths and weaknesses vis-a-vis the Debut and other tables. The sound from these tables is very lively, upfront and "present," though they do have more rumble and a less refined sound. You take your pick of compromises with all tables. The closest to a have it all table I have heard is the BIG and EXPENSIVE Audionote table that has three 2 hp motors and three huge power supplies for the motors, plus a speed control unit. The size of the power supplies and the PRICE were non-starters for me.

.....And the guys with their Lencos, and the guys with their Micro-Seikis, .........on and on with the great discoveries of how great the old stuff was. Funny all the best sounding turntable makers who knew the most went out of business. Bad luck I guess.

Definitely the love of these old things with all their moving parts has nothing to do with that they allow the owner to rebuild them and become "one with them", that they are nostalgia inducing, and that they are often unobtainium. Silly of me to wonder that.