Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?

Dear lohanimal,
You are very right on stating that people are different and also their listening customs vary quite much. I do think that when we have practiced a good time in our hobby, also having enjoyed good systems, our ears get trained being enabled to hear the overtones too while at the same time some frequence rages in the communication and higher areas may get lost.
I am very open to other tables as you may see on my AudioCirc page. I am not listening to my R 80 only. And there are other excellent desings out there. For me it is always an excitement comparing good tables and experimenting with different phono chains. Nevertheless I am always puzzled how a 60 year old design is able to beat some of the modern 100.000 tables.

Hi Thucan
Love your audiocirc page. You're clearly a man with comprehensive listening experience (and tastes...)
Whilst not 'on topic' I noticed that you have a Dartzeel Amp. I've heard quite a few Dartzeel amps, and they get rave reviews the world over, but to me - I just don't like their sound. My point being that our tastes reflect our differences in physiology often, and they then manifest themselves in the choices we make.
I've never had a chance to hear an EMT 927, but I have heard restored Garrards and Lenco's and they sound so full of life, and I think they are astonishing. I don't think one ought to limit a belief in the brilliance of a product as a result of age. Caterham 7's are amongst the best track racing cars and they were made in the 60's. The Concorde hasn't been repeated despite being made in the 70's without the computers we have now. A hand made George Daniels watch is still more accurate than a quartz mechanism.
I have a yet to be restored EMT 950 - and it makes nearly all modern super decks look like toys - they have considered and integrated every aspect of the design. Maybe the 927 is like the 'great white shark' evolution never required it to be altered.
There are few true groundbreaking products out there - most new products are sales driven. The 927 was designed to go into stations and not require the EMT engineers going out to fix them. Nowadays things are designed to be fussy, and constantly repaired - maybe a sign o' the times.
Anyway - I am now going to ogle at your website

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

It would be instructive to audition the VPI DD.  I have never heard quieter. Spooky.....  Absolute speed accurate..  To ME....a bargain priced masterpiece.

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.