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High mass vs Low Mass Turntables - Sound difference?

As I am recently back playing with analog gear after some 15 years away, I thought I would ask the long time experts here about the two major camps of record players -- high vs low mass-loaded-type tables...

For example, an equivalently priced VPI table (say a Classic, Aries or Prime) versus a Rega RP8/10 or equivalent Funk Firm table...  the design philosophies are so different ... one built like a tank, the other like a lightweight sports car...

Just wondering if the folks here have had direct experience with such or similar tables, and what have been your experiences and sense of strengths and weaknesses of these two different types of tables.



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avanti1960
1,500 posts
 
Let me axe this-
which design is less likely to be affected by environmental vibration?  I am guessing it would be the high mass designs because I own one and it is never affected by vibration. 
I see lots of people with Regas that need to mount them to the wall.     


tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I may have heard an earlier version cartridge.  I think a benz on the RP 8 would be special
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,897 posts
 
@avanti1960 ,

Right on man!

This is the main issue here. Not High mass vs. low mass.. it is first and foremost how any TT is decoupled from it's environment!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,874 posts
 
You would say that, slaw! Your fantastic Townshend Rock 7 table has the excellent Seismic Pod isolators ;-) .
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
the RP8 has pretty incredible bass.  I could not believe it to be honest.
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