Basis Turntables: Worth it or Ripoff?

Thanks Larry,
This is a problem in audio. Many of us have summarily not liked something based on what we've read or know or heard without listening to said product.  I'm sure that everyone has done this at one time or another.  Many actually do this all the time which is why they are constantly chasing their tails and keeping AG in business (so thanks for that, lol).

I'm nothing close to an engineer, but I do know what I like to hear without listening to sales folks for even friends.  I've been looking at TT's again this week, thinking I may get another lesser set up than what I had in the past.  I have been told that direct drive is now best, because they can control the vibrations better.  I've been told that this arm is better than that arm and that this bearing will sound better than that one.  It's really interesting to hear folks tell me what sounds best, yet only two stores so far have told me to come in and audition.  Fidelis in NH and Audio Connection in NJ are the two and both carry a nice array of tables including the Technics.  

I can't afford a Basis this time around, but if I could, I'd still audition it next to the Technics, Acoustic Signature, VPI and the Music Hall/Project tables to name a few.  To me, convenience and sound are the only things I care about.

ctsooner, you should check out SOTA tables if you get a chance. Look at the tonearms the reviewers prefer to use in their systems.

Mike

While I have chosen direct drive due to what I hear when I use good ones compared to good belt-drives, I would be the last to say they necessarily "control vibrations better".  What they do better is keep time.  Constant speed.  But I do recognize that there are excellent examples of turntables using any of the 3 major types of drive system currently available, thanks to the re-emergence of vinyl as a commercial market.

mijostyn, good minds think alike. I've been in touch with them about their rebuilt tables. I have decided to just have my albums that I don't have digitized or can't stream, recorded for me.  It's cheaper in the long run and my server/streamer The Memory Player sounds better than most vinyl I've heard that is under 5k.  I'm blown away at how good it is and they do constant software and hardware updates that are reasonable.  

My friend just got a rebuilt Sapphire.  If I were to have gotten back into the race, it would be the Acoustic Signature, Technics, VPI, Sota and not sure who else.  

As for reviewers, I'm friends with a few.  Very close friend just had his first one published in TAS last month (NAD M10).  I don't really go with what they say or do as they all have special systems to review with. They get their gear for free or industry cost (much of the time) as it's free advertising for companies.  Many have been very aggressive in getting reviewers to use their gear publicly.  In private many I know are using Vandersteen speakers, which I find ironic.  Sorry to get off topic.

Bottom line is that Basis is a great TT company who makes as exacting a table IRT tolerances as anyone on the planet.  Even their belts are specially made and the cost reflects it.  I will tell you that it makes an audible difference. Not huge, but it does even on the older 1400 model with the rebuilt Rega 300 arms they came with.

I remember looking at Basis turntables some years ago. Then last year I checked up on them again and found that the prices appear to have been increased tremendously.