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Torqueo - any info or updates?

Dear fellow Audio hobbyists,

just entered the forum, so a quick intro: Erik, 43 years old, living in the Netherlands. Have enjoyed a decent TT, amplifier and box setup, but now looking to take the next step.

This next step, is very much looking at great audio quality but also the looks. And I now ended up at these beautiful machines from Torqueo in Italy (torqueo-audio.it). I really REALLY like their design, but there are so little reviews, or even info, available on their assortment. With price tags that are pretty steep for my standards, of course one would first like to listen to a setup and just 'see' in real life, but no distributor in the Netherlands.

So my question:

- does anyone have experience with Torqueo equipment, and what are your findings? 
- do you own a Torqueo? Would love to hear about your setup and experiences?

Thanks everyone, greatly appreciate any response!

Best, Erik 

ek1977
lewm
13,744 posts
 
Separating the tonearm from the plinth has many issues.  You can find a whole thread on this subject, if you search here using the word "Copernicus". I and everyone else who posted there said about all that one can say about arm pods, up and down, sometimes heatedly.

As regards the Feickert, that is a very well done belt-drive turntable. (And I think it is much less expensive than the Torqueo.)  Whereas the Torqueo is an idler-drive, or so it seems from photos. Those two types are fundamentally different in sonic signature, although all good turntable designers strive to have no sonic signature of any kind. Nevertheless, the drive system makes an inevitable difference per se.  While you wait to try out a Torqueo in person, you might want to acquaint yourself with different drive types, so you get an idea what you personally might like best. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
If you like idler then you could search for fully restored Garrard 301 by AudioGrail.  

Hammertone is my favorite finishing.





lewm
13,744 posts
 
There are many companies that do a superb job resurrecting and improving upon the original Garrard 301 or the 401.  This is also true of the Lenco idler.  My personal bias is in favor of a tweaked Lenco over a Garrard, but what I like makes no difference here.  I agree the OP should investigate these examples to see if he likes the sound of an idler.
fsellet
32 posts
 
Torqueo is based on a Rek-O-Kut Rondine design. Erik, idlers can be wonderful but do come with drawbacks. You can read online about Art Dudley's experiments with idlers. Among other  things, he renovated a ROK. This one should be way above any DIY project...
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
@lewm, did you get out of the wrong side of bed today? I gave the OP my opinion which does not change with the weather. Actually 
The OP does not like the looks of the Sota which is also fine. He wants something which looks cooler. In that case I suggest an Avid Actus. No wood but a good turntable. He might also look at the Transrotor Turntables. Actually there are a host of cool looking turntables out there.
I find it interesting that the market is bent on coming up with the coolest looking turntable instead of the coolest performing one. But hey, everyone is entitled to spend their money any old way they want and I am entitled to have my own opinion whether you like it or not.
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