Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

@terry9 , The fields a magnetic thrust bearing generates are a constant, not oscillating as a motor would do. I wondered if there might be a steady attraction or repulsion so I measured tracking force across the entire record including right at the spindle. It was perfectly constant. The magnets are far enough away that they do not affect the cartridge. As Raul mentions the heavier the platter the higher the resonance frequency and there is no practical way to dampen an air thrust bearing. All you can do is adjust the frequency it resonates at. Magnetic thrust bearings have the same problem but you do not have to worry about air currents and the noise they might make. I have a Sota Cosmos and as far as I can tell it acts just like a solid thrust bearing with but with no noise. I am pretty sure rumble levels are lower but records have a certain amount of built in rumble from very little to horrendous. 

@rauliruegas , Any body in movement that is sprung has a resonance frequency. I think terry9 fails to realize that an air bearing and drive of any nature provide more than enough energy to get things going if the table is not well designed. I do not like air bearings at all including those used in tonearms. The complexity is not necessary and air currents can cause problems if they are aimed in the wrong direction.

I'm not sure what you mean about MF. He is in love with whatever costs the most. It certainly won't be the Motus II. It is too cheap. Peter Ledermann thinks it's the cats meow. It draws my attention because it is the first DD table I know of with a suspension.  

@alexberger , the Lenco L78 is a museum piece. In this day and age it is unlistenable.

@millercarbon , having owned a Rosewood Signature Platinum I can attest to the fact that Koetsus are possibly the worst tracking expensive cartridges made. Fortunately. you have found a Strain Gauge which might be the best tracking cartridge ever made. I listened to one for several hours last weekend, an 810 I believe. 

@safebelayer , I am not entirely sure but Basis may be slipping after AJ's passing. They are starting to make things of questionable benefit to jack the price. Things that I know AJ would not do. I live right around the corner from Basis and spoke with AJ on several occasions. They still make a great turntable but my favorite was the Debut Vacuum.  

@mijostyn what did you think of the Strain gauge cartridge? Did you compare to another SoundSmith cartridge? Is it worth the $$$?

@mijostyn

"Raul mentions the heavier the platter the higher the resonance frequency and there is no practical way to dampen an air thrust bearing. All you can do is adjust the frequency it resonates at"

Not so. A properly designed platter does not resonate. Walker uses lead loaded epoxy, so I understand. Nottingham uses sculpted cast iron topped with carbon composite. TechDAS uses 5 layers of metal, according to their literature. I use sculpted cast iron topped with an inch of graphite, 45 kg, and although each section rings (near 500Hz and 2000Hz) the combination is DEAD.

Further, not all air bearings are created equal. I use porous graphite air bearings, which acts as a final damping filter.

"I think terry9 fails to realize that an air bearing and drive of any nature provide more than enough energy to get things going if the table is not well designed"

Think again. I suggest that you listen to an air TT that has been properly thought out.

Hi @mijostyn ,

Lenco Turntable is a genius piece of Swiss engineering. If you add heavy plinth and upgraded tonearm it over performs any mid priced belt drive turntable.
One of my friends who had used dozens of great turntables used Lenco L70 in the same time with Micro Seiki 1500 and liked it no less than Micro Seiki. In my system Lenco L78 exchanged a decent turntable Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck. Another friend prefered Lenco L75 by miles over his Pro Ject 6.9.

The issue with Lenco and most other vintage is that it is not plug and play. Sadly, a lot of people who use vintage don't have engineering scils and audio experience to get truly good results.

Regards,

Alex

@mijostyn 

After reviewing my earlier posts, I think that you were quite right to criticize them. Sorry for the aggressive tone in my response.