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Another turntable

Hello everybody 

I am an analog lover (no CD nor streaming at all). For about 20 years now I have a TW Acustic Raven AC, with 2 SME 3012-R tonearms. One for the stereo and one for the monos. The TW evolved with the battery PSU, and heavy platter form the Black Night, and the 3 motors in a round shape.

I listen mainly classical music and a bit of jazz music. 
I read many threads on forum and TW is never talked about. My TTIs 20 years old now and as I am turning old too, maybe I look for what would be my last TT ( the famous « last one » before being retired with not enough money for climbing the audiophile mountain again.

I have no preferences for any technology as long as it makes good music. I can buy used or vintage (if professionally restored). 
I can go up to 20000 € max. I need the possibility of 2 arms, or one classical and enough room for a Viv Lab.

My little list is 

- Kuzma Red 2 or Stabi M

- Verdier La Platine

-SME 20 or an old 30

- Brinkmann 

-Shoppered TD124 ?

-   What else ?

Thanks for your suggestions. As you understand I live in Europe. How do you quote TW now in regards of these pretenders ? 

senza
astolfor's avatar
astolfor
317 posts
 

I would look at Acoustic Signature either a Typhoon or Montana.

The typhoon is about 60-65% there in musicality, dynamics and transparency from a TechDas Air Force one premium which I own, the Montana is around 75%.

I know that all this very subjective, there are many combinations of tonearms, cartridges.

yes the TechDas is an incredible tt, but the typhoon and Montana are really good.

the SME are also great tables but you already mentioned them

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

Apologies to the OP, I was working with a 2000 euro budget and no the up to          20 000 euro as stated.

If you are not to far from Aachen in Germany, their is a good place local to this city to experience quite a range of TT's at the mid to upper end of your budget. 

rossb
185 posts
 

Have a look at the PTP Solid 9 and 12 turntables from the Netherlands.

I had a succession of high end turntables - top spec Linn LP12, AMG Viella, and Kuzma Stabi Ref/4Point. The PTP Solid 9 was better than all of them, and also less expensive.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,093 posts
 

Dear @senza : I think that the 20/3 needs no presentation for you and it's a superb TT better than MS or almost all named here and at the same level of the top Acoustic Signature but if still today in production you have an other great alternative with the Simon Yorke TT.

 

I don't like any of the tonearms you own and for very good reasons but never mind because that's me.

 

Try to use 9"-10" tonearms instead 12", for very good reasons too.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

dover
2,247 posts
 

Thanks for your answers and opinions.I didn’t think Origin Live could be that good. Interesting.I’m a bit surprised nobody talked about  Verdier or SME nor Brinkmann that are the more often talked about in this price range.

I sold my Platine Verdier to an SME owner ( SME 20/2 ). It was a significant upgrade in transparency and low level resolution.

Despite this for me the Platine Verdier had flaws, particularly regarding speed stability, noisy motor, and it got hosed off by my spare TT - a re-engineered Garrard 301.

Now the Platine Verdier owner has purchased a Brinkmann Balance. 

If you go with SME you need to get at least the 20/3 or 30/.. to get a better TT than your Raven.

I also have a friend with a Kuzma M, it is excellent, very low noise floor.

Personally, based on extensive listening I would be looking at the Brinkman Balance or Kuzma M. Note that the Kuzma M can only run 1 tonearm. The Brinkmann can do 2.

As far as the Kuzma R goes, the reviews are misleading. The platter and motor are both smaller than the M model. Its a great deck for the money, but the M is significantly better in my view.

 

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