Teres vs VPI, SME, Origin Live, etc.

Just so that everyone here knows my situation with regard to the products tested recently and referred to here I offer the following. I do not own nor plan to buy a Teres turntable. I have been critical of Teres in another thread but overall believe it to be a superior design. I love the 360 as it incorporates many of the features alluded to in Raul's preferences. It is a glorious sounding table IMHO. I don't own or plan to own an Illustrious but have a lot of experience with one. I don't own a Schroder, Triplanar or Graham arm nor do I plan on purchasing one. I don't own a ZYX or Lyra cartridge and don't plan on purchasing one of these either. I don't have a horse in this race or a dog in this fight. Group pressure simply didn't exist here and I'm about as immune to it as one gets. Of course, I really couldn't be insulting of any of the gear we listened to because it's all really good and much better than my own. I will concede that perhaps this group likes/seeks similar end results and if this is a bias then every person that posts to these threads are biased. We know what we want. It's just how do we get there from here. I was invited to this event because kind people believed it would be an experience I would enjoy and appreciate. I enjoyed myself more during this long weekend than I ever have before in auditioning any other audio components. I appreciate what I was privelidged to participate in because I know how rare this opportunity really was. My personal analog gear consists of a Linn LP12/Ittok/Sumiko Blue Point Special. Obviously I'm not in the same league as the other attendees but I've been in this hobby longer than most, never bailed on the vinyl format and have listened to most of the upper end analog front ends available. I may have many personal defects but my hearing is very good and my audio memory is better than most. In my system and with my income I would order a Schroder 2 and purchase a Sumiko Celebration and mount it on my Linn. I know that this group would approve of my decisions since these items would be a huge leap from where I am now and clearly on the same path toward an eventual Reference and Universe. They would all be glad for me just as I am glad for them with their own personal choices that I firmly believe are on the right path toward audio excellence. I think the only opinions I expressed that were negative was my low opinion of the Illustrious and having a much higher opinion of the other arms over the Graham. That's really not an insult to the Graham at all as it's a fine arm. To my ears I liked what I liked and honestly tried to give an unbiased opinion. Comments like needing to rest a piece of vinyl for 12 to 24 hours before repeating a play would require one to rely on their audio memory over an immediate A/B or either have multiple copies of the same recording. Even then we all know that records of later manufacture are likely less likely to be a good as an earlier pressing which would lead to even more, "yeah, but's". We did do extended listening with each combination after critical evaluation. Sure, we didn't have the luxury of having something playing for a couple of weeks and then make a change. Even that method is subject to criticism as we all know with the "your ears got used to it" blather. Believe what you want to believe but the group tried really hard to be honest in my estimation. Doug owns a Triplanar and talked about the merits of the Schroder. Steve owns a Triplanar and ordered a Schroder after this audition and probably will keep his current arm. One man is buying a 360 and another is likely going to do a custom upgrade of his Teres from its current configuration. Still, another is jumping off the audio treadmill and saying enough is enough. I'm staying put where I am even though everything we auditioned is a giant leap up from where I am.

...when I start in this forum I post that the Shelther 901 was on the high fidelity side and not as a high end top performer, Doug was angry with my statement but 3 to 4 months later he agree on that subject.

That's pretty funny. When exactly did I express this "anger". Please post a link to this ferocious post, I want to read it again. (If you have trouble finding it, try a search of your imagination.)

I always feel that I'm in a fight against you all.

That's your choice Raul, it's what you enjoy.

Example: You just criticized the 901. On another thread today I criticized the 901 and you jumped in to defend it! Here's a link if anybody cares to see another example of your attention-whoring hypocrisy:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1080416376&openflup&33&4#33

You obviously care nothing about audio or helping others, or you wouldn't call the 901 a mediocre cartridge here while encouraging someone to buy it over there. How truly sad.

Dear Lugnut: I'm glad to read your post and to know your un-biased opinion: great.

Now, why do you think Hanjiang ask for a profesional reviews on what he want to buy: TT/tonearm/cartridge?

Certainly not because the fast A/B evaluations.

Any of you really think that ( only an example ) Mr. Fremer or Mr. Atkinson do their profesional reviews in a reviewers meeting: ¡ hey, come on, come to my house for a new review audio item !. No, all of them do it individually and in the long run, not 30 seconds evaluation here.

I'm not saying that these profesional reviewers are better than any of you: what I'm saying is that their methodology and review rules are very far from a " 30 seconds evaluation ", and that brings a great value evaluation against your methodology that brings poor value evaluation.

If all of you are really satisfied with your evaluation methodology, it's fine for me, no problem, but that does not means is right.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

You know, I think he does this just to piss you guys off. Romy was much more fun!

Regards and enjoy the music.

I think(know)Lugnut makes some very good points.It is in his best interest,and others,to borrow from his playbook.We will ALL benefit from a philosophy of not taking every comment as GOSPEL.NONE of us,even the "Experts"(hobbyists,actually)can categorically have answers to every aspect of how to coax the best sound from every component,or even most.Even when we think we understand the physics involved.Metal vs acrylic or wood.

Since everything is STRICTLY a matter of taste,why should an innocent opinion,even an eroneous one(like Doug's opinion of termination breaks,that happen to be remedied with "MILITARY" connectors on the 2.2)be of such consequence to illicit a nasty response from some of you!!

Even my "BAITING" of Doug,with my last comment,is done with "Tongue firmly implanted in cheek",though I DO believe it.SO WHAT!!I come to this forum for the pleasure of interaction,and a potential learning experience.Sometimes good entertainment.I believe a genious like Einstein passed away years ago.Though,I do pass his old house,in Princeton,every few weeks,when going to a favorite collectors watering hole(Princeton Record Exchange).That's the closest I expect to come to ALL KNOWING PHILOSOPHY!!Except for my DAD,and third year MED student son.Boy do I love,and respect those two!!!

What REALLY turns me off,and why I'm considering dropping out of "Forum Life",though,that would be no great loss,is the REDICULOUS BABYISH/SPOILED TIT FOR TAT crap that happens too FRIGGIN(I really don't want to use that word)often.As in this series of posts.

I don't believe the original question was meant to create animosity amongst you guys.Those who take the high road,I respect you.But,in all seriousness WHO CARES if someone doesn't like or appreciate another's component of choice,or point of view.How can that possibly change the way we perceive our own system's sound.Once again,who cares.

I do not list my system,and try not to mention all of my components,when attempting to contribute to a thread.I do this for a reason.I really don't think anyone has an inkling what my system sounds like,EVEN IF THEY HAVE OWNED some of the same components.All I care about is how my stuff sounds TO ME!!

I welcome controversial disagreement,and take it as just plain "fun criticism".I may be wrong in a disagreement,on a topic,and probably AM,on occassions.I,also deserve to make my point!!The only time I feel the need to be somewhat assertive is if the opposing party gives me the impression of
I am NO boyscout,but really respect MANY people,some who I disagree with at times.I don't always agree with DOUG,but know that he is EXTREMELY knowledgeable,and entitled to his opinions.Why should anyone be FLAT OUT RUDE to other audiobuffs,when we are such a SMALL HOBBY.It is a blast that some others can,at least,articulate an opinion we want to read,agree with or not.I doubt if many of you have cancelled your subscriptions to the "MAINSTREAM" mags.They SUCK lately (as in,REALLY SUCK)!!I remember when I loved finding one in my mailbox.One that I did not go through in 15 minutes.Anyone remember those days?

Yes, there are those people who "GET OFF" from creating animosity.To me they are yutz's.They don't deserve my response,though sometimes I fall prey.People like RAUL,to me,are good spirited,and entitled to be wrong(or right).Yes I find some comments worthy of a GOOD TUSSLE.BUT THEY ADD TO THE PERSONALITY OF THIS FORUM.I don't have to agree with them,but I won't get REALLY MEAN SPIRITED unless an underhanded slur is thrown my way.We NEED each other,if at least,for the missing stimulation I used to get from controversial,and musically inspiring "LONG GONE" AUDIO JOURNALISM!!

Now let's hold hands and sing around the campfire.DOUG,please pass RAUL a marshmellow.A "crispy one,not a burnt one"!!

FAREWELL ALL!!