Teres, Galibier and Redpoint

I truly enjoyed my Linn sound, but I am now being drawn to a more neutral/open sound, ....
I love the big soundstage with slam as well.

Xagwell,

It sounds like you want it all! ;-)

As between ZYX and Shelter, the ZYX lineup is more neutral and open. Neutrality and seamlessness are the first things everyone notices when they first hear one, and that impression does not fade with time. No colorations, no bloat, no artificial blooming of notes.

The ZYX soundstage has more depth, width and perceivable dimensions. ZYX's also image better than Shelters. This is partly due to their more modern stylus profile and partly due to the excellent channel separation of the coil windings.

OTOH, at comparable price points (901 vs. R100 Fuji, 90x vs. Airy 3) the Shelter cartridge will have more raw slam. The Shelter's leading edge transients will be more aggressive. Bass power goes to the Shelter, bass tunefulness and texture go to the ZYX.

OTOOH, if you can afford a UNIverse then the contest is over. Shelter does not make a cartridge that comes anywhere close, in any sonic parameter.

TriPlanar VII and SME V are both great arms. TriPlanar gives you the advantage of easy height adjustment, which many find critical with modern styli. SME gives you superb build and finish, and easier fine-tuning of VTF. Search for my thread called "TriPlanar Tips" if you want a sense of what living with that arm is like.

Good luck and happy hunting,
Doug

Xagwell, I replaced my VPI several years back with my earlier version Redpoint/Galbier. Prior to the VPI I had an LP12. What I found when I switched to the Galbier is the background was much quieter and images were more solid. There was a huge improvement in dynamics both micro and macro. I listen to mostly jazz as well and feel the Galibier is far superior to my previous tables. I am not familiar with the Avid and Brinkman tables and can not comment on how they may compare.

Dear Xagwell: Dmailer already answer ( first hand ) your question about sonics on TTs. All those TTs are very similar performers and maybe the choice will have to do with: which one like you more, manufacturer support, price, build quality, guarantee, it can accomodate 2-3 tonearms?, etc, etc. I like the Galibier all metal model.

About the cartridges this choice have to make along with the tonearm. Like Doug post the TP and SME are very good designs, I prefer the SME V and mate very well with the 90X, Sumiko Celebration, Dynavector XV-1 or Allaerts cartridges ( these ones are really special cartridges ). Btw, the Sumiko Celebration was voiced using the SME tonearm so it will be a great match with it. About the Shelter cartridges Doug post: +++++ " The Shelter's leading edge transients will be more aggressive ... " +++++, well in my experience this is a " real music " characteristic and a plus to have at home.

It is nice to " see " that you care too about the Phonopreamp. You have to go here too with almost " the best " one because the Phonopreamp is the most/critical/important subject in the quality music sound analog reproduction.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Thanks for your feedback. As usual this community really cares and is encouraging when one is attempting to ascend the equipment ladder. SO you may be shocked by the following: As you know I am currently auditioning a Rhea. Just for kicks I un-packed my old JVC 301 amp (with built in equalizer) and Yamaha P 320 TT with a Grado Black. For those who don't know this equipment is approx 28 yrs old. This was my first equipment post undergrad. I also had a pair of Graphyx SP-10 speakers. anyway using the Rhea I A/B the LP-12/Glider and Yamaha/Grado Black. I also A/B the LS-15 and JVC. Folks, truly the JVC/Yamaha, on one hand was fantastically better than I ever remembered, and on the other hand something I can never return to because I have become a critical listener. Given the sound of the JVC/Yamaha there is no way I would spend what I spend now on this stuff. That stated people in general are not critical listeners, and this is one of the biggest challenges to high end audio. So let's go forth and infect peolple with our passion for the music, and the prices will go down for all of us. I will now surrender the podium.

Xagwell,

This is a bit OT but I can assure you that you will be able to improve on the already great sound of the Rhea with some tube rolling should you decide to keep that Rhea.

I'm currently trying to put together a Denver trip to hear both the Galibier and Teres. Thom and I have started the process. I'm still trying to contact Chris. The excitement is really building around my house!