Teres, Galibier and Redpoint

Dan...my congratulations again on a very difficult decision. As I said to you this morning, your decision has helped me also in focusing on my vinyl journey as well.

Hey Sirspeedy...so well put....about those feeling of being 10 years old and getting something you longed for!!!! For me at 10 it was the Marx "Fort Apache" set. Now I want the Schroder/Teres/Galibier/Tri-Planer toy set!!! But seriously, I think we all owe a special thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread and especially to Dan_ed for taking the lead with this special trip. I suspect this is not over....no...I suspect this thread will continue just like a great novel. WE are just finished with one chapter. There are many more.......there's the "dougdeacon" and "cello" and "Xsheaffer" and so on, chapters......and also my chapter. I still need to decide on a new TT, arm (shoot, why sooooooo long for the Schroder) and new cartridge.

Again, Dan, thanks and congratulations!!!!!

Spencer, I heard only the top of the line Stelvio. I'll be purchasing a Gavia, most likely with the Gavia platter. I know that Thom has a PVC platter that is the lowest cost and lightest weight platter. I've had something similar on a Basis so I know about where this PVC platter falls in performance. The Gavia is step up in price and includes the new TPI graphite platter surface as well as some added internal dampening. I believe this platter has all of the increased bass that the PVC would have with the added dynamics of the graphite surface. If I remember correctly Thom likens the improvement from the PVC to the Gavia platteer as that of a cartridge upgrad. The next step up adds about 25 lbs of brass internally to the Gavia. I'm sure this adds a bit more to the sound, but I could always add that platter later as an upgrade.

There is also a difference in armboards. The first is much like the arm seen on Teres tables, except not wood, which have a hole under the arm to allow mounting of arms with the cables that attach underneath. Then there is a new armboard with a massive hunk of metal under where the arm mounts. I don't know if this is solid or contains some dampening materials. This armboard works easily with arms that have the cables attached on the side.

Both the Gavia and Stelvio come with two mount points. All you need is the additional armboard. I think that the Stelvio plinth also adds some increased dampening. As far s I can tell there is an upgrade path all the way up through the full-on Stelvio. There is a new Serac table coming soon for a real cost effective application. Probably won't have the Anvil and additional arm mounts. I'm sure Thom will chime in at some point and give a better accounting of the differences.

Doug, I've already guessed I'll have to schlep this thing down for a bit of fun. I wouldn't be as concerned about moving a big hunk of metal as I would a big hunk of wood. (We can work out the schlepping later.) Considering we'd be listening with just about everything the same it would be a telling lasagnushi weekend!

So, you don't concur with Larry on the UNI/2.2? I have to admit is has been a bit of a pickle trying to determine what cartridges to settle on for the 2.2. I'd like to get something that works well on either arm. I really liked the XV-1s and the UNI surprised me at how well it handles most any kind of music. Nick mentioned liking some of the new Benz cartridges quite a bit. I've been seriously considering Transfiguration as well. As you know I do listen to mostly classic/alternative rock, but I'm also amassing a pretty good collection of jazz and mild country. Heck, I've even got 30-40 classical LP's. Throw in some blues and it becomes a pretty wide range of music.

Now I've got to build a stand to handle this hunk!

Dan,
Thanks for the explanation behind your thinking. Makes lots of sense.
As far as the cartridge choice goes, I've got a mix of music similar to yours. What that translates to is a mix of 200g & 45rpm audiofeasts and $1 garage sale beaters with seeds in the double-LP spine. What I'm driving at is that one of the best things about my Airy 3S-SB is the way it works through surface noise on less-than-ideal LPs. Compared to most other cartridges I've heard, it makes those albums sound their best. Considering that much of this music is never going to be re-released by Classic Records, etc., it's a point worth adding to your decision criteria. If you take Doug's comment above about the 3 mating better than the 2 w/your arms,... well conclude what you like. We like our own gear, right?
Also, I'd to join in thanking everyone on this thread. All input pointing us to mutual vinyl nirvana is much appreciated. Cheers,
Spencer

Great stuff keeps coming on this fun thread!

Rick,you must be getting pumped up,by now.Your table should be a fun purchasing decision too.BTW-As a child,I was dying for the Mattel "Bulldog Tank".Circa 1960.Never got one,as it cost 15 bucks,at the time.Yet my dad did get me a really nice alternative "Ideal"(the mfgr)tank.Funny,it may not have been motorized,like the "Bulldog",but shot missiles,and would surely be illegal to sell today.I loved it!

Well,on my own analog front,I did get back my Cosmos,from upgrade,recently.It sat in it's box for the last month,in my den.Unfortunately my Rowland has been out for service,and it is still with Rowland.
I have been a bit bummed out by the service length of the amp(well over two months as of now)so let my Cosmos just sit in the box.Well,as my whole family is coming over tomorrow for my son's med school grad party,my wife basically stated that if I did not set up the Cosmos,and get it into my listening room,and out of her den,it would be "toast".
I painfully(by myself,and with a tennis injury)unpacked the Cosmos and then inspected it.Sadly(in a good way)it looked great,yet it is incredibly frustrating to not be able to hear music again.Even my CD's!!
I DO envy(yet am really happy for all of you)those who's biggest concern is whether or not to upgrade or tweak their equipment.I'd be happy just to hear a noisey(in Joisey)LP these days.

Best!

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Dan,
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If I may pre-empt Doug (Doug, with your permission), he will not have any encouraging and supportive words for you regarding the Graham 2.2.
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All of the ZYX's are excellent cartridges in their price ranges, but the issue is more with the 2.2's ability to handle them rather than the other way around.
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The UNIverse seems to be quite happy with what ever tonearm it lands on and the XV1-s is a great cartridge as well (but for my money not quite the joy that one gets from the UNIverse). The Airy3 does not do so well on the Graham 2.2, but the Airy2 works well with the 2.2 but lacks so much that the Airy3 has to offer when mounted on the right arm.
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For me, the no-brainer is to get a UNIverse as your next cartridge (providing that the budget allows) and you will be fine wherever you end up with regards to tonearms.
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If life were perfect, I would own a Schroder Reference and a Tri-Planar VII (I am half way there). After that, I would want to have 3 cartridges: UNIverse, Olympus, and an XV-1s. Put any combination of the above on either the best Teres or Galibier and you can start focusing on your pre, amp, speakers or wires.
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I hope life gets a bit drier for you and the family.
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Rgds,
Larry
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