Nottingham Space Deck 294

I have a 294 with shelter 901.I had a regular spacedeck with shelter 501.The 294 seems to trounce the old set-up:speed stability seems better,problem records seem to play more smoothly,surface noise greatly reduced(maybe cartridge has alot to do with that),overall it seems much more like Cd playback,in a good way,less analog artifacts,just more trouble free music.
Plus it looks absolutely killer in person.

I have the Space Deck 294 set up with the 12" Ace Space arm and the new Dynavector 17D3.

This set up was selected based on several auditions of various deck/arm/cartridge combo's put together by Jay at Audio Revelation (an audiogon merchant).

This combo suited my ears, equipment and budget best.

Regards,

Jeff

I recently auditioned a 294 and a standard Spacedeck side by side.

The 294 was fitted with the 12" Ace arm and a Koetsu rosewood cartridge. The Spacedeck was fitted with the 9" Space Arm and a Lyra cartridge (not exactly sure which one, but I could figure it out if you really need to know).

I originally came into the store to compare the Spacedeck with the Horizon. I didn't realize the Horizon is being discontinued.

I listened to the Spacedeck first, and it sounded excellent. For someone who's not really listened to vinyl in many years, it was an eye (and ear!) opening experience. I guess I just didn't realize how much fuller vinyl sounds compared to CD in a high-end system. The test LP was jazz -Coltrane (but not one I had familiarity with). I was sold... I thought.

Then I saw the 294 and inquired about it. We played the same LP on the 294 and it sounded like a whole different record. It was just a much fuller reproduction. The base was deeper and more defined. The sound was bigger and more musical, more forward sounding. And there was more dimension, definition and air around the instruments. It was just a bigger sound all around.

We then played the same LP back on the standard Spacedeck one more time. The music sounded much leaner -a bit more dry, not as defined. I think the Spacedeck is a beautiful sounding table (don't get me wrong!). Hell, I was ready to buy it before I walked in the door.

But having listened to the 294 and the Spacedeck side by side, my purchasing decision was made. I ordered the 294 on the spot, but with a slightly less expensive Koetsu Black.

I think it's important to note that the same electronic (tubes)/speaker setup was used.

Though, I'm sure the cartridge pairings biased the sound, and ultimate my decision. I really didn't plan to go with such an expensive cartridge. But the sound was so liquid and warm, I couldn't resist.

[Fellow audiogoners know.... this stuff's like heroin.]

I have Maggies (3.6) and big VTL tubes at home. I feel confident that the 294 with the Koetsu Black is going to raise my listening pleasure to a whole new level.

Yes, it's an awesome turntable. Make sure you try it without its plinth, it is spectacularly better without it if you put it on a solid shelf.

I agree with Jbcortes. I have not personally heard the 294, but have owned two versions of the Spacedeck. I now have the newer version with the taller platter and Ace-Space arm. This table benefits greatly from placing it on a Neuance shelf instead of the faux marble platform. Two more things I have found that improve the performance are the Boston Audio Mat-1 and moving the motor to the front as opposed to the left rear.

Oz