Brinkman Balance Comparisons

HI, Matt,

Shindo is outstanding. I just acquired the SME 30 in my own system after hearing the Shindo and comparisons are, as stated, across systems and are probably limited in validity due to the built in comprimises of the comparison. I do prefer the SME 30 overall for detail and balance in my own system. I think the thrust of the comments are that the high performance turntables can be similar in performance above a certain price point. I certainly think the Shindo gear is wonderful, but I am entitled to a personal preference based on my own listening. I think you should read the comments in context. Everybody should hear the Shindo gear for themselves, it is a fantastic system, but what is important to listeners might be different especially with different system topologies. I have enormous respect for the Shindo equipment and would recommend it to anybody.
Please don't go ballistic over subjective impressions, they are to be taken as always with a grain of salt and this does not represent an attack of Shindo, which I still admire based on my listening.
The high end is very competitive with a lot of people making unfounded comparisons. I guess I will just stop posting opinions if the result is defensive, I forgot that when you get into the higher price componenets it becomes a small world.

I have the Brinkmann LaGrange and Brinkmann arm and have listened to numerous cartridges with it, including the Brinkmann EMT, the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, and Van den Hul Colibri. (I also used the arm and cartridge with a Brinkmann Balance for a time; I tried the Triplanar with that table and went for the Brinkmann instead) Neither I nor anyone else has ever heard the "strange midrange hump" Vetterone refers to--of course, I use a different preamp (Shindo Catherine, as well as an Audiotrium 23 step up) and different amps, speakers and cables, and have a different room (and ears). I have never heard the Bernings and the MBL 111s but based on published information about the Berning's output impedance and the MBL's impedance one might suspect some frequency anomalies centered around 1000hz (which is not to say they don't sound good together)

Do you prefer the lagrange to the balance?

I havent heard any mid range hump with mine ;) With the correct loading its neutrality is startling.

I just looked at (and listened to) the TW Raven AC yesterday. Boy...it is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!!!
A small footprint and it does not take up too much real estate, simple to use and set up (I am not too sure why it's so expensive...guess it's the material?), and although it has a DC motor it uses a filter or controller plugged into your wall so not batteries!!

The sound? Well this is where it is difficult to evaluate.
I was listening to different speakers, per-amp, amp, cartridge, arm etc....and I felt the sound was clear, clean and a bit (and I mean bit) too heavy on the bottom.
Not too sure where that was coming from. However, compared to my ARIES/10.5 arm I have to believe this is a winning table (along with the Glaibier-Glavia).
Oh, the decisions......!!!!!!!!!

Do you prefer the lagrange to the balance

The LaGrange and Balance are slightly different, but I got the LaGrange because I wanted to run two arms. I am not unhappy with my decision