Brinkman Balance Comparisons

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

Rick,

The Raven definitely does not have too much bass. If you hear a bass hump it will either be the tonearm match with the compliance of the cartridge. It could be the system but that you will know comparing it to a CD source you are familiar with.

I have played with 3 arms on mine and noticed that you hear everything you put into your system. This means that if the arm has a certain signature it will show. If the cartridge exacerbates the signature of the arm then it will show more. More likely than not if the arm is not high enough in mass the bass will become muddy. If the arm and cartridge match is truly synergistic it will shine. I honestly believe that everyone here wondering if the Brinkman Balance, LaGrange, Galiber or TW Acustic are better or worse are spliting hairs as they are all top flight. It is a matter of design and flexibility at this level. The Raven sound can be changed by the addition of a mat. So can the Balance. In the end of the day the bearing is the most critical. The bearing needs to optimized to the weight of the platter etc.

PS the Raven manufacturing process is a full in house operation. Thomas (the designer of the Raven) does not want to farm anything out to reduce cost as this will reduce quality. His bearing and bearing sleaves are made one at a time and matched. This means you can not just replace the bearing. You must replace both if you damage it (it is almost impossible to damage). You should look at the TW website.

Also, there is a lot of exceptional audio equipment that has long waiting list due to the fact that they are made in house and the quality control is at a very high level.

Dgad...thanks for the comments. As I said to Jeff when I was with him at the audition I suspected the pronounced bass was probably from some other source in the system.
Your comment about the bass has eased my mind.
I received a note back form Jeff suggesting a revisit and listen to the table again...he was a gracious host!

He also explained to me....once again, the reason for the cost due to some exotic materials. The table (as I said before) is a winner!

Dagd...what were you listening to before the Raven? What arm/cartridge did you wind up with?

Finally, I suspect I may wait till May and HOPE the Raven along with the Galiberia-Glavia are both at the Stepeophile show for me to see/listen to and then make a decision. Although I am an impetuous kind of guy and I could be persuaded to purchase something sooner?

I am leaning toward this: Raven or Glavia as a table, the arm...a Tri-Planer or Graham and the cartridge a Dynavector XV-1.
Comments anyone???