Brinkman Balance Comparisons

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???

Rwd,

I was listening to a Nottingham Hyperspace w. a SME V. I used a Koetsu Urushi with the Groove and a VdH Condor w. a custom phono stage. An excellent table at its price point in its time. Once the Urushi broke in there was magic that made me stop listening to CD. Once the Urushi broke (cleaning woman) I went through a bunch of changes. Then I went after total neutrality which the Raven has in spades. I strongly suggest you look at the phono stage as an integral part of your analogue setup. People disagree but my suggestion is that cartridges are too often judged out of context as the phono stage is part of the synergy. I will report more later on this but not for now. I know people who love the XV-1s and those who don't . Very polar opinions. I believe this is phono stage dependant. The new Tri Planar is lower mass than the original VII. The Graham can be adjusted from my understanding. Hope I help you with your decision.

Thanks Dgad! I have a Rhae phono stage and it has the ability to select a laod for the cartridge. I garee it is very helpful!!!

Rick,

It was great listening to you system the other day. I was impressed with the detail, soundstage and separation of instruments.

As we discussed, I think the Raven AC is a very good bet. The high torque motor will be the closest thing to a direct drive which are supposed to be a very good design. Plus tthe bearing design and weight of the platter are optimum and produce some necessary drag. Latly, the materials are exotic enough. Many different substances are used to create enough impedance mistmatches to produce very effective isolation. Whta impressed me was Fremer's account of the "tap test".

Anyway, the Raven Ac is the table I would like to have.

andrew