Brinkman Balance Comparisons

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

Andrew, it was my pleasure having you over this past Monday. Please feel free to stop by again (and anyone else in the tri-satte area) for some music, good chat and some fine espresso!!! Let's try to get a group together for the May stereophile show???

RWD (Rick)