Teres still the way to go?

Hi guys,

I've been a bit of a "tease" over the past months with the Serac, and for this I apologize.

The seemingly trivial act of finishing the base has taken me down more than one path. I've met some interesting folks along the way - including the fellow who does the clear coat finishing on Avalon speakers - someone whom I lovingly refer to as "Dr. Paint".

The past six months have presented me with more than one distraction - not related to things "Galibier", and hence my mis-estimation of progress in taking the Serac project over the finish line.

I'm in sunny Phoenix, Arizona this weekend, taking care of some family business - to return to the Front Range of Colorado on Tuesday.

Before leaving for Phoenix, I finalized the Serac's finishing concept which will allow me to complete the base drawings and submit them to my machinist.

After going round and round, my first idea will be implemented - a 7 layer affair with the same shape as the Gavia and Stelvio, with the even numbered layers being 1/8" (about 3mm) narrower - so that the base gives the appearance of having 3 channels routed around it.

It's a nice architectural feature and neatly sidesteps the problem of what to do with the MDF seams. Sealing and hiding MDF seams on a flush surface is quite the challenge - having caused the folks at Avalon Acoustics no end of grief as they worked to finish their 4" thick speaker baffles.

Getting to the point where the ledges formed by these channels could take paint properly was the main challenge, but now that we've resolved this, we're good to go.

I'll update the Serac product page until we actually have the bases in progress - perhaps 10 days from now.

Thanks for your patience. It wasn't my intent to drag this project on for so long.

I have some fascinating prototyping whirling through my head, and bringing the Serac to physical reality has been the necessary pre-condition for this work.

Cheers,
Thom

Thanks, Thom. I'm looking forward to seeing (and hearing) the Serac. I think that the Serac (w/ Anvil), tonearm, and recommended cartridge may be an interesting offering to me. We'll have to see if our timelines match up. I do have to say that I did love my Teres and would gladly own one again. IMHO, it was a beautiful thing to see and hear.

Tom -
Can you give us a realistic date when the Serac will be ready for sale? Please be realistic as there are many people who are waiting for it (I have been waiting for over one year). Will you be showing a prototype at the HE Show in NYC?

Hi Aronsss,

I don't want to hijack this thread, and I promise to update the Serac status in the coming week.

Having just returned from family business in Phoenix, my first task is to submit the final Serac drawings to my CNC woodworker. He is one of my few dependable suppliers (in terms of delivering on time), so I should have some reliable estimates to publish in the next 7 days.

It has not been my intention to be such a "tease" about this project, and I truly appreciate your patience.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Thom,

You are welcome to post any information in this thread you see fit. I am looking for options to weigh against a Teres 255 and the Serac is something I will consider. I like the idea of buying an analog "system" (components with proven synergy) and the Serac (w/ Anvil, arm, and appropriate cartridge) may hit my sweet spot in terms of price / performance.

Like I've mentioned before, I've loved my Teres (and also loved the reaction of my guests who first gaze upon the wood base & lead-loaded acrylic platter). It will be a difficult decision when the time comes to pull the trigger.