Sound differences between Galibier and Teres

Cmk: What did the Teres wood platter sound like to you in contrast to the acrylic or the Galibier ?

Well the wood platter sounded very diffuse, whereas the acrylic (lead filled) and the Galibier produced much more stable soundstaging.

I think they are more alike than not. I find them both to be very accurate to what is on the LP and both have a very low noise floor. It is very hard for us to know what a relaxed, softer sound means to you. When I first read that I thought that perhaps you are looking at the wrong tables, but that is based on what I consider relaxed and soft. I don't consider either of these tables relaxed and soft but Doug makes excellent points about changing the sound with belts.

Cmk's advice is spot on. If you are considering investing in either of these table you should really try to visit Denver and hear both for yourself. I don't agree that the acrylic platters sound better than the wood, but that is personal preference.

Cmk,

I don't doubt you heard the differences you described, but why attribute them specifically to the platters? Were the other components in the Galibier and Teres setups you auditioned all the same?

If you compared Thom's and Chris's systems in CO, you were comparing apples and oranges. Few valid, table-specific conclusions could be drawn from that. Dan_Ed made the trip you suggested, heard the differences you described and bought a Galibier. Then he visited us and learned that the diffuse-ness and softness he heard in Chris's setup had nothing to do with the turntables. In fact, Dan had to replace his entire system to begin to approach the performance of ours. The only component he didn't have to replace was his TT. The Gavia and the 320 are far more similar than different, as I said above.

Dan and I have traded a number of visits. We use identical tonearms, the same cartridge set up by the same guy, the same amplification, the same wire and we've been able to hear fairly similar speakers. My setup images and soundstages at least as well as his, and I think he'd agree. Until he replaced his amplification and wire, his Gavia was actually miles *behind* our 320 in every sonic parameter you could name - but that had nothing to do with the tables.

I think what you heard was due to differences in components or in the cartridge setups.

Doug
You could be entirely correct, but I was merely describing what I heard at that one demo, that's why I suggested he make a trip to Denver and listen to both TTs before deciding. Maybe that particular demo I heard wasn't representative, I don't know. Chris played one track on the acrylic, then switched the platter to the wood, same TT/arm/cart.

If Opus goes and actually sees/hears the systems, he should be able to get a feel for the TTs, but more importantly, know the people and what goes into their TTs, which I think is more valuable.

What you describe about the systems after the sources, I agree fully. There's no point having the best TT only the muck up the sound through the amplification/speakers.

Perhaps on my next trip to the US, I could pay you a visit?