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What makes for a "great" turntable?

I know that the cartridge, tonearm, phono pre-amp and other upstream components make records clearly sound different, but what is it about different turntables themselves (cartridge and tonearm excluded) that affects the sound? I would guess isolation from external vibrations and rotational accuracy. After this, what else is there that makes a great $30000 turntable sound better than say a much lower priced "good" table?

Also, how significant is the table itself to the resulting sound compared to the other things, ie tonearm, cartridge, phono pre-amp, etc?
128x128mapman
niklasthedolphin
13 posts
 
We disagree to agree.

However, we seem to disagree to disagree that arms and cartridges have moved on in development.

Don't think I find romance in the ultimate sound welcome.
My preference is mastertapes played on 1/2-track 15ips Lyrec machines.
Doesn't get better no matter how much money you throw after TT's, arms and cartridges.

I will agree to disagree that my describtion can be explained with colouration, distortion and loss of information.

The trick is not that the hanging suspended TT moves.
The trick is that what's carrying the LP and doing the grooving is NOT moving.

The TT's you mention can each buy several cars from new.
I did audition two of them.
I chose different.

"dolph"
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Right combination of TT, tonearm and cartridge. Regardless of price. I have a TT set up of $4000, $20000 and $50000 ( retail), The smaller one is extremely satisfactory. In fact I love the sound of the smaller set up. Comparison done using same phono and rest of the system. Speed probably is the least accurate (in comparison) but most musical.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,106 posts
 
Nil, I'm a big advocate of system synergy as the primary key to good sound, be it the phono rig or the whole setup.
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