Raven Black Night


First sneak pic of the new reference turntable from TW Acustic.

I can't see any belt from the pic. The copper platter reminds me of some heavy weight Micro Seiki from bygone years.

http://www.i-fidelity.net/uploads/pics/ran.jpg
jaspert
Wow. A Saskia with a Schroder tonearm would be less. I'm sure it's a great table, but the Raven AC is looking more like a bargain in this light. I guess I should wait to see what the actual price is before I pass judgement.
Sharing the same sentiment with Sonofjim here. It will be interesting to see the details and specifics later.
The table will retail for around $40K. It has some very novel features. I didn't want to post as it would come across as advertising but since some are asking let me go for it. What is a forum for but to share information. That is how I find out about a lot of new product before it is "formally released".

The motor is a different implementation that what has been done in the past. The motor is 3 motors in an individual housing w. both a/c & d/c battery supplied power. Imagine the motors looking like a second baby turntable to the side of the table. Due to the new motor implementation and more massive platter the speed stability is incredible. I would assume the Black Night has increased detail, more top end air and an increase in dynamics. From what I understand the platter doesn't lose speed for several revolutions even after the motor is turned off. It also includes newly designed isolation feet for the turntable that are proprietary and made in house. The plinth is made from a solid block of anodized aluminum. The platter is mostly copper and weighs (if I remember correctly) 50 lbs. The table has something that I consider critical for most VTA tweekers out there. VTA is adjustable from the turntable with zero variation in HTA while adjusting VTA. This for me is the “cats meow”.
It is hard to imagine something being better than the Raven AC but the Black Night is so over engineered that it leaves me lusting. Maybe one day but this is an off year for me. My focus is room treatements, and little doodads (spelling?)
Aluminum plinth, 50# platter, baterry powered motor. I'm no expert but it seems to be taking on a little more similarity to the Galibier tables (esp. Stelvio)which is the other table I'm considering as a real option. Just my simple minded observation.