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Seeking turntable upgrade advice

My current table is a Scoutmaster with JMW9 sig tonearm and all the typical VPI upgrades; my cartridge is a Dynavector XV-1s.

I have been considering an SME table (and possibly a SME V arm) but I like the concept of adjusting VTA on the fly. Between that and wanting to use a Mint tractor (I understand SME arms complicate the measurements required to get a Mint), I decided to get a Tri-planar arm instead.

So, what’s a good table to go with a Tri-planar and XV-1s? Would an SME still be a good candidate? What about an Amazon Reference? Anything else?

Thanks in advance.
madfloyd
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Madfloyd, I ordered a Raven One from Jeff at Highwater Sound back in March. He's been very prompt with communication and anyone who has 28,000 LP's has my respect. Jeff was very helpful in making suggestions, and my Raven One will come with a 12 inch Ortofon arm and Dynavector 20X cartridge. At some point I will upgrade the arm and cartridge. The Turntable is shipping from the factory in Germany the first week in May, so probably I will have it the week after that, so the wait from ordering to when I will have it isnt bad at all. Like you I was weighing the pros and cons of Galibier, Well-Tempered,and others after having had a VPI. I guess for me, the final arbiter was what I've heard from owners,those in the forums, show coverage, and that I'm firmly in the musicality school rather than extraction of every last minute detail off the vinyl ( just my preference, nothing wrong with the detail or resolution crowd!). Good luck in your search! --Mrmitch
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
"My guess is that you could spend a million dollars on a turntable and you could not get it to sound good."

Not sure I understand you. It already sound very good and I am enjoying what I have. Now that I'm not being limited by other aspects of my system, I want to get something even better. What's wrong with that? Isn't that what we audiophiles do?

I've learned that just because something is reviewed well doesn't mean it's going to sound good in your room, with your equipment etc. I've also learned that changing more than 1 piece of equipment at a time is not the way to go. I don't see how listening to different turntables in different setups is going to tell me anything. The mere difference in loudspeakers will be enough to throw off any comparison. If you can get around that in your auditioning, then more power to you - I couldn't.

Ebm - I got a Raven One. I had already purchased a tonearm (Triplanar) which I'm very excited about.

Mrmitch: are you saying that the TW Acustic is known for being more musical than analytical?
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Madfloyd, So far from what I've read from others opinions (and they are only opinions), yes. This is not to say the Raven doesn't reveal lots of detail, just that bringing out the musical qualities of a performance may be the Raven One's strong suit. To me, the timbre of an instrument or orchestral section is more important than whether or not you were able to hear the conductor pass wind during a particularly loud passage. --Mrmitch
darkstar57
4 posts
 
Owning an AC-3 I would have to agree with EBM that the table is very musical - as close to being in the room as you can get. Add to that the timing and nuance that the table presents and it is an unbelievable listening experience. I believe you will not find the Raven lacking in timbre either as the attack, decay, and color are fantastic as well. Enjoy your new table for many, many years to come!
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