Da Vinci AAS Gabriel


Hi,
I read the TAS review of this USD60K tt. Has any audiogoner out there any first hand experience with this tt and can share opinions? I currently use the TW Acustic Raven AC3 tt with the Davinci arm and cartridge. Wondering if it is worthwhile at all to switch to the AAS Gabriel tt.
128x128alectiong
Dgad, any isolation platform deals with mechanical vibrations only - airborne pressure (loudspeaker etc.) do of course need different measures.
A isolation platform with a resonance frequency below 1 Hz however does deal with microvibrations as well as footfalls.
Dertonarm,

We are dealing w. both static & dynamic forms of isolation. I think both needs to be approached independently. But then there are active isolation systems that might handle all. In the end, for my system, I find that a low resonant frequency is a sonic ideal and as stated before one of the biggest sonic upgrades for the $ I have ever done. The other being my room (speaker position etc.). I have also stated here on the forum that even with isolation I found stillpoints to be a benefit. That also says something. But what I don't know (and I do wonder). It was immediately audible. I would imagine Stillpoints provide isolation in a horizontal plain vs a vertical one. Then again Stillpoints under my CDP in combination with springs is also a major upgrade and not expensive.
Dgad,
if you are not using any vibration platform you may also go for better motors like Faulhaber or Maxon motors. If you supply the Faulhaber motors by Sorbothane you might really hear a difference to the motors now running.
This is not theory but approved by a Raven owner.
Dgad, sorry again - Stillpoints, Spikes and other direct (or via one or several hard components...) coupling devices have nothing to do with isolation from periphery vibration. You just have a different "coupling" to the underground, but the vibration of the underground nevertheless does enter your components and its cabinet.

Static vibration vs. dynamic vibration ? You mean ONE frequency of vibration with constant amplitude versus a multiple of frequencies with alternating amplitudes ?
An isolation from vibration worth the name has to take care of all of this.
Thats why high priced isolation platforms (bench-tops and complex frames alike) are either active pressure supplied (Vibraplane et al) or very complex (Minus-K).

Some Stillpoints under your CDP will of course make a difference due to the relatively low weight and not very rigid cabinet.
The Stillpoint due dampen the groundplate of the cabinet and do - due to their extreme hardness - kind of speed-up the component-born vibrations to leave the cabinet.

But it does in no way isolate from outside vibrations.

Putting your CDP between two fairly heavy blocks of slate will most likely improve the sound even more, since now the cabinet can't resonate that easy any more and if, then with much lower amplitude and much lower frequency due to the vastly increased weight and direct large surface dampening of it top and ground plate.

If possible - give it a try.
I yet have to see the CDP which does NOT benefit from that particular method of large surface dampening.
Back to the original question...You would be improving little and only in certain areas while sacrificing in others...You have one of the top tier tt's now...Save your money for other things, or at least other areas of your system.

Regards...