Well Tempered Amadeus VS WT reference

Hi Chashas1,you mean i need to buy a new Amadeus?thanks

Chashas and Schipo, that is as extremely interesting as it is surprising. Would you say the Amadeus does everything at least as good as the Reference (e.g. bass, soundstage) or are there areas where you would say there is a trade-off against the increased musicality (if I may call it like that) that you noticed. What would be the ideal sort of cartridge to obtain the full advantage of the Amadeus? (presently, I use a Transfiguration Spirit III in the WT Reference).

I recently heard the Amadeus, and was very impressed. The cartridge was the EMT TSD-15. It really seems to be a bargain at it's price point. I am saving my pennies to get one, and have it as a second TT. That's not to say it won't be as good or better than my current TT/arm combo, which retails for more than double. My only caveat is you do have to drop the tonearm manually. There seems to be a resistance that makes it easy. I did not find it to be awkward, and it was the very first time I had ever done it. Another great thing is if you golf, you always have an extra golf ball.

The Reference has a massive dense plinth, and the lightweight platter is coupled to it in such a way as to sink vibrational energy away from the platter/LP. From photos, it does not appear that the Amadeus plinth is nearly so elaborate in construction and concept. So, unless the Amadeus platter per se and its tonearm are radical upgrades from those of the Reference, I don't quite know why the Amadeus should sound worlds better. The other factor to consider is that in designing the Amadeus, Firebaugh purportedly started with a goal to make a tonearm and turntable package that could sell for US$1000. Needless to say, that fell by the wayside, but the Reference did not have such humble roots. However, the proof of the pudding is in the listening.

Yes, proof is in the listening, although I'm fond of pudding. You could try and analyze the construction, Firebaugh certainly has, for years, and this is his best effort, regardless of price. Speaking of price, I wouldn't be throwing around terms like twice the price in this case-in some cases, it's been many times the price.

Yes, the amadeus is a radical upgrade from the reference. A half hour or so and you're hooked. I've heard a few different cartridge makes on it, all performed well.

Yes, Samtse, I'm saying you need to get one. I've heard a lot of tables (and owned a few) over the years, like many of you, and it's the best I've heard so far.