Continuum Caliburn - really the best TT on earth?

Dear Thuchan,

I have followed this thread over the last few days and I would like to contribute, if I may, a different view point.

Unless there is more to it than what was shared in this thread, your purchase has all the hallmarks of an impulsive purchase.

None of my impulsive buys over the years led to long-term enjoyment *especially* when I compromised the *dream*.

If you had set your eyes on the Caliburn, the Criterion will not do in the longer run.

I sincerely hope that I am wrong and that you will keep enjoying the Criterion for the years to come. With apologies to everyone if my comment is out of line, but it honestly documents my 25-year long analogue journey.

Kostas

Kostas,

your comment is a reasonable one; but only if one assumes that Eckart liked the Caliburn lots more than he liked the Criterion.

again we come back to the cost/benefit-value issue.

i've heard the Caliburn and the Criterion 4 times each in different systems. i've spent more total time with the Criterion. but i've never heard them side by side. other than having them both in your own system for an extended comparison, the next best thing would be what Eckart apparently did do, compare them side by side in Oz.

he has not written any detail about his final decision making experience (at least that i have seen). so we may wonder what the tipping point(s) actually ended up being.

my guess is that the Criterion came 'close enough' at approx half the price. if he only liked the Caliburn a little more that would be a decision he is likely very happy about.

there is nothing to prevent him from tradeing up later. at least he knows the difference between them to his ears.

no regrets needed.

i say congrats and let the music flow....

Kostas, my decision making started in 2006 at the High End show in Munich. It was more a long time process than a sudden impulse. Nevertheless the thread and the good advices helped me to settle my decision in the end.

I cannot give a judgement right now, I need some time of listening but Mike is on the right track. We have to compare it with a Caliburn some day - maybe in the same system...

I am slowly proceeding. The neodymium tabletts which keep the floating armboard in position is a wonderful invention, especially in the completion of Continuum. I dismounted everything and assembled it again. The difference on impact it has on the sound I will figure out when everything is in place - and then maybe changing the distance between the tabletts from underneath the chassis.

At the moment I have a more stiffer calibration by reducing the distance to the near minimum.

http://picasaweb.google.de/caochan1/Criterion

Hi Eckart,

Thanks for the pics...it helps me follow the progress!

-Sam

It´s done! Everything is fine. The Copperhead is a delicate but excellent tonearm. I wouldn`t like to change the cartridge too many times in the Copperhead.

From my experience the weight scales in the manual are not exact.

I have put some pics under my system