Continuum Caliburn - really the best TT on earth?

I recently compared it (Caliburn) to my VPI HRX/ Kuzma 4 Point/ A90 combination and although there were some things that were better, the VPI had a bounce and musicality about it that I just preferred. My friend who has the Caliburn also preferred the way the HRX works with Jazz and 60's Soul.

The TW tables I am not keen on. They may been good'n'all but I can't get with the design. Also, the Raven One AC I had on demo sounded too mechanical and not a patch on the HRX. The Caliburn is beautiful to look at and if I had the funds right now I would buy one on looks alone!

Breuninger, I have to study this click-click-clock system deeper. Maybe I am saving some sport activities between the units of my system and some more advantages will come up...

David, you are on a good track. This is my first TT I bought when I returned from Japan in 1995. I paid the amount of 5.000 Euro. No one was interested in analogue in those times...

Mr D I guess it's just in my inherit nature to try to help people out though I think Ekhart will have his own ideas on this subject.
Ekhart for the most part Im happy to see the popularity of vinyl swing back for many especially among the youth.The 30 and 40 year olds, yikes did I just type that!

David

Dear Thuchan, I am a bit confused. Which one did you end up with, Criterion or Caliburn? Also, I went to the Continuum website to try to get some idea of the design and construction of these products. They don't show any photos of the platter and motor with the belt in place. Can you tell me whether the drive is the usual type, where the belt travels around the pulley and platter only, or is there a capstan-like device or secondary pulley, to bring the belt into more continuous contact with the platter? And does the drive belt run around the perimeter of the platter or around what appears to be a smaller diameter subplatter? Thanks.

Dear Lewm, it`s aContinuum Criterion with a Copperhead tonearm carrying a Lyra Olympos.

You`re right you cannot see details on the website of Continuum. Maybe the pic under the following link helps to answer your question. It´s a usual type drive, the belt runs around the big sub-platter which has not a smaller diameter than the top-platter.

The armboard is mounted on neodym tablets. You may change the distance between the armboards magnets and the lower magnets by turning a screw from underneath the chassis, so also when running the Criterion. This will change the sound if you like. Mark has told me this, it is not written in the manual.

http://picasaweb.google.de/lh/photo/fomE6Ej0CEmJ4D-WeqU3EQ?feat=directlink

... hope the link works