Continuum Caliburn - really the best TT on earth?

Good tuntable VERY VERY OVERPRICED!!

so a Magico Mini 2 owner is calling a tt overpriced, that's rich.

btw, i'm not saying that the Magico, or any product, is overpriced. just that if one sees $30k value in a small 2-way, then one should be understanding of a $60k tt.

a good friend of mine living a little more than 10.000 miles away asked me for a verdict on the Criteron/Copperhead. Everyone who knows me does understand that this is a very difficult job to do regarding the different cartridges, arms, pre-amps etc. i am using on and with the TTs. Nevertheless I used the same chain (Kondo KSL & M7) comparing the Micros with the Continuum.

Here is my result: As the Micros supported by the VPI flywheels are transporting the sound in a very brutal, but not cool or hard and never disguising way (you nearly hear everything) the Criterion is more on the elegant side. The Copperhead with the Olympos creates a very open and transparent sound picture. The quiteness and stableness might be a result of the precison of the electronics as well as of the new vaccuum and the platter design.

It is really fun as it is with the Micros and you may start whipping your feet cause the system plays the records in a fascinating and overwhelming way. I never enjoyed my beloved jazz-records but also other music as I do with this TT. I think it is the first time the Lyra Olympos met its perfect partner in my system - in the Copperhead.

All parts of this TT are pretty well manufactured also the Copperhead. I would recommend anyone who is using the Copperhead to be very careful when moving the tail to the right side which is recommended. Using too long screws when mounting the weights you might touch the tails surface (maybe a hint for a small design change...??).

The unshielded cooper litz might deserve a better solution in the future. I also heard that Continuum is considering providing shielded cables as DaVinci does it in a proper way. Maybe I will exchange it to a Ikeda silver litz and shield the cable when it sees the light. Some of the Criterions or Caliburn owners reported me they are sometimes able to listen to radio.

Using many vacuums I was very surprised how silent the Continuum vacuum works. The design how the vaccum tube leaves the Criterion convinces me much more than with the Caliburn.

I am happy that the Criterion does not need as much servive (hopefully) as the Caliburn does due to its bearing design. I did not want to go for a big magnetic field underneath the table, one reason why I went to the Criterion. Nevertheless it takes nearly the same amount of time to build up the system as it does with the Caliburn. It is in no way a plug and play player. The management and the possibilites of the neodym tablets for the armboard should be mentioned in the next manual. I know that Continuum service people usually do build up the tables. I like to mention this topic because it is a wonderful invention and pretty well executed.

I rather would like to use a second armboard not knowing whether it might touch the top side of the motor pulley. I didn´t see an external hole in the rear of the body for an additional tonearm cable. I guess one should bring it very close to the motor... so maybe some questions I should discuss.

As this is definitely the best modern TT I have listened to so far I will not give away the Micros in the next week...

http://picasaweb.google.de/lh/photo/wkgiDekA80lVbDTyXivgVg?feat=directlink

I think we can all thank Thuchan for his detailed account of this adventure, Thuchan is a valued asset to this community.

Most certainly Thuchan is one of the rare “audio freaks” on this plant to indulge in such superlative comparisons, dancing between the best turntables on the planet, feeding some of the finest electronics, speakers, cables in a purpose built room!

I am certain that that Thuchan will take us on his next adventures, heaven knows what he has in mind!

Second that, Soundlistening...thanks, Eckart!

-Sam

Great journey and great report Tuchan.

I hope you keep enjoying the music.