Albert Porters after market panzerholz plinths

Addressing a couple of points:

I totally disagree for many things ( between others ) that you take ( hipothetically )two different sources ( phono cartridges ) with two different tonearms with two diferent tonearm wire to make a two TT comparison: how can we do it? when both sources has its own " signature "

I've stated this at Audiogon many times but want to post a response again since it keeps coming up. The two turntables were fitted with identical cartridges, one was obtained from Lloyd Walker himself for the comparison.

Tone arm wire was the same or in favor of the Walker (better quality on Walker for part of the test). Phono stage, power cables, cartridges and all electronics were identical. Perhaps even more important, the test was not an A-B comparison, but rather long term listening with multiple visitors over a period of many, many months on a wide variety of software with every conceivable adjustment to tweaking the variables.

Albert had a pretty good idea of what cartridges worked the best on the Walker. and in any case; the Walker does not allow for an alternate arm, so you are stuck with comparing the Walker with it's fine linear tracking arm.

Mike Lavigne is stating what I posted earlier in this thread. The Walker is manufactured with it's own arm and it's not removable.

Test was done the only way it could be. Every variable that could be equalized was done and the impossible was left as is.

Table/arm/cart function as a system. You can toss the plinth, mat, and anything else that is there for benefit of the table into that system also. You want to optimize each system and compare. Components that perform optimally in one system may not in another. That could be plinth, mat cart, whatever.

If done well, each optimized phono SYSTEM should perform well. Each better or worse perhaps in particular aspects of the resulting sound. Which is better will often be a matter of personal preference and also how that phono system fits into the larger system as a whole as well. Obviously, use of high quality components in the properly integrated system is an insurance policy of sorts towards better performance, but not necessarily an indicator of better sound.

Not sure what else can be said objectively. Each case is different. Unless you exactly replicate a system that sounds good, it is hard to predict how any particular component will sound when you use it in your system. It is a combo of art and science through trial and error over the long term that delivers the end results. Knowledge, time and money are necessary ingredients. Otherwise, all bets are off.

Dear Albert: As I stated/posted I'm not questioning your decision in any way: it was and is your decision.

What you quoted of my post was in reference on Pryso statement where he think that to matched different cartridges in two different tonearms makes " the work " for comparison on two different TTs where everything is different.

In your case ( and I mean your case because Pryso put your TT comparison as an example. ) we only have two variables: different tonearm and different tonearm internal wire and I don't know if you use the same mat in both TT if not then three variables ( I assume was used the same plattform to both TT's. ).

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

My whole point was raised to try to understand the position of those who believe that the only worthwhile (valid?) comparison is when just one component is changed - the turntable in this case. Mapman perhaps presented my perspective best when he focused on the table/arm/cart as a "system". It is comparing differences within systems that becomes tricky.

Raul, I hope you know I respect your experience and observations. Many times in your MM/MI thread you have commented on matching the best arm or headshell to optimize the performance of a given cartridge. You are unusual in owning such a large selection of tables, arms, headshells, etc. that you can really fine tune the set up for any cartridge to evaluate it, and report your impressions based upon the optimized system. I believe your reviews are better than any paper or on-line magazine for this reason.

To draw a parallel, you do not evaluate every cartridge in the same arm/table/headshell so far as I know. And even if you have a "preferred system" where you make your initial evaluations, you obviously do try other combinations to obtain the best performance of the cartridge under review.

So what I'm trying to understand is how you and all others who accept only a "single variable comparison" think it is fair to mount the same arm and cartridge on two different tables and then judge which table is best? Yes this may tell you which table you preferred within that particular "system". But in my mind it will not necessarily tell you that your choice will be preferred in all systems, i.e. that it is the best of the two tables. If one size fitted all, this would be a far simpler hobby.

Peace to all and happy listening.

So what I'm trying to understand is how you and all others who accept only a "single variable comparison" think it is fair to mount the same arm and cartridge on two different tables and then judge which table is best? Yes this may tell you which table you preferred within that particular "system". But in my mind it will not necessarily tell you that your choice will be preferred in all systems, i.e. that it is the best of the two tables. If one size fitted all, this would be a far simpler hobby.

after first acknowledging there is no real ultimate truth of 'what's best' when comparing tt's, i think one can form useful conclusions with reasonable efforts. particularly when you own 2 or 3 tt's over a period of time amd move arms and cartridges between them. characterisitics do emmerge. preferences get established. if that preference holds in multiple situations it gains in credibility.

it helps to have 2 of the same cartridges, or two of the same arms, or even a phono stage with 2 inputs. this allows speedy 'single varible comparison'.

but for me it's the months of listening to tt's side by side which allow a real sense of what is what. quick looks are useful but less valuable for me.

as far as 'system' synergy; i suppose there are amp/speaker/room combinations which may favor one vinyl front end over another. maybe tubes and horns may invite idlers and Koetsu's, as an example......but at the top of the vinyl food chain i don't see much of that approach. vinyl gear that aspires to be SOTA are typically all around performers and not limited to one system character.

at the end of the day colorations will always get in the way of the musical message.