Simon Yorke turntables-audiophile best value?

I owned an older S9 and heard an S10 several years back when they first came out and always thought I'd eventually own an S10 but now with other tables that have come to the market and agree with busypk that I've followed agon sales of the S10 and it seems these owners cannot even give away S10's and the price you can pick-up an S7 is stupidly low!

To clarify a couple of things, the S10 was designed to work with the arm that is supplied for the best possible sound. As some audiophiles prefer playing with audio gear more than just enjoying the work as a complete machine, there are many tabless out there to toy with if such is ones desire. I don't know about not being able to give stuff away, but Simon has about a two month waiting list for his record players.Everybody is entitled to their opinions and feelings. In light of all that's out there, well they each may appeal to a certain taste or want. But the S10s were built to be as truthful to the music as possible and present it in an organic way.

However if you want to flavor it you may do so with a cartridge that suits your desire.

With the S10 being a precision machine it it's important that it's set up properly.Like any turntable even adjusting the tension of a screw will change the way it sounds.Even a modest $300 table can demonstrate this. Unfortunatly, when doing consultions out it the field I too often even
selfcalimed analog experts often have simple things like even the level not set properly. Just an example not meant to offend any one.

As I have always told my clients over the years, judge for yourself if something is good, if it talks to you then...

Looking at all the tables out there the Yorkes quality of build and the ways it can play music to let you experience music on a deeper level. It is a bargain.

Best Value? What is the going rate or value for an meaningful pleasure, or a work or art? I don't know the answer but I do know that with all the fine tables out there, the Yorkes do some thing the no tables I've heard do.If one owns a large collection of music not audiophile recordings then you will find the Yorkes to be quite special. But to manipulate the designs to make it do audiophiles things, well there are other turntables out there for that purpose.

Toneofmusicaudio, excellent post. Thank you.

Thank you Inna,also to correct myself.I meant to say:If one owns a large collection of music not[just] audiophile recordings then you will find the Yorkes to be quite special...

15 years back at 1995, I decide to upgrade from the Simon's "Zarathustra S4" to the just available "System 7". I was so much dissapointed with the empty, lifeless, flat & tin sound of his new S7, that I end-up buying the megabuck Symphonic Line RG6 in a desparate decision for a more involving & sensual source that can move my senses to an emotional & not just the usual Hi-Fi level.
Unfortunately my set-up those days (top Goldmund pre & monos) was based on different priorities : (extreme speed, delicacy & merciless accuracy) & so, the absolute rejection of my new gigantic turntable was painful & terrifing. Then I put back my "S4" & my Denon DP80 & so, everything went great in a perfectly balanced match. Instead, in disregard, I've went for selling my precious Goldmund stuff & replaced it with SET 'cause I've just discover my detestation of the emotionless monitoring listening.
What I've learn from this bitter experience, is that everything has a flavor to match & I believe that it's not right to make a purchase if we were not in a position to clear our requirements first, defining the direction our system we want to take, in order to satisfy our taste & justify our expence.
What was happened then, was that the "System 7" was even more accurate than the "Zarathustra S4" & so, my conclusion of buying the Symphonic Line RG6 was a reflection of my priorities & taste but in no way characterise the Simon's creativity as limited or incapable to satisfy the demanding listener. My other 3 friends that purchase the "S4" have keep it till today with no regrets & are still very reluctand to upgrade, while their systems are among the finest & most sophisticated I've ever heard. That the "S4" is capable to bring forth all the tiny differences of each of the revewed components, is the unmistakable indication of the critical & inventive Simon's mind.
Above that, I must testify my experience with him as a refreshing & unexpected relief as I witness a true artisan that it's ethos & honesty drives him away of the sponsor's demands, ( I read with my own eyes a note in a paper tissue that left to our previous local distributor when he leave those year's Audio Show : "I WILL NOT PROSTITUDE MY ART FOR MONEY". Can you imagine, if only we have a handfull like him in the industry, what integrity & progression could we possibly may reach ?
Today, I can honestly say with confidence that my Symphonic Line RG6 is inferior as a truthful source & it doesn't have the qualities that I was looking back then, only an overplethoric personality that can no longer fool me. It's imposing sight, mirrors it's bold & always big sound no matter what LP is playing & in this regard, I don't trust this stable performance as I feel it is permanently spreading it's flavour everywhere, giving a faulty impression of robustness even in the most sensitive & delicate signals. I would have trust my Goldmunds back then, but it was so difficult to recognise & accept that my new, expensive & highly praised by TAS turntable was a cheater.
My advice is to find a well keeped "Zarathustra S4". Mark Levinson has choose it as the Cello turntable back then (if this has any meaning for you), the British magazines were highly praised it as the only class A turntable when matched with the "Pluto 5A" & this may be the only problem ... you can not match it with an "SME V".
I once ask Simon why he abandoned the suspension in his tables & he told me that it is more difficult to integrate but also restrictive for it's ZEN perspective. Unfortunatelly his latest creations demands extra deep pockets to purchase & extra care to properly set on the right foundation. But those turntables are not for the usual inexperienced & clueless fashion victim. They made exclusively for the dedicated connoisseur that knows exactly how & precisely where he guides it's utterly accurate system.
I apologise for this unecessary reply, but I have to do it as a confession & expiation for my ignorance, giving back the credit to where it deserves to be.

George