Brinkmann Bardo vs Transrotor Fat Bob Reference

Thanks Mark, but i'm keen to hear from those outside the Industry about the differences in these two tables and hopefully ascertain which sounds better :)

These are both rare turntables. I really doubt many people have heard both, and probably no one has heard both in he same system.

I can say that the fit and finish of my Transrotor is excellent. It's the modern Micro.

Hi Jeffl, thanks for your comments. You've got a very nice system btw! I think you're right; TR tables, espcially FB tables are HUGE in Germany, but not as well known outside Europe. I agree, the TR are beautifully engineered & look great, but more importantly sound excellent. But I also have a lot of respect for Helmut Brinkmann.

I can only respond about the bardo. Fremer has a review coming out in the April issue of stereophile. When I heard it I was surprised how different it sounded from la grange and balance. Much more lively sound.

Dear Chosenhandle, You wrote, "I was surprised how different it sounded from la grange and balance. Much more lively sound." Call me crazy, but perhaps that is the difference between belt drive and direct drive that you heard. Thus, the Transrotor, I think, uses a belt to drive a magnetic subplatter which then drives the main platter without touching it. Great idea as far as low noise, but it must have some "stretch-i-ness" in terms of precision, kind of like a rubber drive belt vs a string or tape drive belt.

For laughs, you must read the description of the Bardo in the latest Absolute Sound. Paul Seydor describes the drive system without using the word "direct" and makes it sound terribly exotic and novel and "magnetic". Heck, it's got a coreless motor and uses direct drive, both great ideas that seem unfamiliar to the reviewer.