Gingko or Symposium Ultra Platform??

Hmmm... I have been playing around comparing gingko Cloud and Symposium Ultra a bit in my system using Microseiki/FR64s/Koetsu and VPI Classic 3/Dyna XV-1s . Microseiki is used with Symposium junior roller or spike feet on Linn Skeet and VPI Classic 3 with Bearpaw brass cones/Linn Skeet (BearPaw came with brass plate that have cork wood under it so I think that it would not work all that well with Symposium Ultra).
The result is quite consistant with both turntable. Gingko has lusher, fuller midrange, more on sweeter, warmer tone and somewhat softer sound. Symposium has excellent bass slam, speed, detail. However, I feel the midrange went a bit beyond neutral to lean, and somewhat dry presentation. Both give blacker background.
My Symposium Ultra is a bit too small for my TW but my guess would be that it would match better with my Reed 3Q but might be a bit too much of a good thing with Graham arm though.

Suteetat,
Thank you for your detailed comparison.

Fivechannelguy: the results you found replacing the Gingko balls with Herbie's "MedicinBall"s are different than when I tried Herbie's 1-3/8 in. "grungebuster" balls. I found that the "grungebuster" ball diminished the liveliness and resolution of the turntable, creating a darker presentation. So I went back to using the stock Gingko balls. I did place two additional balls (more than recommended by Gingko) and that helped to both stabilize the movement of the top plate and provide a more airy, lively sound.

Perhaps the additional density/firmness of the "MedicinBall" compared to the "grungebuster" ball is why you found an improvement over the Gingko ball. It may provide a (somewhat) similar effect as adding Gingko balls. If I have some extra cash and want to experiment I might try the "MedicinBall".

Regards,
Tom

Tketcham,

I checked Herbies website twice. They offer 5/8, 7/8 and 1 inch balls. You said you put in 1-3/8 inch grungebuster balls with disappointing results. Are you sure they are that size or am I not finding it on the website? The wrong size ball in the divot would probably cause problems.

Jon

Fivechannelguy: Herbie's no longer carries the larger 1 3/8 in. "grungebuster" balls. The web site advertised them as suitable replacements for the Gingko "Cloud" platform. My hunch is that they found the "MedicinBall" to be a better match with the Gingko platform and discontinued the larger "grungebuster" ball.

Regards,
Tom