Micro Seiki, or TW AC-1


I'm trying to decide between Micro Seiki RX 5000 and TW AC-1.
They are approx. the same price used (about $10K)
Both are belt drive.
Unfortunately, I don't have a first hand experience with either of the tables.
You can see my current set-up in my system page.
The reason, I want to make a change from DD TT to belt drive is just to try a different approach.
Also, I have a feeling, that the bass would be one of the areas, where MS and TW might have an edge over my current DD Technics SP-10 MkII
My endeavor into analog is fairly new, so I'm not sure what my final choice in analog would be, unless I try it in my own system.
What I'm really interested in is the following:
Sonic differences b/w MS, TW and Technics SP-10 MkII
Reliability
Service availability.
maril555
Is it possible that those Raven owners who have not been able to maintain stable platter speed have not correctly used the "STORE" mechanism on the speed control box? Some of the instructions on the sheet of paper that came with my Raven One, giving instructions about setting and maintaining speed, are poorly worded and/or confusing. For example,the paper says this: To storing the revolutions press "STORE". But here is what one actually has to do: Once proper rotational speed has been determined(see my explanation above from 10/17), one has to flip up and release the toggle switch that says STORE(locking in the speed). To unstore(unlocking the speed)and re-set the rotational speed, one must flip down and release that toggle switch. In the event anyone has not been aware of these things, I hope this helps. These particular instructions were not provided in the paper designed to make these procedures clear. Should any issues arise, Jeff Catalano can be of service. He has supplied me with valuable assistance and insight on several occasions.
Had plenty of clients who sold their TW decks and replaced with an SP10. None to my knowledge who did the reverse.

I'd be looking at your arm, cartridge, isolation, plinth, and every other aspect of your setup, and living with it until you really know it, before making a change-which is really a step down from what you currently own.

Jonathan Weiss
OMA
Non of my AC tables that I owned including the Black Knight were capable to be set-up spot on for speed accuracy using the TimeLine. The controller just didn't allow this nor did it properly control.

Why would you use other instruments that are not showing the proper speed, has me wondering that you really don't want to know when there is a instrument that will show you the flaws.

I chuckle when I read some of the postings above, some preaching like their word is it, they come across as if "don't you dar say this or that" or trying to suggest possibly the system as a whole is not up to the task.

Possibly it's your system is the one that's not up to the task or your even worse your ears but them again all one has to do is place the TimeLine on any table and watch at both speeeds and then place a record on and play. If any of you AC owners are suggesting that your tables are spot on are just folling your self, they aren't. Sorry :(

It's great that there is so much passion but come on guys relax it's only audio and we are suppose to share to learn.

I personally like to learn and not close minded.

The responces in realtion to MS platter ringing, that's so old. Place the proper platter on it like the "stainless steel as the 8000 has" no ringing but even better do a floating platter as syntax and I have well it will take you into a whole other world. I don't like the 8000 with the suction platter.

Enjoy! I know I am.
Maril
I found my Raven AC boring , dark sounding like VPI ,music was totally uninvolved overall it was more then disappointing with the time and money spent on it.

Reading through the raves I just don't get these guys at all, especially the drooling over the Graham Phantom arm combination. Back then I had no idea how good my Graham arm Dynavector XV1s was until I swapped that arm onto another table.
Since then of course other record players, cartridges and tonearms have graced my system. Micro Seiki 1500 and 5000,Kenwood LO7D and a all for the fun of it modded panzer plinth VPI TNT.

I'll remind you of some recent history involving several members here on Audiogon lead by a well respected high profile member with a black diamond Walker VS a electronically refreshed Technics sp10 mk11 coupled to a purpose built plinth.
I followed Porters progress and decided to do work on my own fun panzerholz project sp10 mkii. I can tell you results are much differant from other sp10s coupled to factory plinths even nude including DIY off the shelf material projects.

I don't know what some of you TW owners are suggesting that somehow there had to be some sort of mismatch with system synergy?? or some other component mismatch?? I think the Graham arm revealed the Raven for what it is.
, the raven failed miserably at play back including a feedback test where I placed the stylus on a stationary record and then turn the gain up.
Incidentally I am not the only dissapointed tw owner.