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Can a $3K table be among the best out there?

I am on the market for a $3K turntable. I am going back to analog after a number of years so I know little of current market. So, I did some research and stumbled across the Townshend Rock 7 and WT Amadeus tables. I've read a lot about them.. The impression one gets after reading user comments or reviews (like TAS reviews for instance) is that it's hard to get a better table, period. In a world where you can easily spend $4K on a tonearm, I found these statements to be surprising to say the least. What's so special about these turntables, and can anyone comment on the notion that it's hard to beat their performance at any price?
ggavetti
soix
9,456 posts
 
Understood your friend knows his stuff, but the question that seems to not have been answered is if he's actually heard a WT turntable. Has he?
ketchup
698 posts
 
Just curious- why even start this thread if you have a friend who "knows pretty much everything under the sun?"
ggavetti OP
143 posts
 
because I value fellow travelers' opinions and because i always though that the most knowledgeable people (that is designers who know stuff 99% of us does not even dream of) might look at things in an overly technical (e.g. from the engineer's standpoint) way. even if I overall trust my friend's judgment, for instance he might put too much weight on how much damage the cart does to the record than i care about. so, others' opinions are quite valuable datapoints to me. and by the way, i had this conversation with him only AFTER this thread had validated what I had read in reviews about the amadeus and townshend turntables. so, i am learning quite a bit.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
And should we suppose from your last comment on the Townshend that this is a table your friend is also a fan of?
ggavetti OP
143 posts
 
no, he never mentioned that. i just agree with someone who said in this thread that the townshend is such a game changer that it can really beat the heck out of more expensive gear. by the way, in terms of pricing it is not hugely more expensive than a teres. if you're patient you can find a used teres in the $6K neighborhood inclusive of the tonearm. I believe the townshend is $3K without the tonearm. add a good tonearm and you're easily in the $4.5K range. so, at that point one might even think of a teres. in any events, in the near term i just plan to enjoy the empire and maximize its performance...
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