Low end TT vs. Hi end CD

Actually, I've seen an older thread around here, started by Psychicanimal in full provateur mode - championing the 1200 to the skies - with Twl bashing it to the depths...
(I either fall somewhere in the middle, can't hear worth a damn, or am blissfully ignorant :-)

Zaikes, you said you think the 1200 is very convenient and easy to use. Are some of the other belt drive tables (i've been doing some reading the last couple nights) like LinnLP12, Basis 1400, Teres 135 (these were the recommended moderately priced players) hard to operate or require maintenance and tuning all the time?

Also, what cartridge are you using? have you tried a goldring?

Alex, I've mellowed a bit in my old age. No longer am I bashing it to the depths. I am thankful that some people are again trying turntables, and am more careful with my words now. Or at least I try to be.

There's always 1200 bashers in every audio forum. The problem is they can't back up their thoughtless comments and just make fools of themselves. These same people are also unable to look at something rehardless of brand and get some idea of how good it is. No wonder I get e-mails from people wanting to mod 1200s but who are uncomfortable publicly posting their views...

In my previous posts I have expressed some serious, valid and coherent points. A few hours ago I got the dual mono power supply for my Monolithic phono stage. The sound has changed drammatically in all areas: soundstage, dynamics, bass, PRAT, noise floor, etc. More than ever, I still think phono stage is more important than TT. I called member Jahaira and my 1200 was playing. He said to me--"It's sounding faster!" My reply was that PRAT had substantially improved, as well as the bass. He could hear that vocals were clearer, too. And this was over the telephone!

These are exciting times!

Good grief, now we've got audiophiles hearing "PRAT" over the telephone...Psychic, you would be terribly unhappy (but no less insecure I'm sure) if you didn't have anyone to pick a fight with over your beloved 1200, so what I think the other good members have done here is simply to help ensure for your continued well-being. ;^)

DTM, I'm not implying other TT's are hard to use, but then as I say I've never lived with one of those you mention. But I do find it nice to be able to push a button for practically instant start or stop, and the same thing for speed change. It's physically small and basically maintainance-free (no belt to change or go astray, no motor positioning, no springs to adjust), and so is easy to set up. It has the basics you need: leveling feet, calibrated adjustments for VTF, VTA, and anti-skate, as well as an armrest and lift, plus a couple of things I appreciate, like a hinged dustcover and a removable headshell. It runs at the correct speed irrespective of AC line conditions (but has a strobe readout anyway), and has a pitch-change control which is useful to a musician. It exhibits no bearing play in either the 'arm or the platter, is quiet in operation, and is designed and built to be insensitive to high ambient SPL's. Besides which, I just like using DD TT's - it's nice to be able to spin the platter freely in either direction when trying to cue 30+ tracks for a compilation recording, for instance. The idea of belt-drive has always seemed conceptually inelegant to me (although it may be eminently practical) - but I don't plan on ever owning a Rockport either. What I think I'll ultimately do is have KAB perform the 78rpm mod on my 1200, which will give me an excuse to keep it around forever after I finally succumb and get myself something more audiophile-approved. (I am using the Glider M2, and have not heard any Goldrings.)

Thomas - So I'd noticed. :-)