New Vinyl Playback Technology

Does it do a a/d conversion? Trying to imagine how the laser gets the signal to the phono amp or does it go straight to the preamp....

No A/D conversion. The laser reads groove modulations and generates an analog electrical signal which is RIAA equalized and boosted to line level at the outputs. No seperate phono stage needed, just a line level pre.

Also remember, this turntable only can play a black vinyl
record. At the Stereophile show a couple of years ago I picked up a Richard Thompson double album, The Best of the Capitol Years. Great collection, clear vinyl. For 11K I certinally would not want ANY limitations. If you have the bucks & like gadgets, go for it, but as far as wearing out a record, if properly set up, I should live that long.