Drubin, I have to admit that I am an admirer of Art Dudley! He definitely had a point, and he was entertaining and fun. I will mourn Listener magazine to the end of time, but thank God Art's still writing!
4yanx, this is a "discussion forum" and what's the point if most or nearly all of the time answers given involve that tired old horse spend more money, get on the "inevitable upgrade path" blah blah blah? Or if we avoid discussions? It's not all meant to be simple answers to simple questions, is it? Galileo challenged the science of his time, and science advanced. Now I am not Galileo, but I can share in a bit of his spirit. Can't we be more creative, try different technologies, different angles? Timing is information which is actually more important to the music than all of the rest of the audiophile goodies combined: check sheet music, the music lies in the beats between the notes, tempos, pauses... It seems to me, as it has to many audio reviewers, that a lot of equipment is being designed by businessmen who see an opportunity, but either have no love of music, or don't understand it. There's no substitute for talent, an engineering degree is not enough. I'm serious when I write that many audio designers need to look at the issue of timing, and sincere in wanting to advance the art. Your input is part of a discussion. While I seem to be the most vocal one carrying this particular torch on this site, many here agree with me, as you noted. I am trying to draw them out, as they seem to be relegated to the sidelines. By the way, your Spadedeck story explains a lot. I never named any particular 'tables, I made an effort to avoid the issue of idler-wheel drive vs belt-drive, I invited those with money in their decks to join in. I'm also putting my money where my mouth is. If I'm full of crap, then those who build these Lencos for $200 plus a Rega arm will let you all know. I throw down the gauntlet. Remember the Dynaco amps, or the LS3/5A kits (still one of the best speakers ever made)? I simply tried to inject a little bit of fun back into this hobby, as well as restore a measure of sanity: $2500 cartridges called "good for the money" or "a bargain" indeed! I anticipated your type when I wrote "Now there are those who have spent lots of dosh on their tables, and those who plan on spending lots of dosh on their 'tables, who will tell you this project is no good, that the Lencos are no good, that idler wheel-drives are no good, etc. Don't believe them. I will not make a dime doing this for you, which will actually cost me some money and time and effort. I'm doing this to restore some measure of fun to the hobby, as well as further the art of music reproduction. Is spending $5000 fun? No. Conversely, there are those again with expensive set-ups who will want to join in in a spirit of fun and experimentation, the heart of this hobby of ours, and they are welcome, and I hope to get some input from these as well as everyone involved." Strangely enough, those who've signed up or are planning on signing up have expensive systems, with expensive analogue rigs. Consider this. I am on record praising the AR 'tables (which are timing champions), I have given advice to the effect of buying Sotas, and have been on record writing to someone who loves Thorens to keep buying Thorens. I keep an open mind, and don't believe detail is everything, which is why I love my modded AR-XA as well. For those who don't want to go to the trouble of building a great big marbled deck, I suggest the AR-XA, a belt-driven 'table which shines when you mount a better arm on it. Simply remove the tonearm, take a hacksaw and cut off the cast arm-bearing from the subchassis, stick a stone bit in a drill into the remaining hole and grind away until you can fit a Rega arm in the hole. Cut an armboard (you will have to take a saw and cut a hole in the upper metal plate where the arm emerges) from hardwood (not oak) or acrylic or Corian, and mount Rega. Presto, killer belt-driven 'table, killer timing, excellent isolation. No prejudice here.
