Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?

Raul, I agree with you about the importance of measurements and I'm sure that tt designers use them to develop their products. One well known and enthusiastic member of these forums even advocates auditioning turntables with a Sutherland Timeline strobe in pocket. That way one will know very quickly if a turntable at a dealership (or friend's house) meets one of the essential targets of all turntables.

I also think your description of the analysis of audio components as being both objective and subjective is right on. But I see nothing wrong with someone thinking "I like it". This sounds subjective, but it may also be supported by the notions of accuracy and neutrality. Speaking only for myself, "I like it" when my system improves with changes and sounds more and more like the real thing. Low distortion and speed accuracy certainly contribute to it sounding natural.

Has anyone tested the EMT 927 with a Timeline?

Thuchan,

Here is no place to promote my turntable, but I will say that it is not a Lenco. That really isn't a fair comparison because it is an entirely different idler, like the EMT 927 is an entirely different idler. If you are coming to RMAF, we can continue down this path. I would like that.

Peterayer,

In reference to the Sutherland Timeline as a tool for judging turntables, I would be remiss if I didn't remind everyone that an uneven speed is far more critical than one that is a bit off. Recently, a group of us checked a stellar sounding vintage turntable that did not spin exactly to the Timeline standard. In fact, it appeared to be significantly faster. After checking it again with Fieckert's software, it was determined that it was spinning at 33.45 RPM, but it was perfectly consistent. The slight increase in speed is most likely due to a replacement belt that is probably the wrong thickness. Compare that turntable with a turntable that spins 33.34 almost all the time, but with noticeable moments of change that cannot be attributed to a parts replacement. Which would you pick? My point is that the tool should be used carefully, so as to not draw a wrong conclusion.

Mosin, That is a good point about accurate speed versus constant speed. And by doing this check on a stellar vintage turntable, you seem to support Raul's point that analysis should be both objective and subjective. But how do you know from using the Timeline that it is accurate speed or constant speed? Say the turntable speeds up to 33.45 and then slows down to 33.44 at precisely the same point during each revolution. If this is not detected by the strobe sequence of the Timeline, then it would appear to be a slightly fast rotation, but constant speed, while in fact it is not constant because it speeds up and slows down within the period of the strobe. One can imagine all kinds of variations to this.

The point I was trying to make is that to some degree, it is important to measure these things with tools. It does not tell the whole story, but it helps. I think this is what Raul means by analysis being both objective and subjective. I think this is the point that he is also trying to make, but for some reason he continues to be criticized.

Peterayer, do you think that the Timeline is is more accurate than a hand held or built in strobe which in 927's case I find as accurate as my handheld ones? The 927 has brake control to slow it down or one can use a frequency controller to reduce or increase the speed, either way it holds its speed. The Timeline is fine if you have a wall nearby and you have to mark the location where you're pointing the laser at and if you touch and it moves you have to start again, I really don't see the advantage over a QUALITY strobe.

Rauliruegas,

1- Please don't get me started on your Gladiator test, I've been containing myself. There are so many holes in your test method that I can make a fine sieve of! But life is too short...

2- The EMT is already an established and known commodity, my seal approval or otherwise changes nothing. The EMT has the track record and a deserved reputation of being one of the greatest record players ever made; people have even written a couple of books on it. You can say what you want about some arbitrary measurements but until you actually see and listen to one, sorry to say you really don't know what you're talking about. I wish my "liking it" would have that kind of positive affect on people. The credit here goes entirely to Mr. Franz and his EMT. I don't understand why you're trying so hard to put the 927 down.

3- The throwing out my LPs was a joke, relax and enjoy the conversation without getting obsessed there's enough of that out there.

david