Choosing the 'best' turntable and ignoring 'flavours'

[break-3]

How many of you have heard, yes actually heard a Clearaudio Emotion package with an OC9 cartridge fitted? Or an Acoustic Solid Small Machine with SA-250ST arm and a Shelter 501 II ?? Or a SL-1210 with SME 3009 and OC9, or even Marco's SL-1210, Jelco SA750D and 103SA?

And when you heard them, were they playing music you knew though amps you knew on speakers you knew in a room that you liked?

And then again, would you choose a different system for rock and one for classical?

Confused?



Dave

Hi Dave,
Assuming that you have heard all those combinations, would you care to share your experiences?

[Beechwoods]

We will always have to make compromises in terms of what we can afford, get our hands on, or audition appropriately beforehand. Our ability to compare different machines will always be flawed - even professional reviewers will be unable to listen to everything out there in circumstances where meaningful comparisons can be made.

But we can probably reach a consensus of which machines are worth looking at at each price-point, and then have a fun time arguing over which of those is best. The lucky ones amongst us might even be able to do head-to-head comparisons but in the end it will only be their opinion...

Anyway, I'd always prefer to make my own mistakes rather than rely upon others to fashion an acceptable world view for me... the great thing about AOS is that there's no 'house sound' and we've real exponents of loads of different machines, so no-one's afraid of standing up for their kit, however unfashionable it is. Speaking personally of course

[Dave Cawley]

Hi Simon

Yes I have heard all in my own house. And every Avid model in a relaxing situation. They are all very good performers, each with their own strengths and weakness. If a customers asks me about a turntable, then I ask a whole series of questions that help narrow down the choice.

It is much like buying a car, so many out there, and all different, and most good.



Regards

Dave

[griffo104]

Hi Simon

Yes I have heard all in my own house. And every Avid model in a relaxing situation. They are all very good performers, each with their own strengths and weakness. If a customers asks me about a turntable, then I ask a whole series of questions that help narrow down the choice.

It is much like buying a car, so many out there, and all different, and most good.



Regards

Dave

Good post Dave, absoultely spot on. there are no right or wrong answers just what suits the persons taste in music. I can see completely where Marco is coming from with his modded Technics and where someone like myself comes from who wants to appreciate the designers vision. We both end up with a setup that allows us to enjoy music the way we want to.

Now when it comes to digital...

[The Grand Wazoo]

Good post Dave, absoultely spot on. there are no right or wrong answers just what suits the persons taste in music. I can see completely where Marco is coming from with his modded Technics and where someone like myself comes from who wants to appreciate the designers vision. We both end up with a setup that allows us to enjoy music the way we want to.

Now when it comes to digital...

That's what I was trying to say. But you nailed it, Mister

[NRG]

Linn are taking the piss yet again, glad I jumped of the train years ago...

Link unashamedly stolen from a PFM thread:

http://www.uhes.co.uk/index.php?acti...kal-linn-urika

[Spectral Morn]

And I thought the Avid ref power supply was dear. Why can Linn not call a product something simple....its a psu.



Regards D S D L

[Mike]

Linn are taking the piss yet again, glad I jumped of the train years ago...

Link unashamedly stolen from a PFM thread:

http://www.uhes.co.uk/index.php?acti...kal-linn-urika

Maybe it should be called the 'Urethra'?

[pure sound]

Just a trifling additional £4700 on top of the very reasonable £10K or so they are asking for the LP12SE arm and cartridge.

Wow, it must be really good.

[Beechwoods]

I'd definitely be wanting it to be really good having dropped £15k on it. I'd feel pretty daft if it sounded crap