CES Turntables

[poppachubby]

Well, with all the discussion about 3D TV's and other "exciting" technology, how about something proven?

The field at CES were all breathtaking. Dagogo did a great job reporting the highlights. A couple of my faves (JoeESP9 be prepared...)

My fave, the Clearaudio Maximum Solution Satisfy Satinee for the discounted price of $6k.



And for my bathroom, the Oracle Delphi MK VI at $9K, without tonearm or cart of course.



For the full scoop...http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=647

[frahengeo]

Don't have any vinyl, but I can certainly appreciate those works of art. Just the bubble level alone must be worth $500 . Chubs, you work with Lathes and Bridgeports. You could probably build one of those.

[nightflier]

Clearaudio gets a bit of flack for being more pretty than their competitors like VPI, SME, and Thorens, but considering how much time we typically spend looking at the TT, not to mention bent over darned thing, good looks aren't unwarranted in my book. I still drool over their entry-level tables like the Emotion (perfect name, by the way).

[JoeE SP9]

Although I'm actively looking for an Oracle Mk IV or V this from Grant Fidelity is nice and reasonable, ~$1300

[audio amateur]

High end TTs are gorgeous...

[JohnMichael]

I would love to have this table.

[JohnMichael]

Although I'm actively looking for an Oracle Mk IV or V this from Grant Fidelity is nice and reasonable, ~$1300

I like the looks of this turntable. It looks tweakable and the arm is very interesting.

[poppachubby]

Don't have any vinyl, but I can certainly appreciate those works of art. Just the bubble level alone must be worth $500 . Chubs, you work with Lathes and Bridgeports. You could probably build one of those.

Hehe, you design it, I'll build it.

[JoeE SP9]

Recently my case of "TT' Nervosa" has been quite severe. My closet backup is working fine. I've been looking for headshells for the arm (MA-707). I can't find even one anywhere. I'd like to get at least two. Can anyone help? I'm willing to pay. Honest!

On the other hand:
If you play 78's Mono's and other esoteric stuff. Check this out. Is that a Jelco arm? This is a page on the Needle Doctor

Esoteric Sounds Rek-O-Kut Rondine 3: 33, 45, And 78 RPM And Nine Other Fixed Speeds Plays 17" Records AUDIOPHILE QUALITY The RONDINE 3 provides 33, 45, and 78 rpm and nine other fixed speeds for vintage discs and half-speed mastering. The very small DC belt-drive motor and Lo-Noise power supply results in very low rumble and ultra-low hum. Arm height is adjustable for all discs. The Delrin platter is similar in composition to the actual discs played and provides them with excellent dampening. The reproduced sound is neutral. The large diameter spindle bearing is both low friction and low noise. Its Rek-O-Kut TranScribe arm is of low mass with low friction bearings for audiophile performance. Suspension is provided by four vibration absorbent feet. Vertical cut discs are playable with an extra modified headshell/cartridge. Supplied with dust cover, and 12-speed Super Strobe for speeds from 68.5 to 90 rpm. Not supplied with phono cartridge or styli. These must be purchased separately. Recommended for both audiophile and vintage records.

[atomicAdam]

very beautiful, but still, so damned expensive it makes me vomit.

i don't understand why hi-end audio is a sport for the wealthy.

[poppachubby]

very beautiful, but still, so damned expensive it makes me vomit.

i don't understand why hi-end audio is a sport for the wealthy.

I agree with you Adam. In the case of the Clearaudio I posted, it could very well be "worth" the money.

I would assume it's not a production model. Firstly, an engineer would have to labour to design it, or, someone who designed it sold the design to Clearaudio. Either way, that would represent a ton of hours.

Secondly, the machining looks amazing. We're talking real precision. I highly doubt they've paid for the tooling to mass produce it, which means a machinist must punch out every single part.

Of course, assembly would be a chore also.

Anyhow, these things take alot of time and do infact cost alot of cash. Now add all of that up and then put some profit on top and $6000 seems about right IMO.

The tables that cost 30-40K might be another story however....

[audio amateur]

Yeah, I agree with Chubby, these tables are a work of art and (hopefully) engineering. What makes me sick is a 10K CD player.

[Jim Eck]

That is a nasty scratch on the Lp sitting on the Oracle, I don't think I would want that tearing at the stylus of my cartridge.

Jim

[atomicAdam]

That is a nasty scratch on the Lp sitting on the Oracle, I don't think I would want that tearing at the stylus of my cartridge.

Jim

sure that isn't just a reflection?...

(edit) - oh nevermind - I see what you are talking about now. maybe they were trying to prove something with the scratch.

[jrhymeammo]

Although I'm actively looking for an Oracle Mk IV or V this from Grant Fidelity is nice and reasonable, ~$1300

That's a nice looking deck. It sounds extremely tempting, especially with a 12" arm. I couldn't find any info on the tonearm mass. Just go ahead and buy it, and let us know how it sounds

JRA

[Jim Eck]

That's a nice looking deck. It sounds extremely tempting, especially with a 12" arm. I couldn't find any info on the tonearm mass. Just go ahead and buy it, and let us know how it sounds

JRA

Here is some more on the arm.

http://grantfidelity.com/site/files/...%20in%20UK.pdf

http://grantfidelity.com/site/Opera_Consonance_LP6.1

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=251780

Jim

[Jim Eck]

maybe they were trying to prove something with the scratch.

Could be.

Jim

[Jack in Wilmington]

Don't have any vinyl, but I can certainly appreciate those works of art. Just the bubble level alone must be worth $500 . Chubs, you work with Lathes and Bridgeports. You could probably build one of those.

Thanks for the idea. I run a big 5 axis CNC lathe every day. I think I'll write myself up a program and bang out a few clamps and see how they work. I'll try aluminum and brass and see which one works best.

[poppachubby]

Thanks for the idea. I run a big 5 axis CNC lathe every day. I think I'll write myself up a program and bang out a few clamps and see how they work. I'll try aluminum and brass and see which one works best.

I actually came across a plan with numbered values for a weight, one night while surfing the topic. Have a look, they're out there. Be a breeze with a CNC...

[Jack in Wilmington]

I actually came across a plan with numbered values for a weight, one night while surfing the topic. Have a look, they're out there. Be a breeze with a CNC...

That would help. By just looking at it in the picture, I'm just quessing at the dimensions.

[Jim Eck]

To me the Thorens weights are a work of art.







Forgive the dirty Lp, it wasn't actually playing, photo only.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program, which is already in progress.

Jim

[poppachubby]

How heavy is that Jim?

[Jim Eck]

How heavy is that Jim?

First search came back with this, http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Stabilizer (1.21 pounds) I can weigh mine and give better measurements if you would like, I have a micrometer available at work, as well as a very good balance.

Jim

[Jack in Wilmington]

First search came back with this, http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Stabilizer I can weigh mine and give better measurements if you would like, I have a micrometer available at work, as well as a very good balance.

Jim

I was wondering that also. If you're using a record clamp, do you need a speed box to compunsate for the added weight?

[Jim Eck]

Typically clamps don't have much mass and utilize the spindle and a some sort of tightening/friction device to hold them down tight to the mat/platter, weights on the other hand use weight and mass as their means of holding the Lp tight to the mat/platter.

I have not, it actually will help maintain proper speed and reduce any wow that might be present by adding mass to the platter, thus when up to speed the additional mass helps to compensate turning the platter into a flywheel.

On some supension turntables you may need to adjust for the addtional weight if the springs are weak, as with the Thorens weight being over a pound it can compress weak springs to the point of being ineffective, but having a weight that is not heavy enough to do the job would be just going through the motions.

Jim