Basis Audio makes very fine, highly regarded vinyl playback products. Some of the best vinyl rigs I've ever heard were fronted by Basis Turntables.
Ripoff? No, absolutely not! Worth it? Only you can answer that question as value is in the eyes, and wallet, of the beholder. Is a Rolex worth it? A Bugatti Veyron worth it? Only if you can truly afford it.......
Maybe it would be better to tell us what Basis products you are interested in buying and what are the costs. Unless someone is raising Basis prices based on the recent demise of the designer, Basis Audio always seemed to me to be good value for money. If you want rip-offs in vinyl gear, there are much riper targets than Basis. BUT I don't know what you are looking at and for how much.
Basis makes a great high precision item with a very high performance level. The Basis tonearm is an excellent tonearm. I had a Vector 3 and the performance, compared to a Rega or something in that range, was so much better it was hard for me to believe my ears.
SR is a scam, but I’m not calling Basis that, just curious about the value proposition.
Is the 1400 worth it, it would I be much happier with the next level up? How much is Basis’ perscision engineering worth compared to other, perhaps less, exacting standards at that price point (VPI, Pro-Ject, etc)?
Then , please , tell us all what you yourself gauge against a product of Basis’ calibre from the base level on up, to even have a reason to ask , or more to the point and truth, make false innuendo in the first place with the term "rip off". What do YOU , personally own and use now to be so suspect. It must be spectacular in "your" opinion to not see what all others see as precise , quality built AND sounding products, at least as plainly as we see the reason for your post from the get go. If you have to ask a question such as this , I definitely would suggest you, yourself, learn THE BASICS about all things analog and better ways to camouflage your intentions.........................
Value is in the eye of the buyer and user, maybe more so in audio than in any other hobby. For example, while I have defended Basis Audio products just as most others have done, I too think that SOME (not all) of the Synergistic Research stuff is suspect. I only mention that to point out that each of us has his or her own threshold for suspending disbelief.
Actually, the used prices for Basis tables seems amazingly low. Yes, 5k for a Vector 4 arm is a lot of money, but that seems to be what the traffic will bear for most good arms.
Most of Basis' models don't look quite as elegant as comparably priced models of some of their competitors. Basis hardly puts any money into visual aesthetics. Given that a lot of buyers DO place a lot of value in looks, I can see how Basis loses some "value" points in that department. Basis excels in other ways. The build quality is superb and all parts are precisely made to very tight tolerances. You will not see any wobble at all in the rotation of their platters, for example, something that cannot be said of all tables (if you look really closely).
Whether or not one will like the sound of their arm/table combinations is also a matter of taste. Their tables are very much into damping vibration, both external vibration or vibration generated by the table itself or vibration from the stylus tracking a record. Some systems (and their owner's taste) favor such highly damped tables, some prefer a more lively sound (to detractors, Basis tables sound "dark" or "dead").
Hence, Basis tables are certainly not a "ripoff," but like any other table, they can be the wrong table for any particular individual.
Don't judge a component until you actually hear it, if possible. The most ordinary looking components just may be the one to deliver the best sound to your ears.
Not only do I agree completely with James, but I would add that lots of dollars are spent on bling, only, adding nothing to performance. If that's what one wants, it's perfectly ok, but being aware of this factor is a good idea.
I have had Basis Gold Debut for 20+ years, never had any troubles, replaced motor once as upgrade about 10 years ago. Very stable and great sound! Are they worth the money? Definite yes.
I love my Basis 2001 with the original (1st) Vector arm. Sounds good to me, but then again, I have not heard any turntables in my system. Compared to my digital rig (Lampizator Big 7 and Aurender N10) it always sounds better when playing the same songs/recordings.
When I got my Basis Debut Signature, I was thinking it had a kind of additional premium price tag. Not for everybody to buy. But when I am comparing design and precision with other brands I find it difficult to find any better alternative. If anyone know a better alternative and WHY it is better I defenitely want to know. Always looking for improvements..
One more thing about Basis - amazing customer service. I sent them my motor, bearing and platter to check out and they did it in one day. Adjusted the motor, oiled the bearing, checked tolerances and speed stability. All for a $120 service charge. Great company.
I compared the Basis Vector 3 to a Basis branded Rega, a Rega 600, and a Rega based Origin OL-1 silver.
It was significantly better than all of them. Better bass response and the imaging was so much better it is hard to describe. I was using a Shelter 901 cartridge at the time.
madavid, This & your tonearm thread are absolutely ridiculous. Be happy with what you have & when you can move on. Or just move on & leave our happy little community alone.
Table builders that make damping vibration generated from the playing of the record itself (energy dissipating platter, clamping systems design to dissipate vibrations generated by the playing of the record, extremely rigid tonearms designed to transmit away energy fed into the tonearm from the cartridge being shaken by the tracking of the groove) do sound dramatically quieter. Surface imperfections of the record that cause a sharp impulse do not resonate and prolong the even so they pass quickly and sound much less obtrusive. That is particularly obvious with the Basis table/arm, particularly with vacuum hold-down.
I've also heard this type of performance from the bigger ClearAudio table/arm combinations.
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