I own the Townshend Rock 7. I've been listening to vinyl as my main source since 1973 and I am a picky SOB. I would easily put my TRock up against tables many times its price. The reason behind my confidence is not the overall build quality (there are certainly better fit & finish examples out there at higher price points), but one ingenious feature that puts it in class by itself: the fluid filled trough and head shell assembly.
Although The Well tempered also uses a viscous fluid to damp vibrations in the tonearm, the Rock does it at the cartridge! This neutralizes so much of the vibration that the stylus is normally susceptible to and allows it to convey its minute signals down the chain uncolored by vibrations except those it tracked in the grooves.
The amazing result is that the tonearm becomes less important. I have the Townshend Excalibur 3 arm, but even a good Rega arm sounded absolutely breathtaking.
I'm listening to the Beatles White Album as I write this and the sound is so alive and musical that it's difficult to focus on this post. Feel free to ask any questions, I'm going to focus on the music for a while.
Although The Well tempered also uses a viscous fluid to damp vibrations in the tonearm, the Rock does it at the cartridge! This neutralizes so much of the vibration that the stylus is normally susceptible to and allows it to convey its minute signals down the chain uncolored by vibrations except those it tracked in the grooves.
The amazing result is that the tonearm becomes less important. I have the Townshend Excalibur 3 arm, but even a good Rega arm sounded absolutely breathtaking.
I'm listening to the Beatles White Album as I write this and the sound is so alive and musical that it's difficult to focus on this post. Feel free to ask any questions, I'm going to focus on the music for a while.