SAT Comparison


MF has kindly provided unidentified needledrops of 2 new versions of the SAT arm (incl one priced at $48K).
These can be found in the latest entries on his Analog Planet web page.

Listening to the first few seconds of each track on iPad speakers I found the “winner” (for me at least...) to be “1” followed by “3” then “2” with “4” the least preferred.

Just for fun, I invited my wife, who has no audio experience or interest whatsoever, who knew nothing about the files or the hardware or anyone else’s preferences, named her order of preference as 1-3-2-4, again listening to only the first few seconds of each file. Unlike myself she didn’t need 1-3/2-3 double checks she just identified them straight off. Impressive!

I wouldn’t be so rash as to assume that “1” was the most expensive “SAT” or that “2” was the original model.
(For the sake of the expensive model I would hope so! ;)
See what you think...

It’ll be interesting to know what the wildcard “4” turns out to be...

moonglum

Showing 5 responses by lewm

Which is why my wife can always hear the phone conversation,when I am planning to go out for a drink with friends. However, she often cannot hear me when I ask what’s for dinner.
Let's keep bumping this thread until Fremer reveals what tonearm was on what recording and how that contrasts with listener preferences.  I personally am far too jaded and lazy to listen for myself, but I am interested in how the $48,000-SAT will fare compared to others.  The price has got to be someone's definition of chutzpah.
 What you said is partly why I won’t bother to try. I am skeptical of trying to judge an analog sound via a digital process. 
Dear bdp, Surely the person who can afford a $48,000 tonearm has already built the acoustically perfect listening room that you aspire to. It’s not a question of one or the other.
 Perhaps I would rephrase my post above by stating instead that a person who can afford a $48,000 tonearm is not likely to care about his or her listening room. Because the tonearm is just for show. Just like Fabio’s  $2 million system.  And just like those guys who installed expensive systems in their lofts in fancy parts of New York City.