Turntable Wars- Reviewers take sides


Seems that there's an undeclared war between the top analogue writers on just who makes 'The Best Turntable in the World'.....
For the last 9 years Michael Fremer has stood firm behind the Continuum Caliburn but now Jonathan Valin has thrown down the gauntlet
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/acoustic-signature-invictus-turntable-and-ta-5000-tonearm/
whilst Peter Breuninger gives you his 'guarantee' for the Kronos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYDHnH3FfV4
and Roy Gregory goes for the Grand Prix Monaco
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/grand_prix_monaco_15.htm

But hold your horses....
There appears to be a new 'Player' about to be introduced which may shake the established wisdom (although at a price of around 280,000 Euros I wonder how many reviewers will get one?)...
http://www.arche-headshell.de/the-apolyt/
128x128halcro
They can take sides all they want and they can BS all they want, it is all meaningless.  PB and JV have never had a VPI Direct Drive in house with the same cartridge on both tables, plus the tables must be on the same stand.  MF had his Caliburn on a $25,000 isolation platform and the VPI DD was on whatever was there and it still was just as good, I was there I heard the comparison.  These reviewers build up friendships and the only way to keep getting new and more expensive gear to listen to, gear they could never afford at retail, is to kiss there asses.

I know exactly how much it costs to make a turntable so these numbers are beyond stupid for the performance received.

I remember HP having the Clearaudio on its 700 pound seismic stand and the Classic 4 on a piece of 3/4" plywood and it really, really, sounded so close it was ridiculous.

They don't want you to know that the VPI DD is more accurate in all ways because then it makes these uber expensive decks a moronic choice.  This is the list of things a table has to do:
1- Start and run (I was at HP's house over and over, we were good friends, and most of the time these super decks were not running)
2- Run at the right speed with no wow or flutter (The VPI DD has 1/3 the speed error of the Caliburn and probably the rest of these belt drives and I could write a book about all the other super tables I have heard running at the wrong speed)
3- Still be made and have a warrantee
4- Deliver the smoothness and dynamic range of a reel to reel tape (No problem, I have over 500 reel to reels and 7 machines so I know what they sound like)
5- Be affordable in some way!!!!!!!!!

Seriously guys, how can they make these claims when no one other than MF has ever had the table in there system knowing that it is in Class A+ and measures so well.  They have never even asked!!!!!!!!!

HW
BTW, no one needs to spend more than $10K for a table to achieve world class sound and I might even kick that back to $5K if you pick your cartridge well.

There is no reviewer that has all the gear I have and have listened to and set up, they are wrong, 5K with a good matched cartridge.

HW
Best surprise Hanukkah present is seeing contributions from HW on Agon! Thanks for sharing your time & insights with us. 

Check out my icon image - tiny replica TNT6HR! Cheers,
Spencer


 

Wow, when do you begin making watches!!  Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all on Agon.


HW

I agree sbank.....great to see HW contributing here 😎
And in the true spirit of Festivus....he begins with ’The Airing of Grievances’....
They don’t want you to know that the VPI DD is more accurate in all ways because then it makes these uber expensive decks a moronic choice.
By the way...I agree with your admiration for the Victor TT-101 Harry
https://i.imgur.com/JEroaY8.jpg
What plinth and tonearm have you got yours set-up with and how does it compare to your VPI Direct?

And now.....onto ’The Feats of Strength’.....💪