2. analog
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Time for a "massive" turntable: Spacedeck vs Scheu

I have been considering upgrading my analog setup for a while (Michell Tecnodec and Thorens TD150 MKII). I will keep the Thorens as a nice example of a classic suspended deck. After many "light" turntables, I now would love to give mass-loaded table a try:

- Nottingham Spacedeck with Ace-Space arm

- Scheu Premier MKII with Moerch UP4 tonearm

I have listened to the Spacedeck a couple of times and love its solid sonic foundation, black backgrounds, solid bass, and warm but extremely detailed and tuneful sound. I have not had a chance to listen to the Scheu but would love to hear some comments and about direct comparisons with the Nottingham.

List of previous analog setups

Remaining system:
Denon DL103R (as the initial cartridge)
Wright WPP200C phono (planned)
Fi Y, Super X, First Watt F1
Cain & Cain Abby

Any comments, experiences, recommendations?

Rene
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biomimetic
252 posts
 
I love my Spacedeck. If I buy another 'table it will be a Dais with my old spacearm for mono and and an Ace-Anna. I wouldn't change over to anything else. It reproduces as well as a Nagra reel-to-reel - which I have spent much time with. The Nagra's been around for forty + years and is still THE standard for recording the human voice. The SME's, VPI's, Clear Audio's and the rest I have heard, don't reproduce like that. Yorke's to me seem like novelty devices. Thom Galibier is a great guy who knows his doodoo and is helpful honest and cool. Thom Fletcher is a shy brilliant engineer who's also great in his standoffish way. I have also had good experiences with Transrotor and Scheu. All in all I guess I'm in that opposing camp.
analog11
2 posts
 
Teres would be my choice. I picked up a 255 here from Chris Brady. I put an OL Encounter on it and with the Teres VTA adjuster it's the best I have had in 30 years of owning tables. I have listened to the Spacedeck at a dealer several times and this bests it in clarity and weight by far. You can even put a Rega on it with the VTA adjuster...
sit
315 posts
 
For mass and quality have you condsidered the SOTA tables such as the Nova vacuum? The Origin Live Encounter arm or especially the Incognito work quite nicely on this table if you appreciate more natural sound. Match it with either a Shelter 901 or 90x cart and you will get "heavy".
biomimetic
252 posts
 
In the end my choice of a Space was probably as much about the arm as the motor - the Spacearm is actually one of the better arms around, with a unique way of working - the carbon fiber and unipivot, plus many small fine tuning choices. This and the overall thoughtout-ness, and set and forget aesthetic. Scheu's are similar in this regard, though have a different thoughtout-ness quality. Teres to me was for people in the gimble tonearm camp, and the tinkerers, or DIYers. I would rather listen to music. I do think Origin makes a strong table, but I prefer the quiet genius of the Space and it's low-torque motor, etc.
analog11
2 posts
 
Just to set the record straight...the Teres table is about as "tweaky" as a Rega P2. Probably even less with the VTA adjuster. Heck, you don't even have to use the power switch on the motor if you don't want to, just spin the platter to start and slow it by hand to stop. And if you want to play a 45 just hold down the power switch for 2 seconds and you have 45rpm. Oh yeah, no need for a strobe to check speed, it has one built in! And, and, and, the 1/2" recording tape belt might last 25 years.

Personal preferences aside, there are no good technical reasons to dismiss a table like the Teres. Especially if your personal preference leans towards unipivots....which, by the way, Teres recommends highly in many forms (Moerch, Graham, Schroeder).

The most valuable discussions are based on facts.
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