Vpi vs. TW Acustic

Thanks, Sirspeedy for the information.

Hifigary - I think the Raven One would be a huge improvement over the Aries, and you will enjoy great music for many years to come.

There appear to be four discussion points on this thread: price, engineering, sound and the US dealer.

Price - The Raven One is quite a bit less than the SME 10 as a price point example, and there is no comparison between the two. The sonic qualities of the Raven are simply outstanding. Even the Raven Two is less than the SME 10. And as for the AC-1 - it is much less than the SME20 and a bit over half the price of the SME30. I'm not trying to pick on SME, but am simply using it as a pricing point.

Engineering - the Raven and AC are finely engineered tables - from the bearings to the platter, motors and isolation. There is no doubt that Thomas did his homework from an engineering perspective.

Sound – I have had both musicians and recording engineers comment that the table has the “best timing I have ever heard in a table”, that the “nuance in this table is unbelievable". And finally: "Musical - as close to being in the room with the musicians as you can get". When this comes from both the guys in front and behind the control room glass this says a lot.

Dealer – Jeff Catalano of High Water Sound is a fair, honest and reputable individual beyond reproach. He wants folks to be able to enjoy their system, and will work with them to match components to their specific systems. From my personal dealings with Jeff he has advised me on where it is worth spending money and where it is not – whether those funds be spent with him or with another dealer. He is not a high pressure sales guy but one who is interested in satisfied listeners in the end.

I own an AC-3, and as you can tell from my “sound” comments above I feel it has taken my analog rig to a new level. I am a happy, happy listener and that is the highest praise I can give to the price, engineering, sound, and US dealer of the TW Acustic tables.

I own both a TW Raven AC-3 and VPI HRX tables.

Both are wonderful sounding tables and each has their positives and negatives.

While I can appreciate Speedy trying to hype up the buy American view, stating that the TW or Transrotor or any other of the multiple German tables as being inedequate is plain silly.

We all should be rejoicing that turntables and analog in general is growing and we have more quality choices we can make than ever before.

Why did I buy my TW raven AC-3. Easy - freedom of choice. It is a well made product that will last forever. It's speed control is exceptional. The main selling point for me is the multiple arms and cartridges you can run at the same time. You can do it easily and it makes analog more fun - period.
I agree with Raul that tonearms with interchangable headshells is a great way to play with multiple cartridges.

BTW, Thomas's new VTA armboard looks like a Godsend for any great tonearm out there that does not have VTA on the fly like the VPI, Graham or Triplaner. This gives you more choice of tonearms.

anyway, support analog and spread the money around all the worthy global choices and we will all enjoy analog for a long time more.

cheers

Emailists: Could you comment on your additions, the platform, weights etc. There is a recent review on Stereomojo re weights and clamps. For all I know, it is your review. I would recommend a Raven owner having a look at the site. All I have done to my Raven one is add Stillpoint feet.

Peterayer:

Here's what I noticed:

1) Tonal balance: The VPI table & arm were dark in comparison. My room is not overly lively, but not too damped either, yet most vocals sounded muddy or recessed in the mix. There was very little sense of air etc. Switching to the Raven One/Triplanar all this changed. The top end just sings and is full of detail and life.

2) Weight: The Raven One is considerably lighter than the VPI (mine had the Super Platter which was very heavy) but the sound is much more weightier and full with the Raven. Instruments have more substance than they did before. Even the highs have weight where they were thinner sounding before.

3) More LPs sound good: Only a fraction of my collection sounded good before and I found that I'd keep the ones that did near the turntable and played them more for that reason. Now I go back and find LPs that sounded mediocre and find they sound great. I am enjoying my entire collection!

4) Analog is better than digital: I can now finally say this without fooling myself. Everything sounds organic, detailed and I can crank up the volume without harshness. I use a ModWright Transporter for digital (brings weight and a sense of analog to the sound), but it doesn't compare.

5) VTA on the fly! I never thought I'd appreciate this as much as I do, but it's wonderful to walk up the table and twist a dial and correct overal tonal balance. I do this instinctively, almost subconsiously. Further, all adjustments to setup are much easier.

6) I don't feel the need to use any sort of clamp. Mind you, based on other comments (including Emailists above) I did buy a clamp and copper mat to experiment with. But all in all, playing LPs has never been easier.

I could probably go on... but I need to go eat lunch. :-)