Anybody heard Galibier or JC Verdier turntables?

The PV does not, IME, have quite the dynamic strength and punch that a Galibier is likely to have. My Teres 320 has more PRaT than a PV, for exactly the same reasons Salectric named (tape drive vs. silk thread). Belt stability and grip make a huge difference in lifelike reproduction from LP's.

Battery power is also a benefit. It lowers the noise floor and removes any 60Hz leakage that could affect absolute speed stability in the motor. This too is audible in a good system, though less so than belt differences IME.

OTOH, that zero-friction PV bearing has some benefits. It ought to last literally forever, as BigBucks5 already pointed out. The bearing in a Galibier or Teres does support a lot of weight, and they definitely do not last forever. (Trust me.)

OTOOH, the floating PV bearing alters the platter height depending on record weight. If you're the set-and-forget type for arm height you might find this "self-adjusting" record height rather annoying. If you set SRA for every LP, as I do, it might not be such a big deal since you'll be adjusting arm height anyway.

Ah, for the perfect turntable. Maybe I should just learn to sing and play the violin. :-)

SirSpeedy,

Interesting ideas about the PV's magnetic bearing. So when exactly did you hear a PV and a Galibier in the same system?

Dan,

I don't know where Thom may have taken his bearing, but the description on his site still sounds pretty familiar to a Teres owner.

Our new one is operating just fine. The experimental one failed but it was just an experiment. "Sir" Paul and I would prefer even harder materials for the bearing surfaces. Not only for longevity but for reduced friction, as emphasized by Bigbucks5 and SirSpeedy.

Thom,

Yes, Teres is also still using a replaceable thrust plate with delrin button.

I've observed the dimple you described on all three of the Teres bearings I've used and then inspected.

Question: what prevents the wear/erosion process that turns a convex button into a concave dimple from continuing indefinitely?