both are great, but you may want to consider the thorens td350 too. it is among the best thorens models ever made, and is based on the same (but refined) fundamental virtues of the original 'classic' thorens models. of the two you're considering, the nottingham is built like a tank and one of the most reliable made. no fuss either. |
I have compared the NA, Kuzma Ref, and the Verdier. I went with the Verdier. It is a much more sophisticated design with its magnetic platter. Its motor drive is the weak link, but it can be upgraded.
The sound quality of a stock Verdier beats the NA Hyperspace. It has a blacker background, more detail, but warmer than the NA. |
Interested in what Jaybo said myself beacuse I just am not sure the Hypersapce is the way for me to go.I am thinking of getting out of VPI Aries and into a multi arm deck but thought to equal what I have in sound qual;ity I would have to get Teres.Less pricey would be a Scheu (in this country Eurolab) both of which support two arms or (hitrd I think if you get base model) the Clearaudio Solution.Not crazy about the "space design" on Nottingham though I am really after performance.And if Hyperspace would do it there are a number of phono's or full Pre's that have MM AND a MC input.Best especially if you went with Clearaudio would be Asthetix Rhea (but at $4K maybe out of my range).It has three inputs which allow you to set everything from Gain,Capicitance,
Polarity,Stereo or Mono etc all held in in three seperate inputs each with it's settingsa held ina memory.Pretty trick.But if I stay with tube (VPI I have or Graham) or head swapping (SME309?)to achieve multiple cartidge use one or two inputs is fine.But Nottingham maybe least expensive way to get second armboard so I am going to re-read reviews. Desicions,decisons in this stupid hobbyit's enough to make you just get and Ipod and download everything like 99.9999% of the world who think were nuts.
Chazz |
what tone arm you had on the Platine and the hyperspace?
what is the problem with the Verdier motor drive
and how it can be fix |
The Verdier is fitted with a SME V and Shelter 501. My dealer wanted me to upgarde to a Schroder though I have done nothing yet.
I believe Tron in UK makes a custom drive for the Verdier. Galibier makes a motor drive that Verdier owners have used. There are quite a few options. |
Ledoux,
Get the Schroeder! Any Schroeder will be better than your SME 5. The best upgrade though for the Platine is a Battery PSU. I have the GT Audio PSU for my PV/SChroeder 2/Allaerts MC1b. THe battery supply transformed the Platine by reducing the noise level even further and providing much greater dynamic range.
Charlie |
Charlie,
Thanks for the advice. Too many things to upgarde, the arm, the cartdridge, and now the battery pack! Do you connect the PSU directly to the Verdier motor drive or do you need the GT Audio motor?
Birdyy8,
Back to the original thread compairing the Verdier and the NA. I believe the NA Hyperspace is comparable to a Teres 200 series or lower 300 series , a Kuzma Ref., or a VPI Aries. The Veridier is a different proposition as is its price range. |
Ledoux,
I haven't heard a Hyperspace but I have two friends with Verdiers, I owned a Teres 265 and now use a 320. I'd like to offer a different perspective.
To my ears the 320 is a better table than an unmodded Verdier and even the 265 beats it in some ways. The PV's noisy motor and torque-robbing silk thread severely limit its performance. The PV has the world's quietest bearing, but if the motor is noisy and the table can't maintain accurate speed through stylus drag...
I agree a PV with a better motor and drive belt (as from Galibier) would probably match or outplay a 320, as it should for 2x the price.
Not trying to start a fight. But IME anyone considering a PV should understand they won't get top class performance with the stock drive system. A new Galibier table would play better for less money out of the box, since it already comes with a good motor and belt.
Best,
Doug
|
"Not trying to start a fight. But IME anyone considering a PV should understand they won't get top class performance with the stock drive system. A new Galibier table would play better for less money out of the box, since it already comes with a good motor and belt."
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Debatable. A PV is $6500-$7000 new. If you think the motor is an issue, you can get, for example, a TW Acustic DC motor + controller + belt for $2500. That puts you at $9000-$9500. Some Galibier options are less than that, but it seems most are there or higher. In any case, the PV mag bearing is a big plus...you can always do something about the motor at any time...perhaps when it fails? |
Ledoux,
The standard option 1 GT Audio battery PSU links to the standard black motor unit. If you go for the fancy option 2 battery supply, you will need to add the GT Audio Motor Housing as well. I have the option 1, which is very good. It just removes the noise floor and the quiet passages are inky black and silent.
For the time being use the SME V and the 501. When you do buy a Schroeder, just use the second arm board and sell the arm that you don't like. The best value Schroeder is the Model 2 carbon, which I use with my Allaerts MC1B (again best value Allaerts model).
Hope this helps and have a Happy Christmas!
Charlie |
Doug,
Thanks for the Teres 320/Verdier comparison. I have always wondered about the relative value of the two decks. It does seem that a Verdier is not a great value compared to a Teres 320. Oh well!
In the end, I believe the mag platter/bearing is a smart solution, short of a pressurized/expensive system like the Rockport, Walker, or Verdier's Magnum. It is clearly maintanence free with no valve or tubing to worrying about. And that is why I like it, not to mention that it can really make beautiful music.
Charlie,
I will keep your upgarde suggestions in mind. Thanks.
And a Happy holiday to you all!
Ledoux |
You can do the Platine Verdier motor DC conversion yourself. It costs less than $200 and easy to do yourself. I can provide the circuit on how to do it. |
