Raven One

I just got my Raven One up off it's feet and onto a Sistrum SP004 stand sitting on a new 1" slab of slate. I wanted to order the Sistrum sp-1 but they are currently backordered, and I should get it in 3-4 weeks.

I was actually pretty shocked hearing the table up on the stand/slate.

On Joni Mitchells new Blue pressing the first time I heard her voice it was quite a bit more realistic and jumped out at me. It seemed thinner but more extended at the same time, as if clarified.

On Oscar Peterson's Night Child LP, the last cut, 'Teenager' has some nice cymbal work that always impressed me in it's realism, since I used to play the drums. The bell is mostly played, and up on the Sistrum/slate the presentation was quite different.

As opposed to the nice bell sound I was getting, I am now getting a midrange wide scope of metal being hit. There are quite a bit more textures being displayed. I'm sure some drummer some place could now tell exactly what size and manufacturer it it, and even that maybe it is even a little flat in spots.

There are some other fine details that pop out of the recording in other cuts, like one of the musicians humming along maybe? I'm not quite sure, but I do think that in some systems, this could be an ideal platform for the table.

The table just sounds faster as well, and I think I am getting more bass since I seem to be turning down my bass amp more, and maybe hearing room mode more. I dont think this is feedback, but maybe more bass energy being transmitted, which of course will exacerbate any room modes.

It has only been a few hours since seting this up, and I have noticed with my Sistrum stands under my speakers that they do get even better after a day or two (but I fail to understand why, but Starsound indicates this can happen)

I also get the impression of everything being shifted down in the frequency spectrum a bit. Maybe this is simply a function of the table being new tuned to a different resonance point?

So the cute little Micky Mouse eared table gets even better.

I'm not sure if Starsound has a 30 day return policy, but I think anyone with a Raven One or AC should try this. (though as I said the SP1 or even SP-101 may be a better match, especially for the size of the AC) Thomas from TW seemed to think it may be a good idea to try this combo out, and he was the one that suggested the slate.

ADDENDUM:

I am getting getting acoustic breakthrough with this setup tapping the wooden stand the table sits on. With the Millenium feet attached, there was no breakthough, so obviously they were well designed and provided some type of suspension.

The trick for me now will be to keep the profound benefits of the Sistrum stand and try to eliminate the breakthrough that I feel may be muddying up and increasing the bass a little bit.

Also my table is within a few feet of my speakers, so this may be more of an issue for me than for other people's rooms.

I'd like to find people with other unsuspended table using Sistrum stands to see thier setups.

Someone suggested a Minus K platform, but I understant that while excellent, is rather expensive for the level of improvement.

I think what I plan to do is once I get my preamp back and can play CD's (I'm analog only right now) I will

put the needle on a record that is not spining, then play a CD and pink/white noise, then take the output of my phono pre and

hook that up to my computer and analyze the breakthrough I am getting to see what level I am getting and at what frequencies.

This I suppose could help in determining how I want to proceed from there.

World's first Raven One review:

http://www.stereomojo.com/TW%20Acustic%20Raven%20One%20Review/TW_ACUSTIC_RAVEN_ONE_TURNTABLE_REVIEW.htm

My Raven One TT is everything the StereoMojo review describes and everything I could wish for in a TT.
I needed a TT which was compact enough to fit on my Hutter Racktime rack top shelf, light enough to move without backstrain, able to use 2 arms so I could use more than one cartridge at a time, and deliver the sound quality both myself and my system require. All this at a reasonable price. Tough order. I looked and listened and researched for a long time before ordering a Raven One.
This TT is frankly just terrific. Easy to set up even with two arms, solid build quality, high quality bearing, pleasing appearance, and sound quality far beyond it's price point.
I'm not going into a lengthy sonic description other than to say it's amazing.
My thanks to Jeff Catalano at Highwater sound for his professionalism and patience working with a new out of town customer. Great dealer who offers high quality service to his customers along with exceptional products.

I just wanted to post a follow up that getting the correct size Sistrum stand has really taken an already stellar sounding table to a new level. I had the SP-03 temporarily since the SP-1 was out of stock.

The Sistrum SP-03 was a nice improvement in speed and resolution over the stock Millenium feet, but the SP-1 takes this to a new level. The bass foundation has become much more solid. Even tics and pops sound different, like they are archored. I am getting better imaging as well, and my speakers "dissapear" better now.

I believe they offer a 30 day trial. If you have a Raven One (other tables may benefit as well) I strongly suggest you try the SP-1 now they have them in stock. I'd love to get other owners reactions to hear if they get the major improvement I have gotten.

Not sure what size might be needed on a Raven AC though. I know TW Acustic recommends Stillpoints, which I have not compared but I believe that they provide some suspension while the Sistrum is pure mechanical grounding. I have mine sitting on a 1" slate (as TW suggests) Also keep in mind my preference is to have no mat or clamp, as they dull the sound in my system too much.