Recommendations For New Table/Arm Under $4k

Dcstep, Is the Artisan Audio tonearm (the arm included in the $4045 package) the one you were referring to when you mentioned "a decent arm"? If it
wasn't, which arm was?

I'm trying very hard to learn from your comments, but you're use of the word "decent" as it relates to Galibier tonearm offerings is not clear to me.

Thanks.

Tvad, as I've said several times before, I thought that the Serac with the recommended arm pairing was $4600. The company's web site doesn't give any pricing info so I searched around and found a couple of references to $4600, so that's what I thought it cost with a "decent" arm. ("Decent" meaning what the marketer recommends).

Apparently that was either a different arm or you know of a lower price. It's that simple, nothing mysterious. If their web site clearly stated prices I might not have gotten confused.

Dave

"Decent" meaning what the marketer recommends.

Dave
Dcstep (System | Reviews | Threads |
Answers)

That's what I wanted to know. Galibier's recommendation as opposed to your opinion of the quality of the arm.

Thanks. That's helpful.

07-26-08: Dcstep
The company's web site doesn't give any pricing
info...

Actually, Galibier does provide pricing info. Click on "Products"
from the menu near the top of the Galibier main page. Then, on the Products
page, click on the photo of the product to wish to research. Each product's
page has complete pricing info, if applicable.

The Serac pricing is here (scroll down)..

Thanks. How could I miss that? I retraced my steps and I was looking around on the "Order" page and saw references to the Euro/$ exchange rate and delivery backlog estimates, but no pricing. I guess I got waylayed in scrolling down the "Serac" page by clicking on the "Bearing" or some other button before I got low enough on the page.

Unlike Bill, I'm not constantly in the market for a TT, but I'll give another listen at this year's RMAF. Maybe the room will be more helpful this year.

Dave

I would concur with previous advice. I am a new Galibier owner and can chat with you off-line regarding my experience (it was excellent).

If you are willing to stretch your $4000 'limit', you might also consider the TW Acustic Raven or the Teres 260/265. I've been fortunate to audition them all and each is outstanding in bringing you closer to the music. It's simply a matter of finding the one that matches your taste.

If you are thinking about going down this path, you're investing in the person behind the table. Fortunately you can't do better than the three principals: Jeff Catalano at Highwater Sound distributes TW Acustic, Chris Brady the designer of the Teres and Thom Mackris at Galibier are passionate about music and they treat their customers well.

I've also had the opportunity to spend some time with Ralph Bagge from Artisan and he is also first class and he gets extra points for being a White Stripes fan! I haven't had the chance to listen to the Artisan arm.

One final thought: if you purchase one of these tables you won't worry anymore about analog. You might trade of up for a better Teres or the bigger TW Acustic, but you'll stop thinking about other turntables and you'll just enjoy the music.

Remember, if you buy the best it only hurts once!