Raven AC3

Anyone else feel that a dealer should not be trying to sell his own TT's in a thread about a TT he doesn't carry? Seems very rude to me.

I can't comment on the sound of the Merrill but the look is very unappealing to me. The feet in particular are ugly. The feet look like they are some sort of rubber. IME rubber feet tend to soften the sound too much.

I don't have a Raven AC-3 but do have a new Raven AC-1. The build quality is second to none. If your musical tastes include black velvety backgrounds, smooth refined (but not rounded) highs, and solid bass extension then this is a good table to audition. I also have the TW 10.5 tonearm and highly recommend it. TW customre service is also excellent.

I'm sure there are other fine tables out there, and I have a friend with a Merrill. It's just not my cup of tea. I've seen the Kronos. Sexy table. Just not much track record for it yet. Personally I wouldn't want to be a beta-tester for that kind of money.

It is black, it is heavy and you can whip your feet while listening to Chamber
music ... don't get me wrong. I really enjoy listening to it.

When someone pays me for that...

Anyone else feel that a dealer should not be trying to sell his own TT's in a thread about a TT he doesn't carry? Seems very rude to me.

I agree. It's obnoxious.

I agree with Wrm57. This thread is about the Raven AC3.

I've heard it in the distributor's room at two audio shows. It sounded dark and and less than neutral to me each time. However, this may have been the tube electronics and horn speakers. In other words, the set up. An audio buddy has the Raven One (I believe) with Wilson Sashas and Lamm electronics and his system does not sound dark at all.

I think the Raven would benefit from isolation on a Vibraplane or other serious isolation platform.