Micro Seiki, or TW AC-1


I'm trying to decide between Micro Seiki RX 5000 and TW AC-1.
They are approx. the same price used (about $10K)
Both are belt drive.
Unfortunately, I don't have a first hand experience with either of the tables.
You can see my current set-up in my system page.
The reason, I want to make a change from DD TT to belt drive is just to try a different approach.
Also, I have a feeling, that the bass would be one of the areas, where MS and TW might have an edge over my current DD Technics SP-10 MkII
My endeavor into analog is fairly new, so I'm not sure what my final choice in analog would be, unless I try it in my own system.
What I'm really interested in is the following:
Sonic differences b/w MS, TW and Technics SP-10 MkII
Reliability
Service availability.
maril555
Suteetat...I give the speed control switch on my Raven One just a very quick flip up or down as many times as I need to(I've found the push button control of little or no help)while simultaneously checking the rotational speed of the platter with the excellent K-A-B SpeedStrobe disc and Quartz lock strobe light. I've had no real problem setting the platter speed dead on. I then flip the other toggle switch to lock it in. I've also had virtually no or extremely miniscule issues with any platter speed drift over a considerable period of time.
Solong your experiences with the Raven are flabbergasting. My Final Audio Parthenon, built in the 70's, using an AC motor/20kg platter, has infinite control of speed at both 33 & 45, and the amount of torque applied to the motor is fully adjustable to optimise speed stability and minimise motor vibration.
The real killer though is that I have a Thorens TD126mk2 that I use for 78's also built in the 70's - this has a wein bridge oscillator speed control & rubber belt as standard and it can hold speed accurately, even when putting the 1.8kg record stabiliser from the Final Audio on there was no speed adjustment required and the speed holds.
It just makes you wonder whether the advent of digital controllers in modern motor technology is simply not good enough for audio.
It just makes you wonder whether the advent of digital
controllers in modern motor technology is simply not good enough for audio.

I think, it is a general problem of our modern time : Maximum Profit
Analog reproduction has a lot of it, most customers want "good
Sound" and that's it. Instead of thinking about what is done in their units
they tell the world how "great" their last buy is. We all know these
stories...
Even when the motor is a good one, there are much, much, much more details
which will end finally in a superior sonic result. Escaping to Direct Drives may
be a solution for some, but they have other problems which block a - real -
outstanding sonic Performance. There are simply rules of Physic which can be
ignored from users, but technically it is the way it is..
Solution? I think, there is no hope, 10 years ago I thought, Turntables will be
improved but unfortunately Brain is replaced with Marketing gimmicks (Multi
Motors, Wood Arms on a String, PRaT etc...) and Boutique Pricing replace well
thought, final solutions.
Outsourcing is also not the solution when the Manufacturer has to rely on
others because he has no idea about what is responsible for what.
All that is a explanation why - especially in Europe - some go back to the
"good old times" with their Equipment. but here we have the same
situation: You should know what to buy.
Digital Hardware has some advantages, Timeline Strobe can't be used ... :-)
Syntax who is holding you back from making the great motor/controller you lazy POS. The market is emmense, can't you see it. Go save us, maybe you can win a Nobel prize.

Lets call a spade a spade, your whole gig is the "marketing" of yourself (the expert consulant) and a few odd hardware items (at least from what I have seen). Funny how its OK for you market yourself but when others do it its "gimmicky". Really?

Its ok ot make money. But looking at your "system" page its nice for you that people pay you money. You have a lot of pricy stuff, it must be a lot of money. You don't strike me as some kind of Robbin Hood.
... you back from making the great motor/controller you
lazy POS

I am not a manufacturer nor a deaf Dealer who sells inferior products to
customers with wrong promises. I am a regular customer who prefers Designs
done right (or close to it).
I think, I am not the right person for your "questions" :-)