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
I was the one that raised the question of system synergy, given some of the diverse descriptions of sound, from too much leading edge, to dark and dead. I don't own an AC table; I'm using the Kuzma XL and Airline and am not promoting that either (although I've been quite happy with it, other than the pump for the arm).
Bill Hart
Syntax, Thanks for putting this foolishness in perspective and for the laughs.
Jonathan,

Just to help people know a little more about you. OMA stands for Oswald Mills Audio. You used to manufacture your wn slate turntable. Not sure if it still in production. If I remember correctly it was an idler drive.

And as for synergy, if you don't know how to stabilize your turntable and isolate it you will never know it is capable of. The difference is night & day. So if the turntable didn't work out it can be several things including system synergy & isolation. That I know as I have my turntable isolated extremely well and only after doing such did I realize the potential. My room has been extensively treated as well. All of this makes a difference. Too much bass can lead to feedback in the wrong system & setup.
I've been following this thread and have always been interested in a TW table but now hearing from current owners who say they know their tables are not "spot on" and previous owners who say TWs are dark and lifeless I think I'll look elsewhere.
Rsf507,

I think you will find quite a few TW owners who haven't experienced those issues. I can tell you I have the blackest backgrounds, lowest noisefloor, great tight bass and shoe-tapping rhythm and pace. Great depth, sound staging, air and musicality without sacrificing detail.

Why the disparate opinions? Not sure. I wold refute the idea that pleased TW owners don't have critical ears, or experience in analong with other analog rigs to compare to. I do think indeed its system matching, rooms, and arms and carts and phono stages that can also affect results.

I'm extrememly happy with my TW AC-1 and TW10.5 arm with a dynavector XV-1s and Rowland Cadence phono.

My friend let me borrow his MS - 5000 this weekend as the result of this thread. Frankly, it's speed control is worse than the TW and noise floor is much more noisy than the TW. That being said it is built like a tank, but no better tan the TW. I'm not sure if his motor is functioning properly as he as had issues with it to be fair. But in my room, in my system, with my listening preferences, the TW is the better table - FOR ME.

I'm not saying that the TW AC-1 would be a better table for everyone. Listening tastes, rooms and other associated equipment may interact differently.

Thus far in my room I've had a a Linn LP12, Denon 45P, VPI Classic 1, VPI Aries, VPI Aries 3, Audiomeca Romance, MS 5000, and the TW AC-1.