Is this why my analog rig isn't so hot?

"There's so little to say about something so wrong." Careful, don't commit to a real position on anything too specific.

I suggest that others go and read the rest of Yourmama's posts here on Audiogon. He/she seems very good at knocking down whatever product is handy for his/her attacks but never seems to offer a definite, hard example of what he/she prefers or recommends. Whenever he/she does mention a product name it is always something that he/she isn't using at the time. But I can understand that. It is very hard to hit a moving target.

Hi Ken,

Good to hear from you!

I'm not holding on to the Basis because I refuse to believe it's not a good table. I'm just trying to make do with what I've got. And changing the arm really fooled me. It got better, alright, but maybe, not that much better than it should?

Where would you begin if you were in my place?

Regards,
George

Hi Dan,

I know nothing about ' Yomama's' posting history but I completely concur with his observations regarding the Basis tt and George's present situation. I know George's Gaincard/Essence system context quite well and thru his postings at the 47 Labs mailing list, have come to gain some small degree of insight into his musical values.IMO, he's simply steering towards a dead end in regards to his vinyl rig. He could manipulate the spectral balance with a different cartridge or ditch the wonderful but warmish Phonocube to add sparkle to the dark spectral balance but the sucked out harmonic structure and truncated note shapes inherent in the Basis' design can't easily be repaired.

best,
Ken

Dear yourmama: Right now Ngeorge knows what you hear in some Basis/Graham/Benz combos: you don't say which Benz models, with which electronics, with which loudspeakers, which cables, in what kind of enviorement ( room, dimensions,...), with what records you hear it.
So there are many issues that Ngeorge and us unknowed and there are others like: which is your analog audio experience, what kind of music do you prefer, which is your music bias, how many hours do you listen to live music every week, which is your ears frecuency response and how do you appreciate the music, which is your analog rig. I ask you to share with us all these information.
As you can see it is very difficult, with out those info, to Ngeorge and us to understand clearly yours means.
BTW, the issue in this forum is to try to help to other people, in this case to George, and try to learn from any one: so, I ask to you ¿which will be your whole specific recomendation for George ?
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Hi George,

Understood.
The Linn is most certainly a possibility as is an original pre- hyperspace plattered Nott Spacedeck. If you'd prefer a new table,maybe check out a Michell Gyro SE if you can. Surprisingly, the little VPI Scout ain't bad either if you can foot the SDS psu.Both the Michell and VPI can be purchased in a modest configuration and incrementally brought up to spec, the Michell attaining a slightly higher level than the Scoutmaster.
If you've more cash to squander, look into the Avid Volvere(not the Acutus), Michell Gyro SE with Orbe platter(rather than full Orbe, DPS(Willy Bauer's Der Platenspeiler) or a Roksan Xerxes X.Arm choices would vary with the deck and/or cartridge.
As a general rule(such as "rules" go),if you want something nimble, stay away from overtly massive platters and acrylic based decks. The problem with the Basis comes from the latter. All that plastic resin has a very specific damping property that sucks the life and air out of the music.Don't even think about a Clearaudio or Teres.

best,
k