Advice on turntables needed

[floyd droid]

Way to go PP. Ok if like me you have a few TTs and fancy trying something different then s/h is no great shakes. But this is a tad different.

On the list you posted earlier ,with the exception of the Roksan cos I havnt had my mits on it , the Gyro blitzes all of them in my honest opinion. Great deck all round as it dosnt really do owt wrong. Regas dont do it for me , speed instability and wow like a good un. Sorry Rega fan boys but its there and I can hear it.

All of them will prolly give you the upgrade in sq that you want but the Gyro will give it you big time , but hey you may not like it so go listen.

 

[plastic penguin]

Certainly the Gyros look gorgeous - wouldn't look out of place in a art gallery. Would be a serious contender, as would some of the others I've mentioned, but my dealers only do one or two makes, while the Gyros are stocked at others. Pro-ject is the most accessible.

 

[drummerman]

Unipivots (Clearaudio Concept stock arm I think) have certain inherent weaknesses which make sense if you read into the technical side of it, so personally I would probably avoid them and choose something with 'proper' bearings.

Having said that, some like them and again, the correct match of cartridge/arm is arguably just as important.

regards

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Well, conventional ball bearing based tonearms also have inherent technical weaknesses, as do tonearms themselves, so perhaps the best way out is to buy a CD player?

 

[floyd droid]

Unipivots (Clearaudio Concept stock arm I think) have certain inherent weaknesses which make sense if you read into the technical side of it, so personally I would probably avoid them and choose something with 'proper' bearings.

Seems to me that you like the Techy side of things Mr D so if you geek up on Clearaudios Verify Tonearm you will see all aint as it appears . .

I couldnt get on with it at all compared to 'normal' unipivots.

 

[plastic penguin]

So what influence does the Unipivot have on SQ, and is it detectable in the average living room?

 

[floyd droid]

There is no definative answer to that PP. Like Gimbals they all sound different. If push comes to shove then 'generaly speaking' I would say from the ones I've heard that unis are lighter on their feet but lack a bit in the lower regions compared to gimbals. Caveat Emptor if you are looking at the Concept ,dont f**t within 5 yards of the deck or the stylus may jump out of the groove ,lol.

 

[plastic penguin]

There is no definative answer to that PP. Like Gimbals they all sound different. If push comes to shove then 'generaly speaking' I would say from the ones I've heard that unis are lighter on their feet but lack a bit in the lower regions compared to gimbals. Caveat Emptor if you are looking at the Concept ,dont f**t within 5 yards of the deck or the stylus may jump out of the groove ,lol.

So 6 yards would be okay then?

I've always known about bearings and Unipivitols, but unless you have a suspended floor and/or live with a herd of elephants can't see it being an issue. System matching is more relevant.

 

[drummerman]

The pivot point is usually higher and they are finicky to handle and use. Some are said to be fleeter of foot because of decreased friction but good arms with good bearings have such low friction that the trade off is said to be worth it.

Rather than me trying to find technical articles about the pros and cons of unipivots, I may give you a link to a very interesting conversation currently taking place over at vinylengine. I hope thats ok, can't remember.

Its a lengthy one but if you are planning to spend hundreds on Turntable it is worth taking the time reading through it, that is if you haven't done so already.

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=58779

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse.

regards

 

[plastic penguin]

The pivot point is usually higher and they are finicky to handle and use. Some are said to be fleeter of foot because of decreased friction but good arms with good bearings have such low friction that the trade off is said to be worth it.

Rather than me trying to find technical articles about the pros and cons of unipivots, I may give you a link to a very interesting conversation currently taking place over at vinylengine. I hope thats ok, can't remember.

Its a lengthy one but if you are planning to spend hundreds on Turntable it is worth taking the time reading through it, that is if you haven't done so already.

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=58779

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse.

regards

Probably.

Once the family are tucked up in bed I'll have a shufti. Thanks DM.

 

[floyd droid]

So 6 yards would be okay then?

I've always known about bearings and Unipivitols, but unless you have a suspended floor and/or live with a herd of elephants can't see it being an issue. System matching is more relevant.

Twas a joke PP , I have nowt against unipivots per se I just found that verify a strange beast to handle.

Many peeps use Unis on bouncers with no problems at all, even elephant keepers.

 

[Al ears]

It would seem this thread has moved on a fair bit since last night.

I might suggest that, since Michell turntables are on your list, you try to locate a well looked after Gyro. Not the SE version but the original. This will solve your requirement for a turntable with a lid. None of the others on your list come with lids fitted.

 

[floyd droid]

Preferably with all the de-coupling mods etc done to it. But hey Mr Alears, are you suggesting Mr PP buys one blind .

Doubt that he would be dissapointed but you never know eh

 

[altruistic.lemon]

PP, I've just been slavering over a Clearaudio. Beautiful turntable, and sounds brilliant to boot - heard it with the same Clearaudio cartridge you have. Were I to move back into turntables, which emphatically (apparently) I'm not, I'd go for one of them.

The arm looked to be unipivot, but boy, did it sound good!

 

[plastic penguin]

PP, I've just been slavering over a Clearaudio. Beautiful turntable, and sounds brilliant to boot - heard it with the same Clearaudio cartridge you have. Were I to move back into turntables, which emphatically (apparently) I'm not, I'd go for one of them.

The arm looked to be unipivot, but boy, did it sound good!

Thanks, Al. Which amp did you hear it with?

 

[Al ears]

Preferably with all the de-coupling mods etc done to it. But hey Mr Alears, are you suggesting Mr PP buys one blind .

Doubt that he would be dissapointed but you never know eh

Sometimes needs must, and living in rural Wales needs must quite often for me

Should he be unfortunate and buy a duffer he can at least still get them serviced. Not too many things go wrong with them.

You will not find a better turntable for your money than a Michell I feel!

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Er, pp, you're going to hate this, it was a Naim XS. Sound was really something.

 

[stevebrock]

Er, pp, you're going to hate this, it was a Naim XS. Sound was really something.

Oh dear that will upset him!

 

[floyd droid]

Should he be unfortunate and buy a duffer he can at least still get them serviced. Not too many things go wrong with them.

You will not find a better turntable for your money than a Michell I feel!

Erm , I've been trying to avoid giving biased input all day here

 

[plastic penguin]

Er, pp, you're going to hate this, it was a Naim XS. Sound was really something.

Oh dear that will upset him!

No it doesn't (in a Basil Fawlty tone). My disdain for the Nait 5i isn't replicated with the XS. It's better but not as good as the Leema.

 

[plastic penguin]

Er, pp, you're going to hate this, it was a Naim XS. Sound was really something.

What other turntables have you heard in recent times you can compare it with?

 

[Al ears]

Should he be unfortunate and buy a duffer he can at least still get them serviced. Not too many things go wrong with them.

You will not find a better turntable for your money than a Michell I feel!

Erm , I've been trying to avoid giving biased input all day here

You cannot avoid being bias on this forum floyd, you should know that

Otherwise what are you going to tell the OP..... 'Oh, just go and audition evertyhing you can'?

 

[floyd droid]

Should he be unfortunate and buy a duffer he can at least still get them serviced. Not too many things go wrong with them.

You will not find a better turntable for your money than a Michell I feel!

Erm , I've been trying to avoid giving biased input all day here

You cannot avoid being bias on this forum floyd, you should know that

Otherwise what are you going to tell the OP..... 'Oh, just go and audition evertyhing you can'?

Lol , my cack handed subliminal way of saying ' Al, I run a Mich ' went into the ether there.

Edit. That software generated EDITED takes the biscuit ,it isnt even swearing. Ye gods whats this place coming to.

 

[plastic penguin]

Bias is absolutely fine by me. Based on the initial info just need to know the 'pros' and 'cons' of turntables you've heard. This'll enable me to hone a short-list.

 

[floyd droid]

Ok PP. Just get out there and buy a Gyro ( I run an Orbe now but used to own a Gyro* ). No tears TT for life , as I said earlier in the thread , across the board it does nowt wrong. Lob a Rega on it for starters and you will be as happy as a pig in ......

Sings like a canary with an SME but not sure Mrs PP will love you all that much when she sees your Credit Card bill.

* be patient and you will find a s/h Gyro well within your budgie.

The ClearAudio sounds pretty good but lacks a bit down stairs and that flippin magnetic attempt at a Uni is a mare to set up correctly.

The only cons with the Gyro will be lack of sleep.