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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: Ultimate Turntable
Post Subject: Not so much a contest, as I see/hear itPosted by Paul S on: 3/2/2008
Coops, do you have any personal observations or ideas about the ultimate TT, or are you already invested and just checking my credentials?  I would like to know your thoughts, too, based on your own personal listening habits, preferences and evaluations.

FWIW, I was using a modified Rek-O-Kut "transcription" TT when I bought a new Technics 1200, and before I even got that set up I got a chance to get a used 1-box SP10  at a great price.  I fancied it would be a step up in terms of sonics, based on Gordon Holt's opinions at the time, so I over extended myself to get it.  I wound up thinking that both DDs had similar issues that emerged with all sorts of music, and both had what I could only perceive as "speed issues" that annoyed me with all music apart from bog-standard rock and roll played during gatherings.  I know about the great specs, and that's why I bought the DDs, but I just could not shake the sense of something "jittery" turning the platters, which is perhaps similar to but at the same time different from the little ARs, Regas, etc.  And ironically, the old Rek-O-Kut seemed better in this regard.  I finally unloaded the 10 and kept the 1200, which I continued to play with for several years.  In the meantime I took every chance to try everything else, including a fancy Denon DD and, as I recall, a Kenwood DD, anything also touted by JGH at the time.  I have incidentally and forgettably heard other Japanese DDs along the way.  Because this happened years ago I am putting my previous experience into perspective/context of my present day experience and understanding, again FWIW.  The Sota Star vacuum was the first real breakthrough for me on the TT front, its own problems notwithstanding, and I have not progressed passed optimizing that TT so far, although I can presently imagine better TT performance and I am getting some workable ideas about implementing them.  And those ideas do not include DD.

So, what are you using, Coops, and why? 

Best regards,
Paul S

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