gregs@uo-vax1.UUCP (12/14/83)
#N:uo-vax1:2900008:000:928 uo-vax1!gregs Dec 12 00:01:00 1983 Some of you may remember when I asked net users for some turntable advice a few months ago. Thanks for your response. My local dealer has just about convinced me to spend much more than my $1000 limit (self-imposed) and buy a Linn Sondek, with the great arm and the Asak cartridge. I think I've ruled out Denon, mostly because of their arms and funny resonances. My question: How do the Linn, Oracle, and Revox compare? He said that he's heard the Oracle next to the Linn, and he thinks the Linn just plain sounds better, but he can't explain why. He also said that "inexperienced non-audiophiles" had the same reaction. He likened it to the difference between "yeah, that sounds good," (Oracle) and tapping your foot in pleasure (Linn). I got great comments about the Revox from the net, but I've never heard one. Any comments welcome. Who's got one of the turntables? Greg Stewart Univ. of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
pmr@drufl.UUCP (12/16/83)
While considering these fine turntables, don't overlook one that is probably the best high-end buy in this area: the SOTA Sapphire. (DO NOT BUY THE VACUUM MODEL. IT IS INFERIOR.) The only problem with this incredible table is availability. One person I know of in the Denver area had to wait about three months before his order was filled. Apparently, the demand for the table far exceeded the company's sales forcasts and their is a bit of a backlog. The table lists for $750 and worth every penny you spend and every second you wait. Not only is is quiet, but the platter is one of the handful of low-resonant types made period. About an arm, the Souther Linear is in a word incredible. I reserve the use of this word not to describe a 280ZX Turbo, but rather a Formula 1 racer. Setup is a pain and it has a tendency to lose calibration with thyme, but again is worth the efforts. (One way to get around mechanical resonances of an arm tube is to make it VERY short so it resonates less in the audio region. This straight-line mechanicaly-tracking arm is about 2" long and silver-litz wired. An engineering masterpiece!) Price: $850.
pmr@drufl.UUCP (12/16/83)
Greg, While considering these fine turntables, don't overlook one that is probably the best high-end buy in this area: the SOTA Sapphire. The only problem with this incredible table is its availability. One person I know of in the Denver area had to wait about three months before his order was filled. Apparently, the demand for the table far exceeded the company's sales forecasts and their is a bit of a backlog. This table lists for $750 and is worth every penny you spend and every second you wait. Not only is it quiet, but the platter is one of the handful of low-resonant types made period. I like the Linn, but can't bring myself to recommend it or the cartridge for that matter with the availability of other great stuff in the $1,500-$1,700 price range. About an arm, the Souther Linear is in a word incredible. I reserve the use of this word not to describe a Datsun 280ZX Turbo, but rather a Formula 1 racer. Setup is a pain and it has a tendency to lose calibration with thyme, but again its well worth the efforts. (One way to get around mechanical resonances of an arm tube is to make it VERY short so it resonates less in the audio region. This straight-line mechanically-tracking arm is about 2" long and silver-Litz wired and resonates mostly >30KHz. An engineering and sonic masterpiece!) Retail price is $850 for the SLA-3 improved. Cartridges are just as individual as loudspeakers, that is, they are subject to personal tastes. I like the way the Accuphase AC-2 sounds very much. It is a bit hard sounding when it's cold, but very smooth, nautral, and detailed when it's warm. I hear that the new Monster cartridge is very impressive also, although I've never heard one myself. Both are moving coils with line-trace styli and sell for $475. The three pieces recommended here sell for somewhat more than your initial investment thoughts ($1,500-$1,700 vs. $2,075) but the cartridge is discounted and the improvements sonically are an order of magnitude better. I'm glad to hear high-enders express their concerns on the net. Most will wander blindly into salons and get sucked into spending too much for too little. I'm sure that others on the net will make comments about insanity and value, but these people are just as sincere as I. They honestly can't hear and justify the differences. There are on the other hand those that can. I hope you enjoy your system whatever you choose. Yours for higher fidelity, Phil Rastocny ...!drufl!pmr