One Amigo Visits Utah To Hear 5 Reference Turntables-My Step Beyond

spiritofmusic · Aug 10, 2015

Ha ha Bonzo, grounding box discussions get everywhere!
I would love to go R2R, but in the UK we have a fatal lack of good technicians to maintain and optimise the gear.
My Barco planetarium-grade CRT projector has precisely ONE guy over here who can service it. £55k invested in it will go down the drain if my guy fails to come thru. Luckily I've had 17 years of trouble free performance so far.
I have a new love on the analog front, and w/the unobtanium status of David's AS tt, this may be one of the few alternatives worth considering/lottery purchase.
Namely, the Sakia Reference Two turntable, 350lb of sheer slate monolithic seriousness to take vibration control to new heights, a unique all-new idler drive w/precise computer control - maybe w/a Shroeder LT linear tracking tonearm, or Schick 12", and an Emia-modified Panasonic NOS Straingauge cartridge w/bespoke valve energiser.

Steve Williams · Aug 10, 2015

spiritofmusic said:
Ha ha Bonzo, grounding box discussions get everywhere!
I would love to go R2R, but in the UK we have a fatal lack of good technicians to maintain and optimise the gear.
My Barco planetarium-grade CRT projector has precisely ONE guy over here who can service it. £55k invested in it will go down the drain if my guy fails to come thru. Luckily I've had 17 years of trouble free performance so far.
I have a new love on the analog front, and w/the unobtanium status of David's AS tt, this may be one of the few alternatives worth considering/lottery purchase.
Namely, the Sakia Reference Two turntable, 350lb of sheer slate monolithic seriousness to take vibration control to new heights, a unique all-new idler drive w/precise computer control - maybe w/a Shroeder LT linear tracking tonearm, or Schick 12", and an Emia-modified Panasonic NOS Straingauge cartridge w/bespoke valve energiser.

I hope you know that "Mosin" here is indeed the brains behind the turntable. He can help you I'm sure if you're interested

spiritofmusic · Aug 10, 2015

I know Steve, but there's so much interesting SOTA stuff I'd love to own. I've been turned onto Wheel Fi horns w/the help of Dave, and Win's beauty has been on my radar for a while. I just don't have $150k kicking about to order the lot!

ddk · Aug 10, 2015

spiritofmusic said:
I know Steve, but there's so much interesting SOTA stuff I'd love to own. I've been turned onto Wheel Fi horns w/the help of Dave, and Win's beauty has been on my radar for a while. I just don't have $150k kicking about to order the lot!

Spirit, I think you're off on the price, Saski II is in the $50k-$55k range and I'll repeat openly what we discussed in private that imo, Saskia is one the best designed tts made today. Everything I heard from Win regarding Saskia's design parameters is spot on.

david

spiritofmusic · Aug 10, 2015

Dave, you misunderstand, I was putting together a WishList, w/the Wheel Fi horns/amps at $100k, and the Saskia at c$50k ($100k total) - sorry I was so misleading. I have a one off opportunity next year to POSSIBLY squeeze the funds for such purchases, or to stick w/my current giant killing performance tt and more reasonably priced horns (eg Sadurni Acoustics Staccatos at $40k).

ddk · Aug 10, 2015

spiritofmusic said:
Dave, you misunderstand, I was putting together a WishList, w/the Wheel Fi horns/amps at $100k, and the Saskia at c$50k ($100k total) - sorry I was so misleading. I have a one off opportunity next year to POSSIBLY squeeze the funds for such purchases, or to stick w/my current giant killing performance tt and more reasonably priced horns (eg Sadurni Acoustics Staccatos at $40k).

A very respectable wish list Spirit, wish you the best to realize your dream!

david

airbearing · Aug 10, 2015

Though, I must admit that Airbearing's has a little Studer with my name on it

!

david[/QUOTE]

That's true, but it is not so small

Mosin · Aug 10, 2015

spiritofmusic said:
Dave, you misunderstand, I was putting together a WishList, w/the Wheel Fi horns/amps at $100k, and the Saskia at c$50k ($100k total) - sorry I was so misleading. I have a one off opportunity next year to POSSIBLY squeeze the funds for such purchases, or to stick w/my current giant killing performance tt and more reasonably priced horns (eg Sadurni Acoustics Staccatos at $40k).

If you want it next year, now is when to say.

(I do appreciate my turntable being on a want list!)

ddk said:
Spirit, I think you're off on the price, Saski II is in the $50k-$55k range and I'll repeat openly what we discussed in private that imo, Saskia is one the best designed tts made today. Everything I heard from Win regarding Saskia's design parameters is spot on.

david

David,

Coming from you, that means a lot to me. I'll have to bring one up one day to see how it compares to the icons. That would be great fun!

(If it beat them, I would probably get a Donald Trump size ego!

)

ddk · Aug 10, 2015

Mosin said:
David,

Coming from you, that means a lot to me. I'll have to bring one up one day to see how it compares to the icons. That would be great fun!

(If it beat them, I would probably get a Donald Trump size ego! )

I'm nobody Win, you're the one with the creation!

I would like nothing more than you visiting with Saskia, it would be fun and I wouldn't be surprised if she comes out on top, we can set it up offline just bring the right arm board

.

FYI, I enjoy Trump's ego!

david

rockitman · Aug 10, 2015

Trumps ego...is there any larger ? Putin's is docile in comparison.

NorthStar · Aug 10, 2015

rockitman said:
Trumps ego...is there any larger? Putin is docile in comparison.

Trumps, he trumps them all put in together.

microstrip · Aug 11, 2015

ddk said:
Spirit, I think you're off on the price, Saski II is in the $50k-$55k range and I'll repeat openly what we discussed in private that imo, Saskia is one the best designed tts made today. Everything I heard from Win regarding Saskia's design parameters is spot on.

david

Do you know what are the main differences between the Sasky I and Sasky II?
IMHO, the question is not how it sounds compared with the unobtainable The American Sound, but it would be nice to know how it compares with the EMT 927.

spiritofmusic · Aug 11, 2015

My interest is drawn to the Saskia Reference 2, it's akin to my current tt on steroids. My Trans Fi Audio Salvation is 75lb of slate and high torque direct rim drive, the Saskia 300lb and modern iteration of idler drive. I'm confident there would be some similarities in sound character. Who can resist a platter that takes all of 8 minutes to come to a standstill when the motor is switched off. That's a hell of a combination of heavy platter and uber low friction bearing/superb tolerances.
Moisin, re ordering one, this is going to have to wait, the stars haven't totally aligned for this to happen.

Bruce B · Aug 11, 2015

A well set up tape machine at <$25k will trump a TT at any price!

airbearing · Aug 11, 2015

you'll get a good one much cheaper, prices in the US seem to be somehow fantasy like. Also regarding new products, especially when you have no sales layers involved.

www.AudioCirc.com

ddk · Aug 11, 2015

Bruce B said:
A well set up tape machine at <$25k will trump a TT at any price!

Possibly and definitely worth it if you have the software.

david

airbearing · Aug 11, 2015

that's true David. But there is always a start and some ways how to get good software.

Mosin · Aug 12, 2015

What keeps the Micro Seiki turntables out of the main system, and the Thorens in? I always assumed they would be better than the Thorens. Is there an ever so slight smearing due to the string drive system?

Bruce,
Didn't you know that magnetic tape causes cancer in laboratory rats?

audioblazer · Aug 12, 2015

Bruce B said:
A well set up tape machine at <$25k will trump a TT at any price!

Definitely . My Studer A80R whack my AFO + Axiom + Koetsu Coralstone + Vitus Masterpiece phono costing more than 20x

XV-1 · Aug 12, 2015

Bruce B said:
A well set up tape machine at <$25k will trump a TT at any price!

And having unlimited software to play on it is the real advantage

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