I'm sure I'm not the only analog afficionado who believes it's important, vital even, to great vinyl sound.
I realise it's all in the execution, and there are amazing low torque/high mass belt drive tt's that are truly amazing (DDK's American Sound, eg).
So I absolutely don't want this thread to sound like low torque designs bashing.
It's just that all the high torque tt's I've heard in the last 5 years, incl the tt I own, seem to have an added energy/vividness/vivaciousness to the presentation, that I couldn't imagine going back to the more standard lower torque/high mass designs I could have stuck with.
The issue seems to be most people are happpy to settle on any speed technology that gets to the requisite speed and is accurate. Nothing wrong w/that. But i really think there is added value in getting to that speed, and driving that platter on and on, w/overengineered torque and vibration management.
The modded 301's, SP10's, and my Salvation, are totally mesmerizing.
Now, it seems there are a bunch of high torque designs coming onto the market, where high torque is part of the design process, the previous mechanical drawbacks of noise/rumble are being successfully addressed, and the unavowed benefits of high torque are fully positive.
In the belt drive camp, the Kuzma Stabi M, and XL4/XL DC.
In the direct drive camp, the GP Monaco 2.0, and Kodo the Beat
In the idler wheel camp, the Schick 14, Reed Muse 3C and Saskia 2 Ref
In direct rim drive camp, my Trans Fi Salvation, and TT Weights.
Thoughts, everyone?...
I realise it's all in the execution, and there are amazing low torque/high mass belt drive tt's that are truly amazing (DDK's American Sound, eg).
So I absolutely don't want this thread to sound like low torque designs bashing.
It's just that all the high torque tt's I've heard in the last 5 years, incl the tt I own, seem to have an added energy/vividness/vivaciousness to the presentation, that I couldn't imagine going back to the more standard lower torque/high mass designs I could have stuck with.
The issue seems to be most people are happpy to settle on any speed technology that gets to the requisite speed and is accurate. Nothing wrong w/that. But i really think there is added value in getting to that speed, and driving that platter on and on, w/overengineered torque and vibration management.
The modded 301's, SP10's, and my Salvation, are totally mesmerizing.
Now, it seems there are a bunch of high torque designs coming onto the market, where high torque is part of the design process, the previous mechanical drawbacks of noise/rumble are being successfully addressed, and the unavowed benefits of high torque are fully positive.
In the belt drive camp, the Kuzma Stabi M, and XL4/XL DC.
In the direct drive camp, the GP Monaco 2.0, and Kodo the Beat
In the idler wheel camp, the Schick 14, Reed Muse 3C and Saskia 2 Ref
In direct rim drive camp, my Trans Fi Salvation, and TT Weights.
Thoughts, everyone?...