Brinkmann Taurus vs Primary Control Kinea

[Scatterbrain99]

I've been searching for a turntable setup (around USD $20K budget including tonearm) that can handle all genres well (specifically classic/indie rock, pop, acoustic/vocal), not super heavy/complicated/weird looking/have a specific character. After quite a bit of research, my final contenders are: Primary Control Kinea and Brinkmann Taurus. They both happen to be direct drive (which wasn't intentional).

Having said that, there's no way for me to audition these two turntables in my setup. There are some nice reviews on Taurus but not much information on Kinea. But I've heard some great things from experienced people about Kinea (including Thomas Mayer). I'm not hopeful but is there anyone who has heard both the turntables? If so, I'd LOVE to hear your impression and how they differ.

 

[Solypsa]

Wish I could help specifically, I have not heard the Taurus yet ( need to fix that ). I have heard the Kinea.

Anyways, have you been able to hear either in any setting?

 

[Scatterbrain99]

Wish I could help specifically, I have not heard the Taurus yet ( need to fix that ). I have heard the Kinea.

Anyways, have you been able to hear either in any setting?

Unfortunately not. Heard the Brinkmann Balance in show condition in unfamiliar systems.

How’d you characterize/describe the sound of Kinea? Did you hear it with Arrow? What cart? Thank you in advance.

 

[Solypsa]

I heard the Kinea one time, at the Primary Control workshop. So while I am a fan of the Kinea I can't claim to have its character fully separated from the system that day. Bernd had it setup with Gravity arm and Lyra Atlas, arm and cart together much more costly than the table.

It was a lovely rock solid presentation, very commanding with amazing bass weight and scale. Didn't have the time with it to get a lot more granular, sorry. Bernd is a great guy and imho knows what music sounds like

 

[Solypsa]

Are you in Europe? Or USA? Or? I would think a little road trip might be called for

 

[shakti]

If you like European Direct drives, please have a look to STST as well.
I am a big fanboy of the STST Motus II D turntable. Your budget will allow the combination with a first class tonearm like Durand Tosca, Acoustical Systems Axiom, Glanz 1200, Schroeder just to name a few.

STST direct drive turntables available in North America

Just a heads up that (for the first time afaik) the German made STST turntable and tonearm lines are available in the North American market from Solypsa! Stefan Strohmetz has been refining his own take on 'lower torque' direct drive since the 80s. As a big fan of good DD, I'm excited to offer...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[bazelio]

Good recommendation for the Motus. I have a Brinkman Bardo and I am a fan of this TT. It beats every Technics DD I've ever heard, but I've not heard the Kinea. I assume Taurus is very similar to my Bardo but it has the advantage of multiple tonearms as an option.

 

[Scatterbrain99]

I'm in the US. I heard many good things about STST Motus and how musical it is. However, it seems like the Motus has a character (although every TT does), and according to HiFi+ review -

There are better timed turntables on the market to be sure and if you are looking for the propulsive drive of jazz and rock they might be preferable, but if you enjoy instrumental and vocal tone in the context of a stable but lively presentation, there is an awful lot to like about the STST Motus II.

This makes me think it might be safer to stay with Kinea or Taurus. But I'm really curious about the Motus as well.

 

[Solypsa]

I represent STST so we could talk about that , clearly I find it a compelling value.

@shakti makes a point about overall budget vis a vis tonearm etc and how the whole package presents....

 

[Argonaut]

Bergmann Galder Vacuum hold down , if you could swing it the Bergmann Odin linear tracker is a most excellent match.

 

[shakti]

However, it seems like the Motus has a character (although every TT does), and according to HiFi+ review -

Currently my vintage DD collection shows:

- Technics SL1200 MKII
- Kenwood L07D
- Micro Seiki DDX-1000
- Denon DP75

The STST Motus IID has a very minor character, compared to the mentioned turntables, which all have a unique DNA.
It will be hard to find any turntable without a "character", even my TechDAS AF3P reference has one.
Bardo, which I know very good, has a character as well.

by the way, I have just read the Hifi+ review. They compare the Motus to SME model 20, which is a nice compliment, as the SME 20 is around 3 times the price of the Motus (in Germany). I believe that a 1:1 comparison, would means that the Motus gets a really good tonearm to overcome the price gap, will change the performance and the comparison a lot. ( I never listened to the STST Vertex Tonearm, my last listening to Motus was with Schroeder CB-1)

 

[Down in Devon]

I spent a while working out what to TT to change to from the Idler (Lenco) that I had.
I borrowed the STST that HiFi plus reviewed and found it very neutral, pitch stable, 3D, with great bass.
It doesn't have the 'push' of an idler or maybe quite the absolute maximum flow/detail of a good belt but seemed a good compromise overall. The Vertex arm is very detailed/neutral but wasn't my 'cup of tea'...
I wasn't sure what size unit to get (ie to suit 9 or 12 arm) and then I was offered a great deal on a used 12" unit so that decided for me.
I'd note that the Kinea would offer more flexibility with arms, and its variable torque would be interesting WRT cartridge choice.....

 

[Solypsa]

Nice!

 

[Argonaut]

Perhaps a one careful owner Grand Prix Monaco 1.5 might be worthy of consideration.