2. analog
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Another turntable

Hello everybody 

I am an analog lover (no CD nor streaming at all). For about 20 years now I have a TW Acustic Raven AC, with 2 SME 3012-R tonearms. One for the stereo and one for the monos. The TW evolved with the battery PSU, and heavy platter form the Black Night, and the 3 motors in a round shape.

I listen mainly classical music and a bit of jazz music. 
I read many threads on forum and TW is never talked about. My TTIs 20 years old now and as I am turning old too, maybe I look for what would be my last TT ( the famous « last one » before being retired with not enough money for climbing the audiophile mountain again.

I have no preferences for any technology as long as it makes good music. I can buy used or vintage (if professionally restored). 
I can go up to 20000 € max. I need the possibility of 2 arms, or one classical and enough room for a Viv Lab.

My little list is 

- Kuzma Red 2 or Stabi M

- Verdier La Platine

-SME 20 or an old 30

- Brinkmann 

-Shoppered TD124 ?

-   What else ?

Thanks for your suggestions. As you understand I live in Europe. How do you quote TW now in regards of these pretenders ? 

senza

Showing 1 response by dover

dover
2,280 posts
 

Thanks for your answers and opinions.I didn’t think Origin Live could be that good. Interesting.I’m a bit surprised nobody talked about  Verdier or SME nor Brinkmann that are the more often talked about in this price range.

I sold my Platine Verdier to an SME owner ( SME 20/2 ). It was a significant upgrade in transparency and low level resolution.

Despite this for me the Platine Verdier had flaws, particularly regarding speed stability, noisy motor, and it got hosed off by my spare TT - a re-engineered Garrard 301.

Now the Platine Verdier owner has purchased a Brinkmann Balance. 

If you go with SME you need to get at least the 20/3 or 30/.. to get a better TT than your Raven.

I also have a friend with a Kuzma M, it is excellent, very low noise floor.

Personally, based on extensive listening I would be looking at the Brinkman Balance or Kuzma M. Note that the Kuzma M can only run 1 tonearm. The Brinkmann can do 2.

As far as the Kuzma R goes, the reviews are misleading. The platter and motor are both smaller than the M model. Its a great deck for the money, but the M is significantly better in my view.

 

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