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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
senza OP
80 posts
 

Thanks for everyone for sharing your opinions with all due respect !

 I will probably make a decision in a few weeks. Not sure I will go toward vintage as there are too many variables for having a good or an exceptional product (how it has been cared, the importance of having an expert not too far in case of troubles, the PITA if I need to ship it across the world for  repair or anything else, etc etc). It looks like a gambling. You can win or you can loose. I’m not rich enough for taking that kind or risk.

The only expert vintage who is 30 km from me is Swissonor with his Thorens TD124. Kuzma and SME smells good, if I keep my TW for having different arms and carts (1 mono and 1 stereo, and the SPU Century that is waiting in its box…). Is it possible to buy a new  SME with a plinth for another tonearm now ? If not, SME will go out of my way. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,848 posts
 

Dear @senza  : Ask here:  +44(0) 1903 814321 or here:

info@sme.ltd.uk

 

R.

cyanii
13 posts
 

Hi @senza  Kuzma Stabi R owner here and very happy with this choice. I currently use only one tonearm, the 4point9 with a Benz LP-S and I'm more than happy with the sound, the build quality and the ease of use.

Build quality and ease of use were amongst my top priorities when deciding for a new turntable, as I use the table almost daily.

i plan to add a second tonearm in the future which is quite easy with this turntable and will be looking into Kuzma isolation platforms for enhanced vibration control and then maybe a high end power cord to max out the turntable performance. 
 

Table + Arm(s) + Isolation Platform should fit you budget and provide you with a lot of listening pleasure 

bobbydd
91 posts
 

Keep the TW, and add a Wheaton triplanar or a Reed tonearm.  

 

Most other options mentioned above are a lateral move, at best.

 

Good luck!

oregon
809 posts
 

You might consider a Transrotor. The Fat Bob S or Reference. 
Simple design and elegant. The S accepts a second arm, not sure about the Reference. 
Good luck. 

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