Basis Debut Mk v or Walker or Brinkman ?

Although Lloyd Walker claims that one person sold one of his Porsches to buy a Walker TT.

I have almost the same set-up as you (my Ovation was updated to a Debut vacuum, and I use a Graham 2.2). If I could afford it, as good as this combo is I would probably replace it with a Walker, as the Walker seems just a bit better in all respects, most noticeably in the detail it digs out from the grooves and a sense of "liveness", for lack of a better word (it could be that the Basis is too good at damping out vibrations, for all I know). Ultimately the Walker makes a record sound a little closer to a musical event rather than listening to a recording of one. I couldn't tell you for certain how "major" the differences are, particularly since I've heard the Walker in a completely different system than mine, but at this level, the differences in components tend to get smaller and are more a reflection on the designer's philosophy and taste than anything else. So, objectively I'd say that the differences are probably subtle, but subjectively they mean a lot to me. I really think that you really have to hear the Walker to understand what I'm talking about, and then you can decide how much the difference means to you.

Just to add one more possibility to the list, George Merrill has come up with a new, no-holds barred turntable that I hope to audition soon (a friend of mine is the distributor, I believe), if only just to see what an old master has come up with. This one might be worth your auditioning as well, and it will be available for audition in the NY/NJ area, so it's within reach for you.

It's funny to hear people putting the Basis at the bottom of this list, as I think most of us would agree that it is an excellent table (that has served me well for over 15 years, I might add). The Ovation's (and I'm sure the Debut's) suspension, in particular, is absolutely superb at isolating the platter from vibrations, and with the Walker Motor Drive its speed stability is beyond reproach. That is why I feel that the other tables I've heard that I like better (the SME 30, the Transrotor and, of course, the Walker), while I can clearly hear that they are special products, offer what are probably, on an objective scale, comparatively subtle improvements. However, the subjective difference is what keeps me trying to figure a way to afford one of these beauties.

Probably because it costs more than the Brinkman, Walker and Basis combined! I think Strapper decided to limit his budget to what he could get when he sells his 2002 BMW M5! :^) Me, I don't think my 2001 New Beetle GLX can get me a Rega, let alone a Walker.

Actually, Gerrym5, I was kidding about that, I have no idea what Strapper drives. I had the chance to drive one of my colleagues' 2001 M5 on which he had removed the governor (he took it and raced it competitively) and souped up even more at a local speed shop, and can agree with what you said about it--nothing else I've ever driven can come close to it. He offered me that car for a great price when bought his new 2007 M5 (that's why I used that car, about the price of a Walker), but a lack of funds did me in on that one too.

Congrats, Strapper, now we have to get you to join the NJAS and host a meeting! Gotta hear those speakers of yours as well. One thing, though, from the pictures of your system it looks like your listening room is on an upper floor of your place (I'm guessing from the sloped ceiling). I trust that you've determined that your floor can handle the additional weight of this turntable, which is substantially more than the Basis, and that you have a separate room in which to house the air compressor unit, which is pretty quiet but still does make some noise. If not, don't worry, I'll let you borrow my house to hold the TT while the necessary structural changes are being made... ;^)