Basis Turntables: Worth it or Ripoff?

Most of Basis' models don't look quite as elegant as comparably priced models of some of their competitors.  Basis hardly puts any money into visual aesthetics.  Given that a lot of buyers DO place a lot of value in looks, I can see how Basis loses some "value" points in that department.  Basis excels in other ways.  The build quality is superb and all parts are precisely made to very tight tolerances.  You will not see any wobble at all in the rotation of their platters, for example, something that cannot be said of all tables (if you look really closely).  

Whether or not one will like the sound of their arm/table combinations is also a matter of taste.  Their tables are very much into damping vibration, both external vibration or vibration generated by the table itself or vibration from the stylus tracking a record.  Some systems (and their owner's taste) favor such highly damped tables, some prefer a more lively sound (to detractors, Basis tables sound "dark" or "dead").  

Hence, Basis tables are certainly not a "ripoff," but like any other table, they can be the wrong table for any particular individual.

Table builders that make damping vibration generated from the playing of the record itself (energy dissipating platter, clamping systems design to dissipate vibrations generated by the playing of the record, extremely rigid tonearms designed to transmit away energy fed into the tonearm from the cartridge being shaken by the tracking of the groove) do sound dramatically quieter.  Surface imperfections of the record that cause a sharp impulse do not resonate and prolong the even so they pass quickly and sound much less obtrusive.  That is particularly obvious with the Basis table/arm, particularly with vacuum hold-down. 

I've also heard this type of performance from the bigger ClearAudio table/arm combinations.  

There are many good tables on the market, and that certainly includes the Basis tables.  The particular strength of Basis is very tight manufacturing tolerances.  You will not see any rotational wobble, platters are carefully balanced, and one rarely hears about manufacturing related problems with the tables.

Most of their tables are designed to damp vibration created by the stylus tracking the groove so that this energy does not feed back to cartridge.  This does impart a particular character to the sound--the Vector Arm and Basis table combinations tend to sound "dark" and not as "jangly" as some other tables.  To some, this is a very good quality, to others, the sound might seem a little "dead."  I own a Basis Debut with a vacuum clamp and a motor controller, so I like its well damped behavior (the rest of my system is lively sounding so this might be a case of synergy). 

 

A unipivot does have the freedom of movement to rock from side to side.  Whether this wobble actually occurs when playing a record, and the degree to which such motion will adversely affect the sound, is the subject of much debate.  But, the Vector arm is NOT a conventional unipivot.  In addition to the pivot point at the top of the arm, there is a second point perpendicular to the main vertical pivot that stabilizes the arm.  The Vector arm is weighted to lean in one direction (clockwise tilt if you look from the front of the arm toward the pivot).  That tendency to lean toward the right is resisted by a horizontal pin that contacts a bearing around the axis of the main vertical post/pivot.  By screwing that horizontal pivot in or out, that stabilizing pivot also allows for precise setting of azimuth.

This design means that this is NOT a unipivot--it has two pivots, and it is stabilized from any kind of rocking motion.  As with any design, this involves some, at least theoretical, disadvantages, such as an increase in friction in the movement of the arm.

Basis tables may be expensive, but, they are certainly not ripoffs.  The precision in their machining is impressive.  You will not see any visible wobble or eccentricity or up and down movement in the platter--their machining is absolutely perfect.  For their suspended tables, the suspension holds its setting for a very long lime.

The only regular maintenance you need to be concerned with is occasionally replacing the belt.  The belt is an ultra precision ground thin flat belt.  This belt performs very well at isolating the platter from vibration, but, because of its thinness, it does need to be replaced once in a while.  The first time I replaced the belt, I heard a bigger improvement in sound than when I purchased Basis' quite pricey motor control unit--the belt is that important.  I own a Basis Debut with the vacuum clamp feature; I like the table a lot.

I met AJ twice and he was such a nice, soft-spoken gentleman.  You could also tell how passionate he was about getting the best out of analogue gear.

I know it is time for me to get a new belt.  I will be ordering one shortly. 

I like the Sota tables too.  They represent very good value.