As a follow-up, I finally demo’d the Bergmann Galder.
First off, I'm lucky to be in ATL with all the purveyors of audio equipment in and around town.
Listened to (demo'd) the Linn LP12, Brinkman Taurus, Transrotor Rondino, Oracle Delphi MkVI, McIntosh MT10, and the Bergmann Galder.
In the end, the Bergmann with the linear tracking tone arm, vacuum hold down, and air bearing platter and arm won out. First off, just one look at this turntable and you see that it is built and designed extremely well, and shall I say, Smart.
I could not believe how well this turntable got out of the way. I brought in a stack of records from home - good quality pressings of well recorded, and sometimes older recordings. Both 45rpm & 33rpm pressings. Wow. 2nd track played convinced me it was the cats meow (Patricia Barber's Impex One Step Cafe Blue, side one, track two). Played tracks at all positions of the LP - it’s track & last track - with no difference is sound quality or distortion.
I put my ear up to and on the vacuum/air box (it's not small in stature) and couldn't hear a thing. It has the same cartridge I use on my current table - Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation MC Cartridge.
I will get the same reaction from everyone when they look at my system - "Nice, how much did that cost?" But it will be a lovely addition.
Be Well,
