Da Vinci AAS Gabriel

I have heard different versions of the DaVinci AAS Gabriel. The new Gabriel uses bigger magnetic platters. I have heard the new version with a Grandezza arm and a Zyx UNIverse. In my opinion it is one of the Top-TTs currently available. I think the Raven if powered by a very good drive is a fine machine too (so why should you sell) but the big DaVinci is somehow also a design object, especially if you position more tonearm stands around the table. Regarding the prices of Gabriel and the new Raven ???

If someone leaves the platform of discussion and starts attacking the person or the person`s preferences I always start thinking what is the force behind him doing so? I prefer staying a little more less person-targeted...pls. join doing so.

Dgad, it seems to me you don`t get it what syntax is expressing. You defend the designer which might be your best supplier at the time being. I know it from German forums - it runs the same way. some guys are promised something when they do something, test the next big TT or tonearm and attack people with critical remarks- and you did start it personally and you do not stop it. In my opinion it is not worth what you are promised to get... pls. don`t let us continue this bad import.

Dgad, I know some people might call me an extremist having some tables and a few tonearms. And indeed in some respect I am one - maybe you too, being enganged in writings like this. I did not walk into a shop and bought them all, I collected over the years, especially the vintage ones and did repair and restore some of them. It is really a lot of fun playing with phono-preamps, tonearms, cartridges etc. But I do not sell and buy all the time - I do collect (maybe too much!!).

It is hard to judge which TT is the best sounding in my ears. Some people having visited me were overwhelmed by the many differences in the sound they could hear. Currently I am working with the Nakamichi and the Micro.

But back to our question. I know both producers very well, Thomas Woschnick and Peter Brem. I got in contact with them when both "developers took off". In the beginning they worked together and I was able to audition a Raven with a Grandezza tonearm. I liked this sound so much that I bought the Grandezza tonearm from Thomas (!). Now both people have quite a success and this is wonderful, isn`t it? despite they are running on separate ways. Both produce excellent pieces of audio-gear and do have their community - which is fine.

I don´t think there is any reason that we as consumers or afficinados continue the developer struggle for the final victory. Nevertheless we are allowed to judge the products like we perceive the products in our chains or at audition locations - and we should write in this forum about it.

I did hear the Black Raven at the Munich High-End show, but as I said it to Thomas this was not a good chain to judge the qualities of his new table. By the way it looks fantastic. The big DaVinci, which is a continous improvement project maybe reaching its final stage I heard twice and it is one of the modern masterpieces in my opinion.

I will not buy Thomas new black tiger nor Peters red italian horse due to the reason that my space is getting a little short. I hope you understand...

I see many people owning a Raven improving the TT by motor gear, isolation platforms etc. So it should make sense. I have tested HRS platforms at the Munich High-End show and in my room. Maybe even better. And you may split two seperate platforms, one for the motor (or two) and a big one for the TT.

Downunder,
you may place motors and the Raven plinth on separate platforms of one big isolation base with different and separated platforms on the top layer of the isolation base. Ask Mike from HRS, he can do it for you - I am pretty shure.

downunder,
why do you don´t proof my suggestion on reality? Did you talk to Mike already? Who did tell you that you cannot bring your Raven motors "under vibration control". Are you living in the middle ages believing what some spiritual voice is telling you? I really don`t get it. But if you wanna stay in this status why are you discussing improvements or are you just defending your status quo? If this is the case pls. just tell me.

Dgad,
if you are not using any vibration platform you may also go for better motors like Faulhaber or Maxon motors. If you supply the Faulhaber motors by Sorbothane you might really hear a difference to the motors now running.
This is not theory but approved by a Raven owner.

I just saw a report from Jonathin Valin from TAS returning from DaVinci in Bern

http://www.avguide.com/blog/trip-switzerland-and-da-vinci-audio-labs