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Deciding Variables with Teres

I have decided to purchase a Teres, but am undecided about some of the variables. I have decided on getting a hardwood base, but am undecided on platter and arm. I currently have a Rega Planar 3 with fairly new Dynavector 20XL. The Teres is much more than I was going to spend (was going to get a Scout), but I would like to get something that I will keep for a long time. Still, I am wondering if getting the 245 is a big drop from the 255 (I believe the difference is lead in the platter.) If the difference is not extreme, I think I would get it to save money and then upgrade in the future, if I feel the need. At that point I might even go for the 265. Also, I wonder if I can start cheap with the tonearm. I could use the RB300 and upgrade later, or I could sell it (I have a friend who would buy the turntable and arm for $300 or so) and buy the Expressimo RB-250 ($480 with the TT) or an Origin Live (maybe the OL1, maybe the Silver.) Would a unipivot make as much of a difference as many claim? Is the difference in platters great? Will any of these tonearm / cartridge combos work better than others? Any comments would be appreciated.

Also, I am concerned about setting up the tonearm, as I have never done it. I found that when I had the Dynavector installed, they did a few things that really helped the sound; in particular, repositioned the setting so that a force listed as 0 was really -1, so that to set 2 grams I put it on 1. I would not know how to do that kind of thing. Would I need a gage? If I change arms in the future, will I have to get armboards or have anything redrilled?

Anyway, just looking for a little advice. I have read much of the archive on this, but find that since I can't hear the TT, my appetite for opinions from many who are so much more knowledgeable than myself is great.
sommera

Showing 2 responses by twl

twl
3,251 posts
 
I can help you with some of this. First, the 245 is an excellent table. I have a 245 myself, and while there are improvements to be had with the lead-loaded platter of the 255, or even the wood/lead platter of the 265, the 245 is very good sounding. According to Chris at Teres, the lead loaded platter does not make as much difference as the lead loaded hardwood base. It is more of a refinement. You can easily upgrade platters at any time, and Chris has a platter upgrade program which allows your acrylic platter to be lead loaded at about half the cost of a new platter. If you are on a budget, I would recommend getting what you can afford, and using the upgrade path as money permits.

You can switch your RB300 right over onto the Teres. If you want to do this, you can order the Teres 245 with the armboard pre-drilled for a Rega tonearm. I would recommend that you get a VTA adjusting collar from OL or Expressimo at that point, and install it with the tonearm. This will require that you open up the pre-drilled hole by about 1/16" using sandpaper or a half round file. I did it to my armboard in about 5 minutes time. This will allow for accurate VTA adjustment, and is really important for getting the best sound. If you order a OL or Expressimo RB250, then order the VTA collar with it. The OL Silver comes complete with the VTA collar. These tonearms will do well on the 245 and are very wide-ranging in what cartridges they will accept. As far as unipivot tonearms go, they will make a difference, but I think it is a step down. Especially in the lower price ranges. If you decide to get a different tonearm in the future, you can get a new armboard from Teres with the correct hole pre-drilled in it.

As far as set-up goes, you will need an alignment protractor from www.turntablebasics.com and a Shure stylus force scale from the same place. The setting of the stylus force as done by your dealer was a very strange thing to do, and I see no benefit in it. Just set it the way it is supposed to be done.
twl
3,251 posts
 
The OL modded arms that come modded from the OL factory should be well fitted and finished. Sometimes local dealers or end users do the mods, and this may be less ideal. Sometimes not. It could be a case-by-case basis. I do prefer the OL mod over the Expressimo, due to the connecting differences in the end-stub, but it is not a big difference. Either one of them will sound better than the standard Rega arm.
The brightness thing is kind of personal choice, and some may think that it is perfect, when others think it is bright. This can be helped to some degree by proper VTA adjustment, to dial it in to your preference.
I think the Silver is a very good arm, and is noticeably better than any of the modded Rega arms, but is about $800. I would agree with Chris that you should spend the bulk of the money on the table, and not get a lower level table in order to spend more on the tonearm. The table will make more of a difference than the arm, but the arm is also important. I think that a modded Rega arm, either OL or Expressimo, would be enough to satisfy most people, especially if it is on a very good table, and well set up. Yes, you can get better arms, but when we are talking about a certain budget, you have to make some decisions. I don't think that you will have to worry about an overly bright sound with that combination. IMHO.
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