Raven Black Night

Dgad,
I realize my comparison is simplistic and unscientific. I'm just a kid with a crayon connecting the dots before I can see the whole picture. No disrespect for TW Acustic is intended at all. In fact, the pictures of your setup make the Raven look very good indeed. I can't help making comparisons between TW and Galibier because they're the two companies my search for a "last" table has led me to. No doubt there will be more differences than similarities. (Sorry, but don't the chief designers for both companies spell their names T-H-O-M?)

Sonofjim,

Since I have never personally compared the two tables I would have no comment about anything other than basic engineering principles and design. That is why I consider the Galibier nice. No criticism intended.

My love of TW is based on how it sounds in my system compared to my previous turntable. Also, how easily I hear the differences between cartridges and even the slight changes in VTF, VTA etc I make. Also, multiple comparisons of Mats, arms, cartridges between me & some friends w. the same turntable often came to similar conclusions. These comparisons have allowed me to form my own conclusions about what I consider to be a good product without even listening to it. Of course I love the looks and design etc. It is all about what suits you the consumer.

Mind you, even for amplification, tonearm design etc. etc, a lot con be determined by knowing a bit about the companies sonic bias / house sound and what approaches they use in their design. If you know that it suits you then often you will like other products from the same company. Also, you might like products that from other manufacturers that they use as well. But... there are times where an upgrade isn't necessarily an upgrade. I have experienced that a few times and have learned from it. Quite often in cartridges and more often in digital. The upgrade is just different. The product that lets you hear those differences is critical.

Hello together,

living with the AC for four months now, I am very happy with it.
Some days ago I had the chance to see and hear the RBN.
What can I say.
The look is stunning, much better than on the photos. Unbelievable craftmanship.
The sound was very clean and fast. For me it is THE step forward comparing it to the AC.

I have no idea if there are similar good TT around, because there are not so much chances to hear the other brands.

If the machine has crossed the big water, try to get an audition at HWS and you will know what I mean.

All the best from Germany

Wini

Dgad, you wrote, "VTA is adjustable from the turntable with zero variation in HTA while adjusting VTA." First of all, what is "HTA"? Second, and more important, do you mean to imply that the platter moves up and down to allow for a change in VTA? THAT would really be novel.

No the arm itself can be raised & lowered at the arm pillar. Some designs, when you change the VTA, the arm's HTA shifts. I don't want to criticize designs but some top arms have this problem. The arm loses its position of pivot to spindle and thereby you need to realign your cartridge at the null points again. I know changing VTA does change some parameters, but what I am referring to is tonear design limits. I need to see the final implementation but for me to change VTA easily & repeatably on an SME V for example or an Ikeda would be great in locking in the "ideal" vta for a specific cartridge.