Hi Encyclopediabsh,
I own a Teres 265 sitting on a Salamander Triple 30. Both purchased for exactly the same reasons as you. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
All the sentiments expressed above are true. The Salamander is a poor audio performer. As Agaffer said, if I tap anywhere on it while playing a record the thump is clearly audible. In fact, I can easily hear the hinges through the speakers when I open/close a door. So I don't thump on it and I leave the doors shut!
Is this setup ideal? Hardly. The Salamander is unquestionably the weakest link in our system. Does it still make stupendous music. You bet. (Lugnut and Frank: to give you some perspective, despite the Salamander our system as a whole is tighter and *very* slightly more resolving than what we heard in Miami, and nearly as macro-dynamic. We just acquired the same power amp you heard there. It is a wonder.)
Our Salamander also sits on a rather shaky suspended wood floor, which doesn't help of course. To isolate it somewhat from floor-borne vibrations there's a heavy-duty sorbathane hemisphere under each of the Salamander's eight feet. Certainly not what I'd like to have, but it does seem to help. FWIW, the TT does not audibly mistrack unless I literally jump up and down right next to it.
Would I prefer a concrete floor and a solid, massive stand? Of course. I know I'd get stronger dynamics and a lower noise floor. Neither that nor a wall mount is an option, so we get by.
Issue #1
Many of the advantages of the 320 vs. the 265 are independent of the support. Its greater mass provides a superior resonance sink. It has a better, quieter motor and a more massive and stable platter. While I certainly agree a better stand would be beneficial, I wouldn't let the Salamander influence the choice between these two particular TT's. OTOH...
Issue #2
A 265/Morch DP6 will walk all over a 320/Expressimo Rega. I wouldn't put a modded Rega on any Teres except a 150 or maybe a 245. The 160, 255 and above all deserve a better arm. So if all-wood is mandatory I think a 265 + DP6 makes great sense.
However, you should follow ASAP with a good pair of stepup trannies and a LOMC. HOMC's and MM's simply don't cut it at this level. A good LOMC and trannies will set you back another $3K or more, but a 265 and DP6 are certainly good enough to take advantage of them.
If you can sell your spouse on the 255 then I'd go for that plus a DP6. This would leave more money available to put toward a better cartridge.
I own a Teres 265 sitting on a Salamander Triple 30. Both purchased for exactly the same reasons as you. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
All the sentiments expressed above are true. The Salamander is a poor audio performer. As Agaffer said, if I tap anywhere on it while playing a record the thump is clearly audible. In fact, I can easily hear the hinges through the speakers when I open/close a door. So I don't thump on it and I leave the doors shut!
Is this setup ideal? Hardly. The Salamander is unquestionably the weakest link in our system. Does it still make stupendous music. You bet. (Lugnut and Frank: to give you some perspective, despite the Salamander our system as a whole is tighter and *very* slightly more resolving than what we heard in Miami, and nearly as macro-dynamic. We just acquired the same power amp you heard there. It is a wonder.)
Our Salamander also sits on a rather shaky suspended wood floor, which doesn't help of course. To isolate it somewhat from floor-borne vibrations there's a heavy-duty sorbathane hemisphere under each of the Salamander's eight feet. Certainly not what I'd like to have, but it does seem to help. FWIW, the TT does not audibly mistrack unless I literally jump up and down right next to it.
Would I prefer a concrete floor and a solid, massive stand? Of course. I know I'd get stronger dynamics and a lower noise floor. Neither that nor a wall mount is an option, so we get by.
Issue #1
Many of the advantages of the 320 vs. the 265 are independent of the support. Its greater mass provides a superior resonance sink. It has a better, quieter motor and a more massive and stable platter. While I certainly agree a better stand would be beneficial, I wouldn't let the Salamander influence the choice between these two particular TT's. OTOH...
Issue #2
A 265/Morch DP6 will walk all over a 320/Expressimo Rega. I wouldn't put a modded Rega on any Teres except a 150 or maybe a 245. The 160, 255 and above all deserve a better arm. So if all-wood is mandatory I think a 265 + DP6 makes great sense.
However, you should follow ASAP with a good pair of stepup trannies and a LOMC. HOMC's and MM's simply don't cut it at this level. A good LOMC and trannies will set you back another $3K or more, but a 265 and DP6 are certainly good enough to take advantage of them.
If you can sell your spouse on the 255 then I'd go for that plus a DP6. This would leave more money available to put toward a better cartridge.