I haven't compared the hardware you mentioned, but you might put a Galibier Table on your short list.
I have a Galibier Quattro ALU with the Teflon Platter and a Tri-Planar Tonearm, and couldnt be happier.
Galibiers Thom Mackris help, suggestions, hand holding (this was the first table I set-up) were absolutly first class. http://www.galibierdesign.com/index.html
Dealing with Thom was simply a wonderful experience. While Thom is certainly a business owner, my experience suggests that his motives are not primarily monetarily driven; but driven by a desire to share the conclusions of his many hours of tweaking, along with his love of music reproduction with those of us found on forums like this. I know it sounds trite to suggest that hes not in it for the money, but considering the many hours he spent with me, the manufacturing and machining costs associated with his 100lb. plus turntables, hes obviously making some bucks, but working equal hours in the profession hes educated, would I imagine, bring more monetary, but certainly less personal rewards.
In fact dealing with "cottage industry" folks like Thom of Galibier, Mick of Supratek (pre's & amp's), and a local fellow for cables, have been very rewarding, and special experiences. While the rest of my rig cant be necessarily described as comprised of cottage industry components, my CAT amps, and Soundlab speakers are very close to being so e.g., not much advertising, few periodical reviews, but oh, what marvelous equipment!
For reasonable prices (i.e., relative items with similar sonic attributes), and the service one receives, my experiences highly recommend taking this small or cottage industry path. Obviously, thats not to say that the equipment found at the more mainstream companys cant compare, because I'm sure it can; however for me, knowing where my money is going, and being able to contact the designer especially for a complex item like a turntable, has been a big positive.
Good luck on your hunt ..Mike
I have a Galibier Quattro ALU with the Teflon Platter and a Tri-Planar Tonearm, and couldnt be happier.
Galibiers Thom Mackris help, suggestions, hand holding (this was the first table I set-up) were absolutly first class. http://www.galibierdesign.com/index.html
Dealing with Thom was simply a wonderful experience. While Thom is certainly a business owner, my experience suggests that his motives are not primarily monetarily driven; but driven by a desire to share the conclusions of his many hours of tweaking, along with his love of music reproduction with those of us found on forums like this. I know it sounds trite to suggest that hes not in it for the money, but considering the many hours he spent with me, the manufacturing and machining costs associated with his 100lb. plus turntables, hes obviously making some bucks, but working equal hours in the profession hes educated, would I imagine, bring more monetary, but certainly less personal rewards.
In fact dealing with "cottage industry" folks like Thom of Galibier, Mick of Supratek (pre's & amp's), and a local fellow for cables, have been very rewarding, and special experiences. While the rest of my rig cant be necessarily described as comprised of cottage industry components, my CAT amps, and Soundlab speakers are very close to being so e.g., not much advertising, few periodical reviews, but oh, what marvelous equipment!
For reasonable prices (i.e., relative items with similar sonic attributes), and the service one receives, my experiences highly recommend taking this small or cottage industry path. Obviously, thats not to say that the equipment found at the more mainstream companys cant compare, because I'm sure it can; however for me, knowing where my money is going, and being able to contact the designer especially for a complex item like a turntable, has been a big positive.
Good luck on your hunt ..Mike