2. analog
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Time for a "massive" turntable: Spacedeck vs Scheu

I have been considering upgrading my analog setup for a while (Michell Tecnodec and Thorens TD150 MKII). I will keep the Thorens as a nice example of a classic suspended deck. After many "light" turntables, I now would love to give mass-loaded table a try:

- Nottingham Spacedeck with Ace-Space arm

- Scheu Premier MKII with Moerch UP4 tonearm

I have listened to the Spacedeck a couple of times and love its solid sonic foundation, black backgrounds, solid bass, and warm but extremely detailed and tuneful sound. I have not had a chance to listen to the Scheu but would love to hear some comments and about direct comparisons with the Nottingham.

List of previous analog setups

Remaining system:
Denon DL103R (as the initial cartridge)
Wright WPP200C phono (planned)
Fi Y, Super X, First Watt F1
Cain & Cain Abby

Any comments, experiences, recommendations?

Rene
restock
ebarker2
64 posts
 
I've owned a Scheu for several years, and happily match it with the best arms and cartridges. I don't believe i've heard its inherent limitations yet. Build quality is superb, far above our UK competition (excepting SME and Simon Yorke). Nottingham make excellent turntables but reputation for quality control is not up to German standards - not sure that cnc work is either. The Scheu may well be going up in price soon. I also use Garrards, and just marginally prefer the Scheu. Another absolutely excellent turntable is the Kuzma Stabi (the one with brass t shaped plinth). The choice of arms will affect sound more. I prefer the DP6 to UP4 which I used on Scheu, but prefer Schroeder 2 or Cartridge Man Air bearing, or silver wired SME 4/5 to the Morch. It really is worth spending extra on the arm.
biomimetic
252 posts
 
I love my Spacedeck. If I buy another 'table it will be a Dais with my old spacearm for mono and and an Ace-Anna. I wouldn't change over to anything else. It reproduces as well as a Nagra reel-to-reel - which I have spent much time with. The Nagra's been around for forty + years and is still THE standard for recording the human voice. The SME's, VPI's, Clear Audio's and the rest I have heard, don't reproduce like that. Yorke's to me seem like novelty devices. Thom Galibier is a great guy who knows his doodoo and is helpful honest and cool. Thom Fletcher is a shy brilliant engineer who's also great in his standoffish way. I have also had good experiences with Transrotor and Scheu. All in all I guess I'm in that opposing camp.
analog11
2 posts
 
Teres would be my choice. I picked up a 255 here from Chris Brady. I put an OL Encounter on it and with the Teres VTA adjuster it's the best I have had in 30 years of owning tables. I have listened to the Spacedeck at a dealer several times and this bests it in clarity and weight by far. You can even put a Rega on it with the VTA adjuster...
sit
315 posts
 
For mass and quality have you condsidered the SOTA tables such as the Nova vacuum? The Origin Live Encounter arm or especially the Incognito work quite nicely on this table if you appreciate more natural sound. Match it with either a Shelter 901 or 90x cart and you will get "heavy".
biomimetic
252 posts
 
In the end my choice of a Space was probably as much about the arm as the motor - the Spacearm is actually one of the better arms around, with a unique way of working - the carbon fiber and unipivot, plus many small fine tuning choices. This and the overall thoughtout-ness, and set and forget aesthetic. Scheu's are similar in this regard, though have a different thoughtout-ness quality. Teres to me was for people in the gimble tonearm camp, and the tinkerers, or DIYers. I would rather listen to music. I do think Origin makes a strong table, but I prefer the quiet genius of the Space and it's low-torque motor, etc.
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