@lewm , "pimped out hymn to bad taste" That is the best expression I have heard in a long time and a florid understatement:-) Even the Air Force Zero is several hundred steps too far.
To put this degree of effort into a medium that is inherently imperfect defies reason other than there might be a few uneducated rich people to make money off of. They are much better off buying art work. It might actually appreciate. These tables are just as likely to sound worse as better and I am very serious about that. Over the years I have heard some very ornate equipment that did not sound so hot certainly relative to the expense. It is entirely possible that some very reasonable well designed turntables might even out perform many, if not all of these mega buck tables. Anyone can throw a lot of money at a problem. The trick is to solve it for as little as possible. This not only goes for turntables, but cartridges and speakers as well.
Think about it. you can drive to work in a Honda Accord or a Lamborghini Hurican. Who is going to be more comfortable? What about the Honda vs a Mercedes 300 E. Not much difference. I can understand liking finely crafted and engineered things but in realty the Mercedes and Lambo are just raw ego for many of the people that buy them. They can not be seen driving a lowly Honda. If driving excellence and fun are the issue you buy a 911.
IMHO there in no need to spend more than $20K on turntable, tonearm and cartridge. $60K gets you a very marginal, questionably audible improvement. More than that? Go get yourself a Ferrari. At least you'll have something nice to look at.
To put this degree of effort into a medium that is inherently imperfect defies reason other than there might be a few uneducated rich people to make money off of. They are much better off buying art work. It might actually appreciate. These tables are just as likely to sound worse as better and I am very serious about that. Over the years I have heard some very ornate equipment that did not sound so hot certainly relative to the expense. It is entirely possible that some very reasonable well designed turntables might even out perform many, if not all of these mega buck tables. Anyone can throw a lot of money at a problem. The trick is to solve it for as little as possible. This not only goes for turntables, but cartridges and speakers as well.
Think about it. you can drive to work in a Honda Accord or a Lamborghini Hurican. Who is going to be more comfortable? What about the Honda vs a Mercedes 300 E. Not much difference. I can understand liking finely crafted and engineered things but in realty the Mercedes and Lambo are just raw ego for many of the people that buy them. They can not be seen driving a lowly Honda. If driving excellence and fun are the issue you buy a 911.
IMHO there in no need to spend more than $20K on turntable, tonearm and cartridge. $60K gets you a very marginal, questionably audible improvement. More than that? Go get yourself a Ferrari. At least you'll have something nice to look at.