Ultimate Turntable search...OMA K5 or ?

No issues with a Arche Headshell at this end, but as a more affordable entrance to this design type, the out of production Orsonic Headshells are very attractive in certain models.

I once owned a TT that sat upon a 9 Stone in weight Granite Plinth/Monolith.

To me this was pure Beauty, produced from Granite I had sourced and had formed to my design by a professional Stone Mason Service. This all took place when I was at a ideal age and at my ideal fighting weight.

One day my Back was injured with the result being a long time recovery, as a result of the Granite was being handled by myself. On another occasion the Plinth without the TT mounted was temporarily stored in the hallway of the home, to keep space it was at rest on its side wall, it fell over onto my wife's foot, the foot looked awful and needed medical attention.

We both fell out of love with the idea of the Granite, it lost its name as a Plinth and become referred to as the Pile of Dung (being polite I am).

The New Owner informed me a few years ago about their own  'on the foot' experience, and how they felt about the Granite, (we shared similar love for it) on putting the phone down I was in a state of laughter 😂😂🤣. My wife had empathy when she learned of the foot incident.

I do believe that I learnt a lesson very cheaply about Audio Sources having a substantial weight as part of the design. I learnt also the times you want to move such weight is usually when you are alone, the want to system tinker overlooks planning against risks.

To be scared of the consequences of handling a weighty Source that cost uber £0000's, there does seem to be a opportunity awaiting to fall out of the Honey Moon Period very quickly.

There isn't many devices( if any) available for use within the home that will make management of Heavy Devices a less concerning activity.  

Were all getting a little older and any weight can cause considerable discomfort when being managed. The creation of a situation where considerable weight must be managed, will be a high risk activity for ones maintenance of good skeletal and muscular health. I'm so glad I got of the must have Mass used for Audio Equipment obsession.

I have no issue with mass as a support structure for the system in general, I can deal with this as there is always time to man up with extra help and utilise devices to assist when needed.

My Monoblock Power Amp Sub-Plinth is approx' 200Kg of Granite.

No Issue with Art Deco it has its attraction.

If one reads the 'T1 sales speil' , the reader is steered by the author, to take on board  the notion, that the creation of other Competitors Companies TT's are born from an inferior foundation supporting the process through to the items production.

The T1 has made an entry to the Market Place with a stand that isn't 'taking any prisoners' , especially seems to suggest ones most expensive options are for the Buyers best if it is overlooked. 

As for the T1, shortly before Covid, I was demo'd a TT, that the Owner of Long Dog Audio had been commissioned to design the Electronics.

From recollection this has been a TT, that is driven with no coupling to the massive Platter. I do believe I have heard a TT with an SME V/12, sharing a propulsion for a Platter similar to how the T1 works. The Prototype I had been demo'd may be a Production Model in today's market. 

If anyone reading this thread has been intrigued by contactless drive for a TT's Platter, the link is showing a TT designed and produced by another advocate of the SP10 Mk III. This is a product that has a longer life as a product, resulting in info about its performance being easier to discover.

It is a TT that has been discussed on The Gon. 

The present used price, shows it is a TT, that is not commanding too much of a price to experience technology that uses contactless drive.

 @testpilot I am pleased the link was to your liking.

I'm doing a proportion of the Xmas Day Dinner and have a little time to hunt around, whilst hovering around in the Kitchen 🎅

As stated earlier in the thread, I have experienced a Prototype TT, that is designed to be contactless driven on the platter.

I have just searched out images from the event from June 2019 and have the TT in a image. As said it has a Substantial Depth Platter, approx' 5" inches deep, which I now recollect is produced from Delrin. The off board Electronic Control devices designed by the owner of 'Long Dog Audio' are also seen in the images

The Demo' given was carried out after a period given for demo's of variances of Modified Idler Drives, where replays were via a 'Long Dog Audio' Phonostage and 211 Valve Amp and a impressive design and performing OB Speaker.

The Contactless Drive Prototype was demo'd with a SME V/12, through the same Phonostage, 211 Valve Amp and the impressive design and performing OB Speaker. 

The recollection has been, after the event, I contacted my friend and well known Vintage DD Overhauler/Modifier, where I was informing them, the demo' given was very much in keeping with the experience we had, when we demo'd my Heavily Modified Idler Drive to his overhauled/modified SP10 Mk II.

The Prototype stood out in a notable way for its attraction over the other TT's being demo'd. Would the Prototype be compelling enough in a comparison to my now in use DD TT, to encourage myself to move on from my now in use overhauled/modified SP10 Mk II?

The SP10 Mk II demo' given, had a profound impact, where it compelled myself to move on from the long term use of Idler Drive TT's.

I have been investigating the R&D into organic origin resin composites and looking to see if they have yet been utilised for Audio Purposes.

I have recently discovered info about organic resin composites of which one type is now used within the Formula 1 Industry.

I have now learned the Esoteric Grandioso T1 has used this same material type in part of its construction. 

I can't help but sense the wood used on the chassis is a Phenolic Resin Impregnated Densified Wood. I am OK to be proved wrong, but with Linn now utilising the same material it makes sense to guess that way.   

As a user of a Log Fire for home heating, I can't recommend cutting up furniture coated with a finishing material to be used as Kindling.

If a Chimney Fire occurs, a Insurance Company will be taking swabs of the Flue Liner. Any Chemical Substances discovered that are not a deposit from wood will leave the property uninsured.

The only wood to be burnt is pure natural untreated woods.  

It is also worth noting this if a property is being moved into that has a Wood Fire that is intended to be used as working fire. The fire may have had all sorts burnt in it by the previous owner/owners, if a swab is taken at a time of need for financial support, it might not be offered through no fault made of ones own.

After looking at the AS 2000, it brought me back to a period when I was introduced to a TT from a different Brand. A TT that has a Highly Polished Platter with a substantial Depth and Weight.

When the retailer of the TT was met, it was at a time when I was involved in a few Audio Builds. On making these known of, the info caught the attention of the owner of the retail outlet that was based at their private residence.

The retailer was inquiring about being demo'd the builds, with a possible follow up  for acquiring the build / variants of builds being produced. The talk broached upon the possible cost for them and the Mark Up that would be needed to make the handling product viable.

I offered to introduce the retailer to all my EE contacts to see what they could arrange. Audio equipment as a tool is my interest, Audio is certainly not my vocation. I keep to the sidelines on such discussions, the content is usually found to have very little/if nothing to do with Audio and enjoying it to replay recordings.

The TT being shown to me at the time of encountering the retailer, was claimed to retail at £50K for the TT only.

The retailer was explaining if they could make 2 x Sales of the same companies Speaker on one of their Models or 1 x sale of the Companies TOTR speaker, they was then with the funds to purchase the TT.

To simplify it more, I was informed the TT' was approx' £20K direct from the Manufacturer. 

The retailer was keen to have Phon's I was involved with the build of, brought to their premises and used with the TT, in the hope these would be the best electronic ancillary to compliment the TT and chosen TA > Cart'.

I like people too much, I have no desire to be instrumental in seeing them parting with substantial monies to fund another's stay at home lifestyle. I myself never returned to the premises.

The EE responsible for the design and build of the Phon', ended up in a collaboration with a long term established individual who has been at Director Level in well known Companies and who today owns a well known Company. 

Shortly after that collaboration started, I received a 'cold call' private contact offering to me a Cartridge Spacer device, that was the one being made known of throughout the HiFi Press. There was a offer to receive this device for a substantially reduced price to the retail being seen. I did not reply to the stranger or the uninvited intrusion.

Next up the EE who is producing the Phon's, is informing myself all about the impression the Phon's have had and the plans for them being offered at High End Munich as £10K Phon's. The ideas had evolved, it was being made known how they wanted to have their own new range of Cables for the show. I am asked to supply all of my Wire Suppliers, especially the PC Triple C and D.U.C.C sources. 

For my support I am to receive a pair of Cables that are to retail at £2K.

I done the math for producing a Cable and as a result found the idea of continuing to support the request being made very unattractive.

There does seem to be a Market where certain products are not able to break out of the very low unit turnover of sales area, that as a counter are products on offer that come with a very high mark up for each unit.  

I have followed the Supatrac Tonearm from the very earliest time it was becoming a offered product, the designer has always been open about how it is being developed.

Even more admirable, the designer and now owner of the IP and rights to the Supatrac as a design, has been a regular participant on a Thread in the same forum as the link, about mimic designs to the Supatrac being produced. The designers input has been always encouraging the concepts to be developed to their maximum potential.

Dohmann TT’s are regularly presented by certain forum members as very worthy and a worthwhile consideration as a TT’s on this forum.

Mark Doehman has now adopted the use of the Supatrac and some comments made can be seen in the Link added.

Interesting as well, is the Supatrac is also seen used with a SP10 Mk II, mounted on a OMA Plinth.

I’m feeling quite pleased the Supatrac is being discovered by those curious and allowing the interest created to encourage further investing in their Vinyl Systems.

On this forum, I have in the past, encouraged others to consider a Tonearm which is a version/variant of the Supatrac that is being produced as a mimic TA. These are now to be seen in multiple designs built around the Supatracs Mechanical Interfaces and Geometry. A investigation will show there is not too much expense needed to be outlaid to get on board. For one who adopts the project, there is  valuable learning to be had if the Supatrac mimic approach is taken on as an activity.

How about a Supatrac used as a Curve Ball TA on other TT’s discussed in this thread, or even extending it to being a Curve Ball TA on other TT's in general.

As a TA, it certainly has become one that has creditability, a little help given where required, especially from a well regarded TT designer, who has discovered value from using it and is willing to make their experience and impression made public.

One can't overlook 124 Pages of emerging versions of the Supatrac, all seemingly receiving a sprinkle of Blessings from the Supatrac designer.

A novel take on a Uni-pivot arm (page 124) - Tonearms - Lenco Heaven Turntable Forum

The wonderful thing with the UK and Europe, is that there are still options to walk into a premises and share in experiences as seen in the Video Clip, or have ones very similar.

In my local HiFi Group, A member has their own HiFi Business that shares a range of products found at the videos host 'Ana Mighty Sound', there are regular experiences of loaned products for Group get togethers used in systems that are very familiar.

Phasemation and Sculpture A products are presented to the group on occasions.        

@rsf507 One of the HiFi Groups I attend (not for some time) has the venue that is the premises of a Audio Show Room in their Purpose produced demonstration room.

The Resident System I have encountered over the Years I visited approaches £200K, allowing for Power Treatments and Looms inclusive.

As a result of the £10K Phonostage, £70K Soulution Pre and Power Amp's and £75K Maxsonic Speakers.

The Proprietor has a real Passion for Vinyl sources in use TT>TA>Cart' can easily   add up to £50K+ if a TOTR AMG TT is offered for the Demo's and comparisons.

CS Port TT's are offered, but I can't recollect one being used solely as a Demo'-Comparison Model. 

All the above devices are intended to have devices built from scratch, modified to different levels or just plane old as purchased, used in place of the resident devices.

A simple rule prevails, its added to the system, and must work with no further tinkering needed or its rejected for the next in the line up. That rule has caused some contention at times, but it is well known and mostly accepted by all who attend.

Usually different meetings cover a a Main Topic, Vinyl Source, CD Source, Amplification and Speakers, but in general this is the Prime experience to be had, there are always other devices brought along and time set aside to hear them, as well as a more informal period where attendees can request a mix and match of devices to be added. 

Any Dealership can create a HiFi Club, it just depends on how the Proprietor feels about experiencing other musical encounters outside of the business hours and how they feel about individuals, most likely non-customers, having an ambition and interaction with a very expensive system that is a saleable set up. 

In relation to the response to my earlier post, I did limit the loan items to mainly electronic devices, such as Amp's. Many have been loaned from Phon's through to Power in both SS and Valve. On occasion TT types that are easier to transport have appeared as well as Tonearms and Cart's.

I'll say it again, as I have on many occasions prior to this, If one is looking for a real Bang for Buck Power Amp' that can stand 'toe to toe' with much much more expensive Power Amplification, looking in the direction of Neurochrome will do one no harm, especially if funds are very limited to get on board to this type of level of performance. 

The Link offers further insight to £100K+ TT’s, the content is sort of Hedge Fund-On Topic .

The Lists No5 Rossner and Sohn TT has a lot of resemblance as a finished aesthetic to the Contactless Platter Driven Prototype TT I have been referencing.