The issue seems to be longevity of the company and Linn and the others mentioned certainly qualify. Heresy from a brit, but I think the LP12 has lived on a deserved reputation for years. A number of UK suppliers outperform it now. Avid has been mentioned, a beautifully designed and engineered deck. The Michell Orbe and my own recommendation, the Origin Live Resolution, plus illustriuos arm. Again beautifully designed, well engineered and simple, so less to go wrong. It completely trounced my admittedly aged LP12 in all areas, detail, base retieval, soundstage. There is even a top of the line Sovereign deck I have not heard. The problem, they do'nt have a long track record, but so many of the best decks now seem to be from small, new companies, Teres fot example. But I would go for Origin Live myself
Who will survive? One last table til I die.
I want to buy a final turntable (call it 25 years worth of use until I can't hear or don't care). I want to be able to get parts and have it repaired for the next quarter century. I would also like the sound quality to be near the top or upgradable to near the top for that time period. I don't necessarily require that the manufacturer be solvent that long (the preferable situation), but otherwise the parts would have to be readily available and the design such that competent independent repair shops be able to fix it. I won't spend more than $10,000 and prefer (but don't require) an easy set up that doesn't need constant tweaking. I'm willing to pay for the proper stand and isolation needed over and above the initial cost.
I've got 9,000 LPs, and it doesn't make sense to start over replacing them with CD/SACDs (although I have decent digital equipment) even if I could find and afford replacements. Presently I have a CAT SL-1 III preamp and JL-2 amp, Wilson speakers, Sota Cosmos table, SME IV arm, and Koetsu/Lyra Clavis/AQ7000nsx cartridges.
Thanks in advance for your input. Steve
I've got 9,000 LPs, and it doesn't make sense to start over replacing them with CD/SACDs (although I have decent digital equipment) even if I could find and afford replacements. Presently I have a CAT SL-1 III preamp and JL-2 amp, Wilson speakers, Sota Cosmos table, SME IV arm, and Koetsu/Lyra Clavis/AQ7000nsx cartridges.
Thanks in advance for your input. Steve