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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
suttlaw

Showing 2 responses by tbg

tbg
5,263 posts
 
I finally bought a Garrard 501 after looking at 301s and 401s a long time ago. I have had some very exceptional tables, many mentioned earlier, but think the Garrard especially with the Schroeder and Decca are the best I have heard.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Gregadd, if you believe H-Cat's designer, Roger Paul, all electronics substantially color music as some frequencies pass immediately and others are delayed, what he calls Dopler shifts. I have not heard his amp as yet but can indeed tell you that you have heard nothing until you hear the Dopler free H-Cat preamp and phono. If you think you have heard an accurately reproduced trumpet you are wrong.

But the reality with which we all have to live is that speakers cannot reproduct music with much accuracy especially in most rooms.

I have spent forty years pursuing realism in music reproduction, and hopefully will spend many more. There is no question that what I am hearing now far surpasses what I heard those many years ago.

As to the laws of physics, I think few scientists would claim we have lawful relationships that much predict the performance of amplifiers or speakers.
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