Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?
Tonywinsc, You flatter me :-) I don't believe that I have more experience than many folk here? What I do have through my architectural profession......is a working knowledge of structural engineering, building materials, construction techniques and building acoustics. I am convinced that the fundamental enemy of the 'turntable system'.....is Structure-Bourne Feedback. Many people assume that Air-Bourne Feedback is the issue as they perceive an increase in feedback when they increase the volume from the speakers.....whereas the increased volume is merely highlighting the Structure-Bourne feedback. Every suspended timber-framed floor is wracked with Structure-Bourne feedback due to structural deflections....and surprisingly......every suspended reinforced concrete slab is also wracked with similar Structure-Bourne Feedback due to the same structural deflections. Only a steel reinforced concrete slab on the ground can be relatively free of this form of feedback. The stresses caused by these structural deflections result in 'movement' and continuous low-frequency energy within the floor system. All the expensive stands, isolation platforms and turntable suspension systems are designed primarily to isolate the plinth and platter from this Structure-Bourne Feedback but very few are 100% effective because of the severe low-frequency of the feedback and because of the movements induced. Once you have heard a turntable system.....any turntable system......totally free of this Structure-Bourne Feedback......you will realise the singular importance of this principle. You will also notice when this is achieved.....that tonearms and cartridges are generally liberated to perform their tasks as designed? So I agree with you.......the type of drive system implemented and the absolute accuracy of speed maintenance is not as significant IMHO? |
Comparing the technology in turntables with that of cars is dubious at best? The physics and functioning of the turntable system has been pretty well understood for decades.....and in the case of idler drives and direct drives....there are few current or modern designs which can compete...let alone match........the top of the line designs from the 70s and 80s. A fairer comparison of the art of turntable design I feel....would be with analogue watches. Ask yourself whether a 2013 Patek Philippe wrist watch is technologically better than a 1930s, 1940s or 1950s Patek Philippe? |
The Internet has transformed how audiophiles do things, and the 'AHEE' has had to tag along.I think Ralph is spot-on with this comment. The average audiophile is so much more informed today because of the multitude of Forums such as this one........that the reviewers themselves have had to become better informed as a result. I can detect this change in the style and content of the writings in all the on-line reviews as well as the big two mags....Stereophile and TAS. The so-called AHEE is now on the back foot as Ralph implies.....and appears more a 'reflection' of current audiophile sentiment rather than a leader of it IMHO? |
Hi Tbg, I love the Victor also :-) Extremely hard to find these days.....in good working order? It took me two years to find mine....and I kissed a few frogs before I found the Princess. If you contact Tommy at TopClass Audio and ask him to find one........at least you know it will be working. Tommy also has the TT-101 as his personal turntable so he knows what to look for. Good luck..... |
Tbg, Tommy is right. Specific parts are not available without a 'donor' TT. You may find This Thread amusing? On the other hand.......new capacitors are all available....and Lewm has discovered that by Googling the transistor part Nos easily obtained from the Technical Manual on Vinyl Engine.......one can find replacements for all the transistors and ICs used in the TT-101 HERE Life is too short to worry about the future.......? My audio journey would be a lot poorer without the Victor TT-101 :-) |
As I sit in my rocking chair in Sydney, I thank you Eckart for that extensive (and exhausting) comparative exercise. It would be invaluable to most of us who have never heard an EMT 927 or big Micro even…..to hear how the Japanese DD decks compare in all the usual audiophile categories like soundstage, depth, transparency, palpability, timing and frequency reproduction? Perhaps you could elaborate when you have a chance…? |
Norman, I used to have my Victor installed in a stainless steel cradle http://i.imgur.com/2FH8xGR.jpg But have since had a solid granite one made http://i.imgur.com/S97uGns.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ddKNHVx.jpg Thuchan had an identical cradle made from my drawings except his was fabricated out of slate. Probably better....👀 |
The TT-101 was the greatest stand alone motor JVC/Victor ever produced. It was a professional Reference motor unit made to compete with the Technics SP10/III, the Pioneer Exclusive P3/P3a and the Kenwood L-07D. http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-TT-101.html The later QL-A75 and QL-A95 were integrated turntables with the motor units based on the TT-101 but Victor never again produced a motor unit more advanced or as complex as the TT-101. The TT-801 was a TT-101 with a vacuum hold-down pump added. The QL-A70 is a toy in comparison to the mighty TT-101 👅 |
And I stand behind my "one set of ears" comment. As the original post is one's experience. As are most critical 'reviews', be they of films, cars, cameras, restaurants and yes......hi-fi. The important aspects to an individual review of 'anything' are the credentials of the 'reviewer'. In this case, Thuchan's are impeccable. Sonicbeauty however is an unknown quantity.....🤓 |
Nice Post kmccarty. I also remember my listening experiences with the Rockport Sirius III which stunned me. Although there were problems in the lower registers (which may have been caused elsewhere in the system)....I too have never since heard the same explosive dynamics nor detail intensity from a turntable. |
