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WTF ? ...

50.177.193.43
Posted on July 18, 2014 at 13:35:39
reelsmith.
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Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 This week’s WTF (Which Turntable Friday) pits a modern assault on top performance verses a vintage one.

A small stipulation this week ...you can’t pick the expensive one and sell it to buy the other one, or some other table. Whichever one you pick is yours for keeps ...and for free.

The first table was designed and built by former Micro-Seki engineers and uses an air-bearing platter and "…the chassis is a three-part constrained-layer damping structure composed of aluminum on the top and bottom, with “super duralumin” in the middle. The chassis alone contributes 95 pounds of the ’table’s 175-pound weight. The 66-pound platter is composed of four distinct components, all made from different materials. An integral vacuum hold-down system couples the LP to the top platter. Turning off the vacuum by pressing a button on the chassis creates slight positive pressure to make record removal easier. The entire structure sits on three suspension pods that isolate the ’table with a combination of air and a liquid polymer. The $125,000 Air Force One (without arm) looks like a very serious (and beautiful) piece of hardware."

...or you can have the venerable Technics SP-10MK3 with EPA-100 tonearm. Technical information in the link below.

I'll take the SP-10MK3. I like a table that looks like one and not a space ship ...and I'm sure its performance is light years beyond the rest of my system.

Which is your pick?

Have a great weekend.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

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    ...
Easy decision this week..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 14:04:04
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
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Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 I'd take the Technics. It's a deck I've always 'admired from afar'.

The Air Force One may be a tour-de-force but as I get older I find hyper-exotic products have less and less appeal to me. At that price, unless it truly does transport me through time and space to the original recording studio/hall, I'm sure I'd be disappointed with it's performance. The looks don't do it for me either.

You have a good weekend too!!

 

I'll take the SP-10 Mk III..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 14:14:51
John Elison
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Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I always wanted an SP-10 with all the trimmings. ;-)

As little as I play vinyl these days, the Air Force One is just too complicated and massive for me in my old age. In fact, I now play my Technics SL-1200 more often than my Sota Millennia Vacuum, which I reserve primarily for making high-resolution digital copies of vinyl.

Best regards,
John Elison

 

SP-10 MK II for me thanks., posted on July 18, 2014 at 14:58:51
Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001
 Tried and true, as well as a good bit of vintage.


Dman
Analog Junkie

 

Air Force!, posted on July 18, 2014 at 15:32:47
mark111
Audiophile

Posts: 4699
Joined: April 12, 2002
 For free?! That's a lot of TT. I can't imagine it would sound bad. If I really wanted ,I could probably buy an SP-10, but I doubt I could come up with the $s for the Air Force.
enjoy,
mark

 

Air force, posted on July 18, 2014 at 16:26:59
slapshot
Audiophile

Posts: 2248
Joined: January 9, 2006
 But as a Micro Seiki owner, I tend to like the larger tables. But, if I have to do the lifting, the the techniques will do!

 

Mk III..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 16:28:16
reelsmith.
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Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 Thanks John.

The Vintage Knob refers to it as a MK3, so I assumed that was correct, but after poking around, it seems you are right.

Whatever the case, I want one.

Dean.








reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

SP-10 MK III. There. I Said It.., posted on July 18, 2014 at 16:28:21
HotStamper
 I would even consider trading the EMT for one.
Nah...
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No!
Yes!
NO!
YES!
NOOO!!!!!
YES!!!!!
AAAAGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

SP-10 MK III for me as well, posted on July 18, 2014 at 16:35:50
blues4ever
Audiophile

Posts: 1004
Location: New Mexico
Joined: May 28, 2003
Contributor
  Since: June 22, 2010
 I've always kinda wanted one and, as with several other responders, I'm gettin' too old (only 64 but it's old enough) to move 175 pounds of turntable around.
For perfect tone use Columbia Needles
For Best results use Victor Needles
For best results use OKEH Needles

 

I didn't mean it as a correction for what you wrote..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 17:47:43
John Elison
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Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I often call my SL-1200 a Mk II even though the manual says Mk2. You were actually correct in the Mk3 designation. I just would love to own one.

Best regards,
John Elison




 

That's too funny ..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 18:07:24
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 Thanks John !

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: easy choice....., posted on July 18, 2014 at 18:46:56
user510
 First off the Air Force One sells for, what..... 15 to 20 times the cost of a "vintage" Technics SP10 mkIII. And the Technics will possibly/likely require service. That makes the choice easy....take the Air Force One, flip it for somewhere above $100K. With the proceeds buy a nice SP10 mkIII. Then, with the pocket change left over, buy a new Maserati....or a motor home, whichever trips one's trigger.


Above photo: Bob Graham stands aside the Tech-Das AirForce turntable, which I understand he now distributes in North America.

Above photo: Turntable designer Hideaki Nishikawa and his masterpiece TechDAS Air Force One Turntable.

The AirForce One is interesting. Especially since the legendary Micro Seiki designer, Hideaki Nishikawa is behind it. The styling doesn't really work for me but I'd definitely like to hear one.

-Steve

 

Exactly ..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 19:02:37
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 ...why I added the stipulation

Reread the OP.

I wanted to make the decision tougher.

Dean.





reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: silly rule...., posted on July 18, 2014 at 19:06:39
user510
 But what is preventing me from accepting the expensive one and then selling it....anyway. Would there have to be conditional contract signed prior to acceptance of the Tech Das.....I dunno.

-Steve

 

Do me a favor .,., posted on July 18, 2014 at 19:14:42
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 ...please post a WTF next week. I'm running out of ideas, hence the stipulation.

Think about it.

Thanks.

Dean.


reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: kinda busy...., posted on July 18, 2014 at 19:48:44
user510
 ....sitting in the corner wearing a pointy hat.

-Steve

 

Discounting how stupid the AirForce One. . . , posted on July 18, 2014 at 20:16:01
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
 looks I'd still take it over the Technics.


Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

I like the idea of the Air Force One, posted on July 18, 2014 at 20:19:06
Curious
Dealer

Posts: 5878
Joined: April 28, 2010
 Primarily because it would seem that you get the best of both worlds as far as Micro Seiki DNA with the supposed advantages that newer materials and CAD bring to the table. I'm a huge fan of unsuspended, mass loaded designs.
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

 

The SP-10 Mk III..., posted on July 18, 2014 at 22:42:49
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 Plays 78's. That would be a useful feature.

All that TT and SOTA blah blah blah and Air Force One doesn't even do that!


"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Without question, the AF1., posted on July 19, 2014 at 04:07:57
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 I'd then put it on eBay for $25K or best offer. If someone offers $15-18K, I'd sell and look for a nice SP-10 MKII or MKIII and pick it up for $10-12K. Then spend the rest on a nice cartridge and rekkids.





Opus 33 1/3

 

I'd like to add that, posted on July 19, 2014 at 04:19:35
Curious
Dealer

Posts: 5878
Joined: April 28, 2010
 I'd sell the AF1 and buy a cheaper turntable. Then I'd use the rest of the proceeds to hire a tutor and work on my reading comprehension.

Sorry Dean. I was feeling left out.
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

 

LOL. (nt), posted on July 19, 2014 at 07:18:23
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 .


reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: WTF ? ..., posted on July 19, 2014 at 07:57:15
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
 I would take the SP-10. It's more my style. I am not into glam....

 

RE: WTF ? ..., posted on July 19, 2014 at 09:04:04
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
 I'll take the SP-10MK3 knowing it to be a mint sample, a fine table, and frankly there's no way I would take the AF1 because it is butt ugly, it make TOTL SOTA table with the black scaffolding frame, never a fan of, look gorgeous by comparison. However even the most recent version of that has been made pretty hot - not 100% convinced

Point is AF1 is uggggly!

[is the SOTA vacuum hold down?]



 

SP10 MKIII , posted on July 19, 2014 at 09:46:07
Des
Audiophile

Posts: 2110
Location: Great Barrier Reef
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Contributor
  Since: August 2, 2000
For Moi-My personal view is the AFOne is OK -don't like Graham Arm with it--sorry--heard that

combo twice now--

I like to hear the Kuzma 4 point or my fav the Breuer with the AF One that would lift it's

performance considerably I feel.

Des

 

you are selling it cheap, posted on July 19, 2014 at 10:23:04
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 100 K OBO, take 90 for it, buy an SP10 MK3 with all trimmings, get a nice cart, a pair of Atmasphere MA2s a new pair of Soundlab Majestics...and look for extra money for a preamp :)....


or go the used route in which case there would be money left for a preamp too :)


dee
;-D

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

I'll take the Technics, and for two reasons, posted on July 19, 2014 at 14:28:53
M3 lover
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Posts: 6605
Location: SW Mich
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Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 1. I have a SP-10 Mk 2A (that's straight off the Technics label) and based upon its performance I suspect the Mk 3 would be all I'd ever need.

2. I think it is good advice never to eat anything larger than the palm of your hand or own any audio component you can't lift!

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

you take suggestions?, posted on July 19, 2014 at 20:39:38
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 I have a few ideas :)

Japan vs the Swiss :)

or Germany vs the USA...


dee
;-D



True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

Thanks ..., posted on July 20, 2014 at 08:09:35
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 I've done Japan verses the Swiss, but will give the second one a shot.

Dean.


reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

Send me email, if you want model numbers :), posted on July 20, 2014 at 09:07:47
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 dee
;-D

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

I've got a better idea ..., posted on July 20, 2014 at 09:23:56
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 Why don't you post next weeks WTF ?

Class participation earns bonus pints.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

I put a reminder in my calendar, posted on July 20, 2014 at 09:30:00
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 .
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

Excellent. Thanks ! (nt), posted on July 20, 2014 at 11:20:52
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 .


reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

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