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WTF = Which Turntable Friday
Premise: Someone is stupid enough to offer you your choice of the turntables pictured below, for FREE. All you need to do is explain why you chose the one you did and it is yours. Free is a good price, so pick one.
This week’s choices are the Dynavector DV500 and the Audio Basis Art. The DV500 was made for Dynavector by Well Tempered and is said to maximize the capabilities of the DV505 arm. The Audio Basis is said to be an all-out assault on isolation and incorporates what they claim to be one of the world’s finest turntable motors. Oh, it weighs 400 pounds.
Dynavector DV500
Audio Basis Art
This is an unusually easy choice for me. I’ll take the Dynavector, for a few reasons. First, I like turntables that look like turntables. Second, I prefer turntables that fit in a rack, rather than are a rack. I also have no need for any component that weighs 400 pounds. I don't even want a system that adds up to 400 pounds. And lastly, I've always lusted after the Dynavector arm, so this is an opportunity to scratch that itch.
So, which is the one for you and why?
A request; if you folks want to play WTF next week, someone will need to fill in for me as I will not be around. Better yet, a few of you should give it a shot. More WTFs, more fun.
Have a great weekend everyone.
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.
Follow Ups:
I would pick the Audio Basis Art in the hope that come the Decepticon invasion it would transform into Optimus Prime and defend my vinyl collection from alien robot annihilation!
.
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.
Hi, Dean,
I'd take the Dynavector DV505 tonearm and figure out a way to make it work on my Gyro SE turntable. (The 'arm is WAY too heavy but it would be a fun project.) The combination would be striking; if you like that look.
That Basis turntable is outright ugly. It may be a fine-sounding setup but it's just too funky (and heavy) for me to even consider, even for free.
Regards,
Tom
I happen to admire Basis turntables, the human-sized ones. But I hate acrylic, especially acrylic platters. Also, even with two large systems in two different rooms, I have no space available for a 400-lb monster like that. On the other hand, I am not a fan of WT stuff, to put it mildly. However, the DV500 at least does away with the WT product I most dislike, the tonearm (all versions). What appears to be the DV507 tonearm on the DV500 is probably about as good as the top of the line Basis tonearm on the Basis tt; some might prefer one over the other, but it's mostly a matter of taste and cartridge choice. (I own a DV505 and a DV501, but my high regard for the Vector tonearm is based only on photos and verbal descriptions.) So,.... I don't want anything this week. Thanks.
.
I'll go with the SCI-FI prop. My HiFi room won't look any stranger and maybe all of that engineering will produce good sound. Besides I don't have any jagged aluminum superstructures in my décor and it maybe just what I need.
Most of you, including me, chose a $3500 vs a $150,000. When things are free, the main value becomes something else based only on the perception of the receiver of the free stuff. cool :)
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
...and that's why I paired them. I wanted to see how many folks would prefer a fairly reasonably priced, normal looking table to a costly science fiction statement piece with the premise preventing cost from being an object at all.
My hunch was correct.
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.
shall be not forgotten.
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
Although I agree with bjh that the Basis would look a lot better without the stand and supports. The Dynavector has a cleaner look. Also, I've always wanted to try that DV505 arm.
nt
Dman
Analog Junkie
I find the DV arm intriguing and I'll jump at the chance to have it, along with its WT platform.
In the end, even if I love the sound and aesthetics, a 400 lb 'table is not going to be practical for me to own. I have to add that in any event the aesthetics of this one are bothersome for me.
"Never look at the trombones...it only encourages them." Richard Wagner
Being a Well Tempered ower, I would opt for the WT with the Dynavector. That said, I really like the arm that comes on the Amadeus and that table looks like an Amadeus with the Dyna arm.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Like BPoletti, I presume that the best sounding TT should be the one to grab. The Work of Art is AJ Conti's top offering. It's priced up in 1% territory. It must be the better sounding Lp spinner.
Its suspension design looks like a no compromise effort. A "hungie" with the center of gravity down low. It should be well isolated from its physical surrounding. Assuming a solid floor, the base should provide a rigid structure for it to carry out its duties. The vacuum platter is also a definite plus.
Even the Walker Proscenium Black Diamond doesn't have a vacuum platter. But then the WoA does not have an air bearing platter. At that price we should expect more than just one exotic design feature.
It has already been established (a few WTF's) back that it is not allowed to cash out the chosen prize. We have to keep what we choose. And that WoA weighs 400 lbs. It will take a serious effort to transport it anywhere.
I'm not crazy about the looks of the WoA. There is far too much thick acrylic. It looks gratuitous in its use of acrylic. Even the chassis architecture with its prominent spring towers looks over the top. The whole thing....gratuitous....masturbatory.
The Well Tempered with a DV (507?) arm does look interesting. I'll admit that the DV tonearm isn't for everybody. And I have yet to get my hands on one.... but I'll take it on faith that it can deliver the sonic goods. Especially when fitted with a nice upscale DV cartridge. Like maybe a Te Kaitora Rua. That should be entertaining. Sensible, yet exotic.
Yup. I'm going with the DV.
-Steve
one interesting design aspect of the simplex/Amadeus design is that Bill did away with the adjustability of the original WTT bearing design. Now it is simply two opposing, offset, short teflon V-blocks in the tube with a bottom point at offset to spin on. I guess that he figured that after 30+ years he had very few bearings come back for an adjustment. I still like the adjustable points better, but i also think that the PTFE is too soft for a long running bearing, even though probably PTFE is as about as slick as snails on a greased platform, it deforms more than you would want it. But the WTT has a light platter to compensate for that :). I think Bill is a true genius, so i have to go with that stroke. But i already said that.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
Edits: 10/25/14 10/25/14
I would pick the Basis simply for the high price so I can sell it for half price right away to a deep pocket audiophile and then use the money to buy my own system.... and still have spare change left!
Personally, I would pick neither turntable but would uninstall both tonearms and keep just the arms. :)
Get rid of the "jutting out".
That would be gorgeous!IMHO
Amazing how a simple modification can truly improve the look of the deck. I think a lot of people have a 'problem' with all the acrylic, but Conti's decks have always used acrylic.
Which sounds better. That's all that counts.
Generally I have nothing against mammoths and find many highly desirable but I always disliked the look of the Audio Basis Art and so am going with the Dynavector.
for the simple reason that the other thing is an ABOMINATION, and the Dyna is likely a perfect match for my XXII Mk2.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
The tonearm intrigues me and I don't want or need a 400 lb pound plastic & glitz monstrosity.
Later Gator,
Dave
Dynavector, for the same reasons you mention.
looks like it belongs in a lab. Reminds me of a machine made by Instron that I used in a physical testing lab years ago.
It would also scare my daughter. :D
Thanks for doing WTF so consistently. It's a lot of fun!
Have a great weekend. :)
...as long as I have the time I'll stick with it.
I need a sub for next week.
Volunteers?
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'll take the Dynavector and I'll give you a hand to take the other thing back to the Tardis, Dr Who is missing his tunes.
I have a lower end Basis table now that sounds fantastic. I can only imagine how great this would sound. Mr. Conti makes prcision instruments to extract the maximum sound from records. I hope it comes with the new Superarm 9!!
the Audio Basis sounds much more "open" with the model with five holes in each of the armature towers. Who would want 400 pounds to move around, knowing it was not their best model? ;^)
"You can’t know what the “best” is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn’t any such thing." HP
I've always loved the look of it.
An audio buddy of mine who lives in a Detroit suburb has one and loves the heck out of it. Looks like a chore to set up, but I'll take my chances.
Hope all ya'll have a terrific weekend!
I don't like the looks of the Basis, but I have to pick it. It has vacuum hold-down and that is important in terms of sound quality. I would rather not have a unipivot tonearm, but I also don't particularly like the Dynavector tonearm. Oh, well, I guess I'll live with the Basis monstrosity. I'll put it right next to my Rockport Sirius III that I got last week. ;-)
Best regards,
John Elison
John Elison: "I would rather not have a unipivot tonearm."
It's not a true unipivot. It does not have azimuth rocking movement like typical unipivot designs because it has a secondary ball bearing to stabilize it. It's quite clever, really. It belongs to a genre that's faux-unipivot or uni and half that they all feature a stabilizing system that's more than low slung counterweight. The Vector arm is similar to Continuum's Cobra and Copperhead and Graham Phantom and Nottingham Space arm, etc.... , all have a secondary bearing in addition to the main spike bearing.The downside is that it probably has slightly more friction than pure unipivot.
I'd chuck that mat though. I prefer the simple looks of the Well Tempered, and like Dean, I've long wanted to try a Dyna tonearm. I'd probably transplant the tonearm onto my Kenwood KD-990 though, and then buy the Well Tempered arm to match that deck.
The Basis doesn't do anything for me, although it might sound like the second coming...
Another giant acrylic-plattered behemoth? No thanks. I'll take the WT/Dyna ,thank you. Two things interest me ; I've always thought the WT 'tables were interesting ,and that Dynavector arm looks cool.
enjoy,
mark
Because i like well tempereds, I assume that is the same bearing, motor and plinth as the simplexthere I said it...
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
Edits: 10/24/14 10/24/14
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