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In Reply to: breaking : Idler Drive tables pointless hype, enthusiasts deluded posted by J.D. on September 18, 2006 at 12:02:14:
I have about a dozen issues of UHF and consider it to be an excellent magazine. The writing is very good and all equipment reviews are done by a panel of three people, two men, one woman. At the end of every review there is a section called Crosstalk in which each reviewer states their opinion of the gear in question. They also balance their subjective findings with some solid testing, albeit not as much as the typical John Atkinson test. Like any reviewer they're entitled to their opinion.There is a dedicated tech section where such things as room acoustics, speaker impedance, digital sampling, biwiring/biamping etc. are discussed in a very unbiased manner. Not to mention there is always a music review section often accompanied by musician or recording engineer interviews.
I don't know what issue you've got but the magazine typically runs 70 pages, and unlike other audio rags, there are very few full page ads.
That said, even though they make that comment regarding the Garrard, I have an issue (I think it may be the one containing the show report you reference) where one of them listens to a rebuilt Thorens TD124 (by Norma Hylee Tech, find them through Brinkmann's site). The comment was how he remembered the table never ran at the correct speed, but the updated one was pitch perfect and sounded fine.
I stongly recommend their books, they provide a great foundation in all things audio.
Follow Ups:
the deal with the name? I can't help but think of the pre-cable days of television (yes, kids, I'm that old! ) when the equivalent of public access was anything over 150 on the dial, or UHF.I guess it's better than the doltishly unimaginative 'Stereo Review', or maybe it's just a Brit thing, like trainspotting, or kidney pie.
Largely I was quoting them as a small, distracting bit of humor.But on the subject of taking them seriously, you've got to wonder about someone in a so-called 'reviewer' position who is willing berate Legendary -Level gear like the Garrard 301, or refer to the current Idler Drive 501 as not just 'obsolete', but yes, specifically 'o-b-s-o-l-e-t-e'.
Guess they felt they were being provocative, and kinda clever.
My opinion is that they are being kinda stupid .
At this point in the evolution of Analog LP Turntables, it is not only unwise, but in fact stupid, to rule out any of the technologies -- whether it's Idler, Direct, or Belt.
You may enjoy this variety of Audio Journalism, but "they provide a great foundation in all things audio" ??
I don't think so.
JD.
Oh I get the humour, the tempocentric concept that the latest is the greatest, but these guys love their tubes.The part about all things audio refers to their books. Which cover how each component of the audio chain works. Using analog as an example, they explain the function of idlers, direct drives and belt drives. In another book they cover amplifier topologies, different order crossover filters, digital circuits and so on. Yes, it might seem limited to those who are really into this hobby and who have access to the net to scour for new manufacturers and ideas; but, for anyone wanting to know what this hobby is about I still recommend the books.
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