Service or Disservice?

[MylesBAstor]

To the analog cause?

[JackD201]

As an owner of one of the 10 and witnessing how the features actually do indeed trickle down for 9 out of the 10 manufacturers listed, I would say service. Service on the buyers part since we are apparently paying for the R&D!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Seeing as you are an owner and know a hell of a lot more about this than I do, I would agree with your post. And aren't we already seeing that with the less expensive TechDAS models?

[JackD201]

Yes Johnny and as I said every other mark listed save one. The last one, the most expensive, has a lower model planned but to my knowledge has not been realized yet.

[tom_hankins]

It's a service for me. Makes me think I'm being thrifty saving for the Avid Acutus Reference SP

[1morerecord2clean]

It's a service for me. Makes me think I'm being thrifty saving for the Avid Acutus Reference SP

not sure what question you are asking Myles? Are tables like these a disservice to high end audio? Is that the question?

[tom_hankins]

not sure what question you are asking Myles? Are tables like these a disservice to high end audio? Is that the question?

My poor attempt at comedy. I think its a great service to every level of equipment when the envelope is pushed at the top.

[1morerecord2clean]

My poor attempt at comedy. I think its a great service to every level of equipment when the envelope is pushed at the top.

i understood what you were saying and the ha ha in it. I'm just asking if Myles is making a case for audio equipment at this price point as being a deterrent to high end audio to those not in the hobby?

[JCOConnell]

i understood what you were saying and the ha ha in it. I'm just asking if Myles is making a case for audio equipment at this price point as being a deterrent to high end audio to those not in the hobby?

Well, they did have a top 10 turntables list of the best buy for the money of all time which would be of interest to newcomers to the hobby.

[Analog21]

As I'm sure we all can attest to, the cost of component or accessory does not correlate with performance. Individual preferences are also a factor, as well as diminishing returns. Some companies' "house sounds" I just do not care for. Being this article is about expense only, I find it neither positive or negative. I don't have much experience with what hifi, so cannot comment on the rest of their media content. I do think that really outrageous prices have a way of frustrating the audio community rather than bring people together. Their is such animosity in so many audio communities and forums, that it really gave me pause when I first entered into the audio world a short 2 years ago. I'm not say that expensive audio components are the reason, but I think it plays a part.

[MylesBAstor]

Let me share my thoughts:

1. What would I think if I was someone looking to get back into the analog game? Especially on RSD! I have to spend big bucks to play my vinyl?

2. This is like a Chinese menu. It also equates performance with cost and we all know that is not necessarily true.

3. It sets a precedent for new companies to come out with ridiculously priced turntable simply to get press.

4. Many of these table are one off production models. What happens if you buy one and the company is out of business in two years. You are stuck with a boat anchor.

5. I even wonder if the person writing this piece or anyone at the magazine even heard some of these turntables?

[JackD201]

What's RSD Myles?

At least half of the companies on this list are over 10 years old. Still, there is never any guarantee for any company to stay alive especially in what is in many instances a key man industry.

I try not to worry about if the price freaks people out or not because there really are great tables that don't cost as much as a luxury car or a house. It's not like there aren't any options out there. I'd hazard to guess that there has never been so many excellent choices at all price points as there are today.

I also don't worry about those trying to get attention by charging eye watering amounts. The market will decide their fate. Those that can't back their prices with commensurate performance will get what they deserve the same way someone who buys purely for "prestige" will get what he deserves.

While I certainly don't think that one needs to spend anywhere near this kind of money to enjoy vinyl, I do think we can all agree that the basement is not the place to be. By that I mean one needs a relatively quiet deck, at least a decent MM, some effort in setup, well cared for LPs, etc, etc for things to at least be better than an MP3 played through a cellphone's output.

[Bruce B]

Besides the TechDas, aren't all of these belt driven?

[david k]

Actually they're not all belt driven Bruce but TechDas is.
david

[MylesBAstor]

The Meteor is direct drive. I think all the others are some sort of belt or belt/magnetic drive, etc.

[Johnny Vinyl]

What's RSD Myles?


While I certainly don't think that one needs to spend anywhere near this kind of money to enjoy vinyl, I do think we can all agree that the basement is not the place to be. By that I mean one needs a relatively quiet deck, at least a decent MM, some effort in setup, well cared for LPs, etc, etc for things to at least be better than an MP3 played through a cellphone's output.

I think I just squeezed in ...phew! Haha!

RSD = Record Store Day

[Rob]

Service of disservice? I think a conundrum exists from the way records are made to the way we think they should be played back. At a certain level we're chasing our tail. When we're still cutting lacquers on lathes built n the 1950s what makes us think we are continually improving playback of those same records by throwing money at playback side. I think many excellent solutions to the 'playback problem' already exist and have existed for years, all of them cost well under six figures. the trend of ever more expensive gear is an entire other issue with this hobby that has less to do with recreating the best sound.

[cpp]

Not sure how this is a response to either. Someone makes a turntable that cost $100k, someone buys it, is that a service or a disservice I say neither. Its just marketing to a select group of people that might have the funds to acquire the device. Maybe its called, SEE WHAT I GOT

[Rust]

I think they should not have published such a potentially counterproductive article right in front of record store day. The idea behind record store day is after all to attract new and neophyte folks to vinyl as fun and affordable. This is not to say someone who can afford such tables shouldn't buy them, just that from a marketing perspective to expand the audience it may not be the best decision.