I said I would never buy another Turntable...Argh !!!

[rockitman]

Ordered an American Sound Turntable. Weight of the TT with two armboards is around 200kg,..440 lb.. Motor is an additional 30kg, 66lb. A true heavy weight with air bearing and no vacuum hold down. David does an excellent job of convincing one to do the best thing for their record playback. I am taking an early Spring 2018 time slot so I have a good wait to go. Time to call Herzan for another custom made welded steel TT stand...this time with a 32"x20" top plate foot print. These are pictures of David's beast with the new motor and motor controller (hope he doesn't mind). I am still numb from this buying decision experience..

[mshump]

Wow! that's killer ! Enjoy !!

[Rob]

you can never have too many turntables wow 440 lbs..high mass is certainly one way to do it. Are you going ol skool like DK and mounting SME 3009s on it?

[Dre_J]

I think it's the SME 3012R David likes.

[Rob]

good catch, that's what I meant to write

[rockitman]

SME for sure. One Graham....maybe SAT down the road.

[don]

You could of bought a lot of tapes instead, or is the desire for nostalgia just too much

[rockitman]

I have been spending a ton on golden era Decca, Columbia (SAX, 33CX) and HMV (ALP, ASD) classical records...along with all the great rca's 1s. I want even more out of the groove...

[Ritmo]

Holly Molly! Enjoy!

[kcin]

Wow! what a beast!

Sure..... all the talk of tape... but you just cannot beat the software in the vinyl format. Congratulations!

[rockitman]

I love tape...my world of music is far larger in the vinyl world....Vinyl is my daily workhorse...tape, more special occasioned.

[user510]

Holy Cow Batman...!
That's a beast alright. I presume with a platter that massive the air-bearing thrust is needed. No conventional thrust pad would take that much downforce for very long.
I admit I do have a 'thing' for this type of turntable.
-Steve

[rockitman]

I'm bummed I can't move it/install myself. The AF1 is my one man limit.

[MylesBAstor]

Congrats on the new table Christian! How much does the platter weigh?

[rockitman]

I will have to defer that question to David. I believe the plinth alone is 350lbs

[Bruce B]

Holy Crap..... I know you'll enjoy it. You only live once. Congrats!!

[rockitman]

You only live once is right....my creed !!! Thanks Bruce !

[Bill Hart]

Christian- congrats. You are among a small group of people with that table.
You mentioned the Herzan- are you going to use an isolation system under it, or are you just talking about the stand?
Is the motor and motor controller as originally built or are these improvements to the original?
I'm now geographically closer to David than to you, so I guess it's there where I'll finally get to see and hear (or not hear) this beast.
I'm all for high mass. This is just massive.

[rockitman]

Thanks Bill. Mike L reminded me about the Herzan AVI series active workstation table model NDW-A series. They can hold up to 660lbs...so that may be the platform for Thor's Hammer....

http://www.herzan.com/products/active-vibration-control/avi-series-upgrades.html

[rockitman]

[Guest]

My my it is indeed massive - I didn't know anything about this table until I read dk's thread at WBF The American Sound Table (for those as ignorant as I). I think that said the platter was ~200lbs. Congratulations, Christian! Is this one of David's originals or from a new line of issuance being built; sounds like the latter since you mentioned a 'slot' for next Spring?

[rockitman]

It's a new one. The only downside...I can't move much of anything with this TT (motor only). I'm an independent person and like being able to reposition any stereo equipment by myself. No longer...lol

Because it sits so low, I take my Monaco off its feet and mount it on a jig in order to do a cartridge alignment. It is much easier to position the 'table to my eye than the other way around. Hope you find a spot that allows good access.

I suppose you'll keep the wheels on that Herzan unit.

[rockitman]

I Have 6 mos to figure out the spacing. Looks like my desktop computer workstation will be finally moved out of the room....to give me lots of access to the AS. In all likelihood, I will on use only 2 arms on the beast.

[Marcus]

Congratulations Christian. Would be interesting to read why did you choose this turntable. Surely there is a story behind your decision...

[rockitman]

Actually I was not in the market for a TT and to be honest prior to knowing about more American Sound's becoming available, if I were to add another spinner it was going to be a Technics done by Artisan Fidelity. When David originally announced more AS's being built, I initially declined his offer. The seed was planted however and upon more thought, moisture and germination, the seed took hold and I knew this was my only opportunity, so I changed my mind and took the plunge.

[Marcus]

👍 Thanks.

[dcc]

This is a fantastic purchase. Are you planning to keep all your turntables or settle for just the final ultimate one?

[rockitman]

No plans to part ways with any of them yet...

[Mike Lavigne]

I also ordered one of these beasts about 2 weeks ago, joining Christian in the madness.

[Rob]

Ron Resnick as well?

[rockitman]

Yes...Ron has one coming too.

[Ki Choi]

$$$? or if I have to ask, I can't afford it?