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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: Ultimate Turntable
Post Subject: Questions vs Assumptions (or Attacks)Posted by dkarmeli on: 5/4/2014
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 Paul S wrote:
No "cost assumption" was made or posited about bearings, rather the remark was framed as a question, just wondering, likewise the very general remarks about belts (along with the closing disclaimer). If the air system is cheap, effective and reliable, you can't beat that, IMO, but look no further than, say, Walker for alternate takes. However, I did /do admit that I am generally suspicious of gigantic, complicated, super-expensive hi-fi gear in general, on the face of it, notwithstanding that this one appears to address the salient "issues" pretty squarely (for a change...), and I admit that I start out with this bias. To me, "built right" might mean it gets the job done, or it might simply mean "well put together". Where one stops on either count would tell a lot. I tend to favor a least approach, whatever that means, at least in theory, but if more isn't too much, it might still be enough.

My platter tests over the years consisted of listening with stethoscopes and using various "tools" to incite noise with a cartridge in play. Likely, more is more in the case of steel platters; many ring like bells; the same with aluminum. Anyway, you actually did quote me this time, vs "...your assumption that SOTA tables were all made from other materials..." before.

Point well taken about aesthetics in general, although I remain unsure whether this represents a least approach, ala Ockham's Razor. In other words, it isn't just a matter of "like" or "don't like" with respect to the aesthetics in my case but an open consideration, form vs. function vs cost vs price.

Best regards,
Paul S

The AF1 isn't anything like the Continuum tables and I can see where you're coming from regarding over engineering in their case. The review was spot on and the TechDas deserves all the superlatives bestowed upon it. In reality the AF1 like the Micro Seikis is really a floating platter and not a true air bearing, its almost as simple as it gets. As far as the price goes blame it on the weak dollar and costs of distribution, if we go by the Japanese retail pricing its actually one of the best bargains of high end audio.
I don't know what your scoping told you or which tables you tried, AF1 platter with its poron material is inert. 
In theory your least approach makes sense and I'm all for a minimalist approach but in practice it all depends on the design goals and the quality of the design engineer. You can't have a more "least approach" than a Rega and its a veritable piece of shit. Ockham's Razor cuts both ways, he also states " Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove correct, but—in the absence of certainty—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better." 
david

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