Does Audio Technica have the means to make a TOTL Table?

Oddio again I disagree and I own a AT tonearm. ATs tonearms and cartridges are very good but Technics vintage TOTL EPA tonearms and EPC cartridges were in a higher class. I suspect that when the new SP-10R tonearm is introduced Technics will take another giant step forward. They havn't said anything yet but a line of cartridges could well be in the planning for a complete Technics system. To clarify ATs present tables can't compete with Technics tables from the 1970s and yes the AT-120 has ruined their reputation as far as turntables go.
 
Totem you might want to do further search re subcontracting the building of the TOTL tables

The subject of how the Japan market was "managed" is one of my interests historically speaking.

Can you point me to new information that you have come across?
 
totem: Are you already aware of that highly interesting thread over on TVK: http://www.thevintageknob.org/tvk_talk/viewtopic.php?f=566&t=2395?


And regarding the original topic: To me the question would rather be, whether it would be worth it for AT to make a high-end turntable - especially when that would seem likely to only have little trickle-down effect on their Hanpin-sourced offerings at best, which they would seem likely to make more money with anyway...


Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
totem: Are you already aware of that highly interesting thread over on TVK:

Yes lini I was following it from day one. It's been a subject that in the past drew contempt from certain brand followers
and I tried not to even bring it up.

That said my interest is when major brands subcontracted to other major brands which was done only
in the Japan culture/market. Typically on Tables and arms.

A couple of examples, Yamaha GT-2000 used Victor engineering personnel for their speed control circuits.
The only reason it became public was the actual engineer posted a blog on the subject in Japan.

Micro Seiki a Table and arm specialist, used another major brands motor in a mid level model where it made
sense. Not to mention all the rebranded Micro Seiki arms under several brand names.

All a part of the audio "Golden Years"
 
I think AT is already testing the waters, with the direct-drive AT-LP5. No, it's certainly not high-end, and at this point it is their TOTL non-DJ-style table. What surprises me is the lack of advertising for this model, and the number of people who seem to have never heard of it. Servo-control instead of quartz-locked, J-shaped tonearm, and a reasonably decent cartridge. My table is servo-control, it's stable enough for me. There have been some problems reported, but if they iron out the bugs quickly, and people actually start buying it, they might consider something more upscale. Maybe not high-end, but a table of similar build-quality to something like a Technics SL-16/17/1800 could be achieved fairly easily. IF they wanted to.

ETA: And IF they thought the market was there.
 
My biggest fear overall, and I do see this starting to happen, is with the vinyl craze and the market being flooded with craptastic, furrow-plowing vinyl wreckers that sound like crap, that the hype will quickly erode away and people will be left with a distaste for vinyl. I don't know that there's room in the market for any more decent turntables than there already are, especially when you consider the costs of tooling up for such a thing.

A couple years back when I was more active here, I recall finding a German manufacturer called ReLoop that had Hanpin-made offerings that they perhaps modified in some way or designed some circuitry for that claimed a wow and flutter rating that was actually decent. I don't recall anyone here ever actually auditioning or owning one, though. Maybe I should check back on that.
 
I took a quick look at the AT-LP5, best I could tell the tonearm didn't resemble any of ATs respected tonearm designs, if anything it appeared more like the tonearms on the AT SL-1200 knockoffs. As for the rest of it other than shedding its DJ skin the innards are probably the same as the 1200 knockoffs. The $500 price tag is likely the ceiling for a good number of AT buyers needs and budget.
 
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