Hi Folks -
Not been on any audio forum since about 2005 or so, however I think I should probably write something about the GAE, (and maybe this is a good time to get back in).
For some context my other components are the following:
H/K Receiver
Jensen TF-3 Acoustic suspension loudspeakers w/Klipsch bookshelf running in parallel, (these have very equal "speed" of the TF-3s, so this works well.
Denon DL-110 in this setup
Also have used a 1200Mk2 in this setup for several years.
This is not your father's 1200. I have been a fan of Technics DDs for years and have owned several, including both a 1900 and 1600 from late 1970s. Forget everything you know about these TTs. This TT is really in a different league.
Many pro-belt drive folks have long argued that the DD "cogging" is problematic for any number of reasons. Rarely, have I read any good articulation of what the exact problem this causes, however. In my experience, the speed variations caused by AC motors that are responding to small frequency variations in the line have always caused more negative effects to the reproduction to the sound much more so than whatever minute harmonics that might be introduced by motor cogging. After hearing the GAE, I think I might just understand what the belt drive folks are talking about. Whatever engineering improvements Technics made to reduce or eliminate the cogging clearly has brought this turntable to a new level of performance. It is a serious audiophile table, well worth its 4k US price.
The detail and imaging are top notch. By comparison, my MK2 sounds dark, and I NEVER considered it such. Many records played sound as if I have not heard them before. Separation of instruments, vocal articulation, depth and width of soundstage, etc. are exceptional, and this is with the $300 DL-110. I cannot imagine how this table might sound with a serious LOMC. As much as I love the Denon, this cart even sounds completely different on this table as compared to the MK2, and in a good way. As for cartridge selection, you can pretty much run anything on this table, as the magnesium arm includes 2 additional counterweights that can be added for heavier carts.
I am only a few days into this evaluation, and will write more as time permits. So far, so VERY good. Technics got this one right.
Jason
Not been on any audio forum since about 2005 or so, however I think I should probably write something about the GAE, (and maybe this is a good time to get back in).
For some context my other components are the following:
H/K Receiver
Jensen TF-3 Acoustic suspension loudspeakers w/Klipsch bookshelf running in parallel, (these have very equal "speed" of the TF-3s, so this works well.
Denon DL-110 in this setup
Also have used a 1200Mk2 in this setup for several years.
This is not your father's 1200. I have been a fan of Technics DDs for years and have owned several, including both a 1900 and 1600 from late 1970s. Forget everything you know about these TTs. This TT is really in a different league.
Many pro-belt drive folks have long argued that the DD "cogging" is problematic for any number of reasons. Rarely, have I read any good articulation of what the exact problem this causes, however. In my experience, the speed variations caused by AC motors that are responding to small frequency variations in the line have always caused more negative effects to the reproduction to the sound much more so than whatever minute harmonics that might be introduced by motor cogging. After hearing the GAE, I think I might just understand what the belt drive folks are talking about. Whatever engineering improvements Technics made to reduce or eliminate the cogging clearly has brought this turntable to a new level of performance. It is a serious audiophile table, well worth its 4k US price.
The detail and imaging are top notch. By comparison, my MK2 sounds dark, and I NEVER considered it such. Many records played sound as if I have not heard them before. Separation of instruments, vocal articulation, depth and width of soundstage, etc. are exceptional, and this is with the $300 DL-110. I cannot imagine how this table might sound with a serious LOMC. As much as I love the Denon, this cart even sounds completely different on this table as compared to the MK2, and in a good way. As for cartridge selection, you can pretty much run anything on this table, as the magnesium arm includes 2 additional counterweights that can be added for heavier carts.
I am only a few days into this evaluation, and will write more as time permits. So far, so VERY good. Technics got this one right.
Jason