• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Holy Grail Turntables

Odin-1_1920x1280.jpg Galder-1_1920x1280-1.jpg View attachment 2196670 View attachment 2196670 I always thought for a conventional belt driven TT with a pivoting arm the latest 30 series SME with the 10 inch arm would be my reference. For Something a little different the big Bergmann Straight line tracker with vacuum hold down for warped records would be a more economical choice. There is always the biggest baddest Clear Audio TT with that massive stand and the bridge over the top straight line tracking tone arm if money were no object. There is Michael Fremers favorite TT made in Scandinavia thats guaranteed to break the bank, too.
 
Last edited:
Pastor tube: While your tables probably aren't ultimates, they are very worthy. And I love the Mayware Formula IV - it may not be the holy grail, but it is a delight to use (though some people are creeped out by the tippiness when handling it). Not certain, though, that the Denon is an ideal match unless you have one of the later Maywares that have more substantial arm tubes.
The problem with holy grails is, as someone pointed out previously, it is always somehing that you don't have, so the quest (and the battering of your wallet) are endless. It takes discipline to simply enjoy the good things we already have, but that discipline is eased by the thought that, at some point, quite possibly something will fall in your lap - you'll come across something excellent and exciting at a tag sale or the dump.
I'd really love to find an ERA table with the virtual pivot tonearm, or a Transcriptors Transcriber. But I'd settle for the IMF turntable.
 
MRL_Audio said:
I find it amusing that people think their “grail” table is the one, or more, they own... doesn’t make a lot ot of sense to me. My “grail” table is always going to be the one I don’t have.
Click to expand...

Maybe not my "Holy Grail" but awfully close. I'm smitten by its looks. No, I don't have one.

a191a2_1e1ff868c38b4e15a7bea340ee67409d~mv2_d_4044_2256_s_2.webp
 
It would be helpful for folks like me , who are not familiar with each and every table out there, to post a Make and model number next to the pictures posted. (Unless that info is painfully obvious IN the picture itself)
 
The heart has its reasons. One person's holy grail may be the TOTL, most expensive, most ornate and overbuilt thing, but another's may be the rareist, or the oddest, or the most beautiful, or the most redolent of youthful desires. Almost any table can be held in high regard, and for a variety of reasons which may be opaque to others.
 
It is one of the real lookers, and it isn't just cosmetics - it's very well regarded. Apparently back in production(?).
 
I almost owned this Micro Seiki RX-1500FVG until I learned that the air pump was malfunctioning and being kicked against the wall, and the owner didn’t have the proper tools to disassemble.

2A48B682-8BEA-4185-ACF8-C5C1DE3067D7.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: T68
I own and cherish this Technics SP-10mk2 with a SME 312, and its close to vintage holy grail status. Other choices would be the Denon DN-308, DP-100, DP-80, Technics SP-10mk3, Sony PS-X9 and TTS-8000. I don’t plan on buying any of those at retail, so barring unforeseen grails dropping out of the sky, this 10mk2 and my 15 shall suffice!

4AFB8132-3A60-4B6E-AFCA-41CB0DD4549C.jpeg
 
Nat said:
Pastor tube: While your tables probably aren't ultimates, they are very worthy. And I love the Mayware Formula IV - it may not be the holy grail, but it is a delight to use (though some people are creeped out by the tippiness when handling it). Not certain, though, that the Denon is an ideal match unless you have one of the later Maywares that have more substantial arm tubes.
The problem with holy grails is, as someone pointed out previously, it is always somehing that you don't have, so the quest (and the battering of your wallet) are endless. It takes discipline to simply enjoy the good things we already have, but that discipline is eased by the thought that, at some point, quite possibly something will fall in your lap - you'll come across something excellent and exciting at a tag sale or the dump.
I'd really love to find an ERA table with the virtual pivot tonearm, or a Transcriptors Transcriber. But I'd settle for the IMF turntable.
Click to expand...

RE: Unipivot tonearms. There are audiophiles and music lovers who have motor (movement) issues and/or physical challenges (or even families who listen to the music). An example. I have severe spasticity from my Cerebral Palsy and spina bifida (mainly legs and athetoid/diskinetic). I own nice equipment and said uni-pivots and fixed tonearms without easy cartridge installation will not work for users with needs like my own and others who have different needs out of the normal audiophile's.
 
Vinyl David - that air pump isn't hard to repair, and it very likely is simply a cracked hose in the box. If memory serves the box is simply an aquarium pump and a glass jar that functions as a smoothing chamber for the vacuum.
 
MRL_Audio said:
I find it amusing that people think their “grail” table is the one, or more, they own... doesn’t make a lot ot of sense to me. My “grail” table is always going to be the one I don’t have.
Click to expand...

until you get it:biggrin:

Saw the Well Tempered Lab Turntable for the first time in the Sterophile review of 1985, immediately became my bucket list table. Im thinking holy grail and bucket list equate, so now 35yrs later I finally have one and it easily exceeded my expectations.

Holy Grail obtained.
20200927_164417.jpg
 
Last edited:
KentTeffeteller said:
RE: Unipivot tonearms. There are audiophiles and music lovers who have motor (movement) issues and/or physical challenges (or even families who listen to the music). An example. I have severe spasticity from my Cerebral Palsy and spina bifida (mainly legs and athetoid/diskinetic). I own nice equipment and said uni-pivots and fixed tonearms without easy cartridge installation will not work for users with needs like my own and others who have different needs out of the normal audiophile's.
Click to expand...

I like your posts! Keep doing that so I know you are still with us. Sincerely,

Eric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom