Re: Some responses (and a compliment)

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In Reply to: Some responses (and a compliment) posted by Auricle on September 21, 2002 at 03:31:10:

Thanks for the kind words. I have a very close friend who runs a current generation Oracle Delphi (mk V) with a Wilson-Benesch Act 1 arm and Benz Ruby II cartridge. I've heard it's evolution from an M0.9 cartridge, which is currently my "A" cartridge. Our systems are very similar, and we've swapped amps, preamps and cables back and forth, so I'm fairly confident in our shared observations about the two systems.
If pushed to purchase a current production compact sized 'table, the Oracle would be my first choice, especially given that Merrill is no longer doing his thing. Even if George were still making Heirlooms, I suspect that I'd opt for an Oracle, if only because the two are so similar and I love the Oracle's aesthetics. Additionally, the love I've developed for my trusty ET-2 in conjunction with the fact that the Oracle has stiffer springs would also weigh in favor of the Oracle.
I've been carrying on a conversation with a mechanical engineer who runs a Merrill with an ET-2 tonearm. He claims that he actually keeps it running! His turntable shelf is open at the bottom so that he can easily access the tuning weight which is used on this 'table to apply equal weight (compression) to each of the three suspension springs. I respect his tenacity. I have no doubts that he's getting good sound, and once you've heard zero tracing error it's hard to go back, even if your turntable architecture is not optimized for a moving piece of mass like that of an ET-2.
I remember hearing a popular big American turntable in the early 90's in an extremely competent system (SME V arm, Koetsu Rosewood Signature cart., Audible Illusions Mod 3a preamp, Musical Reference RM-9 / EL-34's, Pro-Ac Response 3 Signature speakers, cable to match). The system did nothing wrong, but at the same time, it had me yawning. Many systems with big decks have had this effect on me, and until I started up the Teres project with Chris Brady, I had absolutely no desire to trade in my Merrill Heirloom - the longest standing component I've ever had in my system (the Merrill displaced a SOTA / SME, which in turn had replaced an LP12 / Valhalla / Ittok).
Having said that, the types of things you'll notice by going from an Oracle to a big deck like a Redpoint, La Platine Verdier, Teres, etc. is a bigness to the sound along with a quieter background. This is not to be underestimated. These three decks will keep your interest as they navigate the record grooves in the way that a high powered European car (Bimmer, Ferrari, or Porsche) does. In keeping with this metaphor, I would liken many of the "yawner" big decks to an overpowered American car - big, powerful, but unable to deviate easily from a straight line.
Realize that the above distinctions are subtle and have much to do with personal taste. There are many who's opinions I respect who would disagree with me. If however, one likes what an Oracle does well - then one doesn't want to sacrifice its virtues in order to get more. As we put more pins on the map, it might be easier for you to hear our stuff. Currently, we have a small foothold in the Northeast, but you'll only be able to hear our entire platter line at either Peter's or my place. Did I mention the hideously expensive Teflon platter we're in the final stages of tuning? Sad to say, it's worth its price.
The Colorado Front Range is cooling off after a hot, dry Summer,. Due to the drought in the West, foliage will come and go in the blink of an eye (at it's best, you don't get the same colors that you do in New England and New York State). Scottsdale will cool down in November, for those of you like myself are averse to frying eggs on the hood of your car ;-)
Drop on by y'all.
Cheers,
Thom @ Redpoint

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Upgrade Oracle or Teres??? - Zach 17:31:05 09/20/02 (7)

Re: Upgrade Oracle or Teres??? - Rich Hollis 15:07:23 09/21/02 (0)

Re: Upgrade Oracle or Teres??? - reverendclark 08:59:48 09/21/02 (0)

Teres and the ET II arm - Mister Pig 08:01:34 09/21/02 (0)

Re: Upgrade Oracle or Teres??? - Auricle 18:42:33 09/20/02 (3)

Re: Upgrade Oracle or Teres??? - Zach 23:27:06 09/20/02 (2)

Some responses (and a compliment) - Auricle 03:31:10 09/21/02 (1)

Re: Some responses (and a compliment) - Redpoint_Numero_Uno 09/21/0211:13:19 09/21/02 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Some responses (and a compliment) - Redpoint_Numero_Uno 09/21/0211:13:19 09/21/02 (0)

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