In his review of the Avid Diva II SP turntable (with SME 309 tonearm) Micahel Fremer wrote:
"While sprung 'tables do achieve excellent isolation from outside vibrations, I believe that once you set a platter spinning, no matter how carefully it's machined, it will cause the suspension to move. I much prefer the rock-solid performance of mass-loaded or elastomer-isolated 'tables like the Diva II SP, provided they're placed on a properly tuned isolation stand like the HRS SXR rack and M3 base-which is what I did.
This $6,000 combination was ridiculously good in every aspect of vinyl play."
The problem is that the combination can't fairly be said to cost $6,000. Setting aside the cost of the phono cartridge (Lyra Kleos at $2750) and phono preamp (unknown), the combination really costs more like $14,000. That is because the rack costs $6,000 and the base costs between $1,900 and $2,900, depending on its size.
The advantage of a sprung table presumably is that one does not need a super expensive rack and base for it.
On a different topic concerning the Analog Corner column this month, Ray Samuels seems to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory in his manufacturers comments. About the Ray Samuels Audio Emmeline F-117 The Nighthawk MM/MC Phone Stage, Michael Fremer wrote: "Its sound quality is about right for its price."
Samuels wrote that he was "shocked" by the review. He also wrote, "Sadly, the review of the F-117 phono stage by your reviewer was not in harmony with the rest of the writers, who truly enjoyed the Nighthawk and gave it the thumbs-up."
Anyone reading the Samuels comment would have thought that Fremer had insulted the phono stage, when in fact he gave it mild praise.
In his review of the Avid Diva II SP turntable (with SME 309 tonearm) Micahel Fremer wrote:
"While sprung 'tables do achieve excellent isolation from outside vibrations, I believe that once you set a platter spinning, no matter how carefully it's machined, it will cause the suspension to move. I much prefer the rock-solid performance of mass-loaded or elastomer-isolated 'tables like the Diva II SP, provided they're placed on a properly tuned isolation stand like the HRS SXR rack and M3 base-which is what I did.
This $6,000 combination was ridiculously good in every aspect of vinyl play."
The problem is that the combination can't fairly be said to cost $6,000. Setting aside the cost of the phono cartridge (Lyra Kleos at $2750) and phono preamp (unknown), the combination really costs more like $14,000. That is because the rack costs $6,000 and the base costs between $1,900 and $2,900, depending on its size.
The advantage of a sprung table presumably is that one does not need a super expensive rack and base for it.
On a different topic concerning the Analog Corner column this month, Ray Samuels seems to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory in his manufacturers comments. About the Ray Samuels Audio Emmeline F-117 The Nighthawk MM/MC Phone Stage, Michael Fremer wrote: "Its sound quality is about right for its price."
Samuels wrote that he was "shocked" by the review. He also wrote, "Sadly, the review of the F-117 phono stage by your reviewer was not in harmony with the rest of the writers, who truly enjoyed the Nighthawk and gave it the thumbs-up."
Anyone reading the Samuels comment would have thought that Fremer had insulted the phono stage, when in fact he gave it mild praise.