The Alphason Sonata used two motors, in the 1980’s, and also developed the excellent Atlas power supply before Linn did there psu upgrade, which may have been an Alphason copy.
See the two motors here, (not the Atlas psu in the corner, the Atlas was a “shoebox” size)
The problem with the Alphason design was the difficulty of attaching the belt as there is no sub-platter (less good sound with a sub-platter design).
Note the massive cast iron sub-chassis to support the bearing (superior to the various and so called keel designs of Linn), the right design for a high mass design in the first place, never needed to be “upgraded”.
And the suspension can be set up (once) without having to grope beneath or use a fancy jig.
Always loved the Alphason turntable since hearing one in a customers house in the 90s… Paired with an Audio Research pre and a pair of Denon POA 6600 monos into Kef Ref 107s.
The Alphason HR100S is such an elegant looking tonearm.
Your picture has reminded me that I have an Alphason Xenon HRS packed away somewhere that I should really do something with sometime. It’s not quite an HR100S, but very similar in look and character.
I might mention that Alphason are introducing a new arm, the HR-200S which uses advanced OCC wiring and a composite head shell which are said to deliver significient improvements. The arm looks identical with the elegant “S” curving shape, and the same titanium one piece construction, though it looks as though it has a bonded headshell. Blurb says improvements in wiring, bearings, connectors and headshell contribute to an improved sound.
Richard, I think that you need to engage a ‘SWAT Team’ (or similar) to go through your home to find how many items of hifi equipment are stashed away in hidden places.
You could probably open a small museum with all that is found, which would keep you nicely in beer money - or would that be some classy bottles of red wine?
Just arrived and installed the new Avid Nexus tonearm. They have just started shipping this week. Looking lovely on my Acutus, replacing the SME IV. Initial impression are that it sounds much more organic and there is tremendous synergy with the Acutus and Dynavector cartridge. Great soundstage and fantastic detail.
@conlegno The EAR is a fantastic phonostage. I’ve owned it longer than any other piece of gear. Close to 18 years. I have the older Black model with a volume control and MM/MC capable. I have upgraded to Telefunken tubes. My older model uses 12AX7 tubes. I think that’s an upgrade option on the new phonobox.
I will say, the MC stepup transformer in the 834P Deluxe is fairly average (lacking?) and if you can buy a cheaper model with MM only and get a dedicated SUT you’ll be happy with that choice. I have a Bob’s Devices Blue SKY 1:20 SUT (no longer made).
I like having the volume control, but many people have wired up a bypass to avoid it. The EAR is one of those devices that people fiddle with and upgrade caps, etc to take it even higher.
Two years ago I decided to “replace” it and bought a PS Audio Stellar Phono. Wisely, I hung on to the EAR for 2-years and decided the PS Audio gear was very good, just not better or as enjoyable. So, out the door it went.
I’ve had LOTs of Rega TTs. A P3, two P25s, a modified P2 and a P6 before getting the P8 ~ 4 years ago. Between the P6 and the P8 I owned a VPI Classic I for 10 years and before that a VPI HW19 MKIII. Along the way I also had a Technics SL1200 and Linn LP12. Oh… and 50-ish years ago a Thorens TD165C.
The Rega P8 with a good cartridge is a fine thing to listen to music on.
If you think there are people who have cloth ears, you should probably talk to someone…But you’re probably just an ordinary Lp12 owner who can’t stand a joke without being insulted as usual…
I’m not. Just pointing out there are people out there with actual cloth ears and maybe in this day and age we ought to be sensitive to that. Some are curmudgeons, some are frogs, some are pigs, some are Swedish chefs. We can’t marginalise them
Just having fun. Because the term “cloth ears” is used so much on here. While I have great respect for the LP12 having been exposed to it so much, the Linn decks never appealed to me on multiple levels. That said, if someone asked me, “what’s a great turntable?” I’d probably say LP12 first before anything else, my own preferences not withstanding.
It’s unquestionably a superb deck. But the Swedish Chef and myself like to cook with other tools.