Acoustic Signature turntables

Thanks for the comments everyone!

I do have a chance to listen Acoustic Signature and will be doing this tomorrow (either Hurricane or Tornado). Always a leap of faith, though as the tables are in a different system than mine. That is why I am focused on design, reliability, stability of the company, etc…lots to consider.

I will also be listening to a system with a Kuzma Stabi R. What is so confounding are, in some cases, the diametrically opposed design principles. Some examples would be AC (Acoustic Signature) vs DC (Kuzma) motors, standard (Acoustic Signature) vs inverted bearings (Kuzma), multiple vs single motors, etc…. Much more has been written online about Kuzma vs Acoustic Signature.

I guess I should also consider Technics SP10 system. I am not attracted to huge wooden plinths or huge plinths in general and so won’t be going that direction.

Bob Graham is near me (TechDas) but not sure how I feel about air compressors and such and don’t know much about their tables either and where to see in person. I do really love the diminutive size of the TechDas V, which may be an option at the limit for me or perhaps even beyond my limit or needs.

Thank you all for your comments.  

@rsf507 , I finally saw two Acoustic Signature models today and listened to a system with one playing.  Quite interesting to see in person.  Beautiful, impressive tables.  Lots to like.

@lewm , thought you would recommend the Technics. ;-).  I don’t participate in the many threads here on turntable design but I have read most.  In a situation where I may finally take step forward and spend some money, I find myself increasingly interested in the different design philosophies and find it fascinating engineers follow such diametrically opposed principles.  

@rauliruegas ,  your Acoustic Signature table is still going strong, no?  yes, I have been at this a while and I am no “spring chicken”.  I unfortunately did not spend much time with the Technics.  I was too involved and happy with my Lenco at the time.  I am worried the AS would sound as if lacking in “drive”.  I am going to see a Kuzma Stabi R this weekend…much more torque but with these heavy platters does it really make a difference?

@mijostyn , thanks for your comments

Multiple motors are indeed a major concern with the AS tables although possibly better for bearing life as the pull on the bearing is minimized.

For magnetic bearings, do they have any possibility of changing over time? I do not want to be in a situation in the future of managing the height of the motor spindle to a bearing/subplatter/platter that has changed in height. I also do not like the idea of managing air bearings over time.

I thought the main reason for a heavy platter was inertia and would also be the same reason to take longer to get up to speed. My concerns here about high mass tables are about overdamping and a less than exciting sound. The two AS tables took about 35 seconds to get up to speed. Kuzma says 2 seconds for the Stabi R. I would guess torque is a factor and higher in the Kuzma tables (?).

I eliminated suspension for the typical reasons…the movement/swaying and changes in position over time and/or realignments needed. SOTA was eliminated because I cannot see one in person…no dealers in all of New England, sadly. That is an absolute must…I have to see some examples from the brand in person. Clearaudio was eliminated because concern about magnetic bearing and stability. TechDas seems to have been eliminated as perhaps out of my price range, air bearings, and other factors. I may be completely wrong in this way of thinking and not saying these tables are flawed in any way.  I don’t know and part of the real why I started this thread.

In my case, I wouldn’t call this a macho, male thing but would admit there is a pride of ownership or objet d’art aspect to this. Although many people wouldn’t find anything artistic about these devices…

Btw, I also eliminated non suspended tables that do not have the motor, bearing/platter, and arm on the same plane or, at least I think I have. ;-)

@rsf507 , I demoed two tables (Kuzma Stabi R and Acoustic Signature Tornado).  Quite hard to say anything relevant about the demos as I was completely unfamiliar  with both systems.  I did not hear any “red flags”.  Surface build quality on both tables fantastic with Acoustic Signature surface build quality being massively impressive.

@all, I am not worried about Acoustic Signature.  If I had a problem with the AS, I would have my wife talk to Herr und Frau Froenhoefer as she is a native of Germany.  However, they may find her Cologne accent more peculiar than mine.   ;-)

I found this video with Mr. Kuzma quite interesting…particularly the part where he talks about motors, torque, and platter run down time.