Brinkman Balance Comparisons


For those who have the Brinkman or compared it to others please chime in. How does it compare to the Avid, TW Raven AC and SME 30? I heard the Raven AC has been compared to the Brinkman in Germany extensively. any thoughts? Also, how critical is a good support stand to achieve it's perfromance?

Thanks for your help,

Andrew
aoliviero

Showing 24 responses by rwd

Well...just an update.......my T.W. Raven/Tri-Planer/Dynavector VS1 is going to be installed today. I will keep you all posted as to the outcome!

Rick (RWD)
Dear David, sorry for the long delay on the response.....two weeks ago I lost my cantilever and stylus (the cleaning lady???) and so I have been without the TT and the ability to comment to you or anyone else. Once I get my cartridge back I will give an update.

P.S. I also just received the Millennium weight but had not the chance to try it out yet.

Rick (RWD)
Hi Steve, Andrew and gang!

Steve, what a thoughtful and complete description you gave. I always learn a bit more when we talk. I am also in the search for a new TT and tonearm (remember the Tri-Planer) and would love to ask you (Steve/Andrew) you thoughts about the Galibria line. I am interested in the Glavia and heard it at someone's home. However, you can never really tell how good the piece of equipment you are auditioning when the system you hear it on is totally new to you and your ears!!!
That said, Steve/Andrew....any comments about the Glavia? I believe it is quite good (Dan chime in) and with a good arm (Tri-Planer/Graham/Schroder) it will keep me happy for many years. The only problem is that the unit is produced in Colorado and the set-up would be done by someone associated with the table here in NYC. I am an "all thumbs" person and require assistance in with arm/table set up.
That said......I also was interested in the idle wheel TT but they are so difficult to find to listen to.

Anyway......any thoughts/comments?

P.S. Andrew I always love your topics !

RWD (Rick)
Thanks Evan! I called a few weeks ago. Never heard form them? I guess they are just starting to set up?
I just looked at (and listened to) the TW Raven AC yesterday. Boy...it is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!!!
A small footprint and it does not take up too much real estate, simple to use and set up (I am not too sure why it's so expensive...guess it's the material?), and although it has a DC motor it uses a filter or controller plugged into your wall so not batteries!!

The sound? Well this is where it is difficult to evaluate.
I was listening to different speakers, per-amp, amp, cartridge, arm etc....and I felt the sound was clear, clean and a bit (and I mean bit) too heavy on the bottom.
Not too sure where that was coming from. However, compared to my ARIES/10.5 arm I have to believe this is a winning table (along with the Glaibier-Glavia).
Oh, the decisions......!!!!!!!!!
Dgad...thanks for the comments. As I said to Jeff when I was with him at the audition I suspected the pronounced bass was probably from some other source in the system.
Your comment about the bass has eased my mind.
I received a note back form Jeff suggesting a revisit and listen to the table again...he was a gracious host!

He also explained to me....once again, the reason for the cost due to some exotic materials. The table (as I said before) is a winner!

Dagd...what were you listening to before the Raven? What arm/cartridge did you wind up with?

Finally, I suspect I may wait till May and HOPE the Raven along with the Galiberia-Glavia are both at the Stepeophile show for me to see/listen to and then make a decision. Although I am an impetuous kind of guy and I could be persuaded to purchase something sooner?

I am leaning toward this: Raven or Glavia as a table, the arm...a Tri-Planer or Graham and the cartridge a Dynavector XV-1.
Comments anyone???
Thanks Dgad! I have a Rhae phono stage and it has the ability to select a laod for the cartridge. I garee it is very helpful!!!
Andrew, it was my pleasure having you over this past Monday. Please feel free to stop by again (and anyone else in the tri-satte area) for some music, good chat and some fine espresso!!! Let's try to get a group together for the May stereophile show???

RWD (Rick)
Raul said: Any serious TT comparison is valid only if take place in the same audio system/room with the same tonearm/cartridge/phonolinepream/cartridge set-up. Now I agree but HOW do you do that?????? It's almost impossible to go to some audio store and start to compare the Galibrier/Raven/Teres/SME/VPI etc with the Tri-Planer/Schroder/Luster/Graham/Dynavector with a ZYX/Orpheus/Dynavector etc.......so, so many choices.
Gdastone is right .......tables and arms have been improving year by year. This is what is so frustrating to me ....it is just not an easy choice. Then again, it really is!
What I include in my decision to buy is the following: why do I want to upgrade....:.is there somthing wrong with what I have OR is the new unit better?: Is the new unit better in areas I need and want (and like)?: has it been blessed and given an approval nod by you (the group here on audiogon)?: is it reasonably priced?: Is the dealer/manufacturer a person I want to deal with (important)?: What is the availability of the unit (a problem with Schroder for now)?: will I get the necessary service?:
All of these are important in my search but I do feel that a: Teres with a Graham Phantom and ZYX or a VPI HRX with a Tri-Planer and Orpheus would make me happy........

P.S. The units I mentioned above are just some of the candidates. I am also looking at the Raven AC, Galibrier, Schroder, etc.....

Rick (RWD)
Raul..well said. You are correct. I must assume that my final cartridge decision will be one of these: Dynavector XV1-S, ZYX-3 or Uni. With that said, I believe the Tri-Planer, Phantom will do well to carry these cartridges (agree)? Then, the TT....and I believe a Raven, Glavia, Teres 320 will all do well to complete the unit.
My Aries/10.5 unit is good....quit good. However, I just have to believe the upgrade of a newer table and arm and cartridge (Helikon now) will be a move up for my system.
Thanks again, Raul for your quick and thoughtful comments.
Hi Richard....Yes I have. However, my Helikon is quit good but I'd like a bit more warmth and roundness. Now, here come the part that I get so frustrated about. I have heard the titan in another system BUT it was another system and not mine. Therefore, what I was istening to was quit good BUT on someone elses system. I guess what I am saying is I am ready for a change.
As to price...I may be wrong but I believe cartridges have a very high mark up. I believe I can get a good price on any cartridge with a complete system (TT/arm/etc).

But Thanks for your commets and suggestions.....you are always helpful!
P.S. Anyone have a copy or link to the stereophile Michael Fermer review of the TW Raven AC?
Hi all....you are all welcomed to my home once I get this rig up and running (or before?). Andrew has been here already. We can make some Italian pasta before we listen. Mark (Sirspeedy) you are close by so please come by. Larry (Cello) when I get the Schroder Ref I WILL lean on you for advice and counsel.

Mark....I'm keeping the Breitling...heheheh!
Well, the system (T.W. Raven/Tri-Planer Vll/Dynavector X1S) has been installed and I have been listening (4 hours yesterday and 3 hours so far today). I can just comment on something that Albert Porter said (as a mater of fact in this post)......truth is the high end turntable market has pushed technology to places I never thought it would go.

To get to the bottom line..this analog system has made the biggest difference to my system since I upgraded my Infinity 4.5's to my current RS 1-B's.

I will not go into detail about the increase in bass (it's there), the introduction of space/air/darkness (in spades), sense of easiness. What this system is doing for me is simple.......enabling me to enjoy music more!!

The unfortunate thing is that since I did this upgrade of the entire system (table/arm/cartridge) I cannot identify which one was the most significant? But, you know what.....I don't care. It has satisfied my needs!

I'd be happy to answer any an all questions.

P.S. Again a thank yo to all who helped me in this search.

Rick (RWD)
Interesting you should say that? I had a pleasant visit last week form Andrew (our author of this thread) and he listened to my system. He liked what he heard! I commented to him not to expect thunderous earth shaking bass coming form the woofer towers...that is not what you hear from a live symphonic concert. He commented that the bass was very tight and detailed. So I guess I'm on the right track... but to comment the woofers are not as fast as the EMIM's or EMIT's but do well to portrait a close similarity of the symphony at a concert hall
No...is that difficult to do? Can you come over and do it for me....all thumbs...ha!!!! :)

Does it make a big difference? I bet it does...hummm?
I thought I would update everyone on my decision on a turntable/arm/cartridge.

I finally decided to purchase a TW Raven AC table. I love it!!! The arm will be a Tri-Planer Vlll and the cartridge will be the Dynavector XV-1S. I purchased it from Jeff at High Water Sound. A right on person with extreme knowledge and a fierce love of music. The table will be in my system by the end of Fed beginning of March

This has been a very difficult decision to make and it involved a great deal of investigation, reading, listening and gobs of faith. When it all come down to it, the other choices that I had in mind Galibier Glavia, VPI, Teres, Schroder (I WILL ORDER ONE-Mark) Phantom, ZYX Univ, Titan are all superb and deserve out attention and applause. However, I was most impressed by the Ravens rock solid motor, design-build and simplicity. The Tri-Planer is easy to use and will be the champ until I get a Schroder and listen to it as well. As to the Dynavector, I heard it at a cartridge shoot out (no the Univ was not there) and it simply sounded more natural.

Finally I'd like to say my Aries has served me well. It will serve the new owner just as well, I am sure. VPI products are well made, ingenious and cost sensitive. Harry Weisfeld's products should always get out attention. In addition I wish to say "thank you" to you all for your comments, suggestions, guidance, candor and friendship. I will continue to count on you!

Thank you, Darkmobis, Nsgarch (Neil). ejaynycrrcom (Evan), Gladstone, Richardmr (Richard), Cjfrbw, Raul, Albertporter (Albert), Thomasheisig (Thomas), Dgad, and especially Cello (Larry), Dan ed (Dan), Dougdecon (Doug), Sirspeedy70680@ (Mark) and......Aoliviero (Andrew). Also, Thom Markris of Galibier. Thom, your product is top notch and was the number one contender. Location and some minor other items lead me to my decision for the Raven.

Again, thanks all......and stay tuned for my next questions!

Rick (RWD)
...and I knew I would forget someone...Thank you Steve (vetterone) and anyone else I may have missed.

Rick
I can't really remember the other three but the top two were dynavector XX-2 and the XV-1 (prior to the 1S.
Audiolazer..keep me posted. You will get your sooner then mine. The we can compare notes (like record mats and record weights) with other Raven owners and other vinyl lovers!

Rick (RWD)
Note the platter, is a compound design of a special polymer and the top part made of copper. This is from the web sit. However this is platter of the Raven AC. I am not sure about the Raven one.
Perhaps High Water (the distributor) can help you out?

I wish you good luck.

P.S. If the One is half as good as the AC you'll be in music haven!!!!

It is very heavy.
Hi Mark!!! I must believe it was the cleaning lady and since I do not have a dust cover and don't put the protective cover back on the Dynavector (I think doing this is risky) there it was ready to get hit!!! I have to wait 3-4 weeks...what a drag!
Hey, are you making the Stereophile show May 11-13??
Hi Audioblazer...
what power cord are you talking about? The one for the motor?? My AC Raven came with it? As to a record clap I have a millennium....however I have not used it yet as I am stll waiting (ugh) for my Dynavector XV-1S to be returned for Dyna after my stylus got detached by (I believe the cleaning lady). So I really can't comment on that. Enjoy your Raven...it really is sweet.
What arm/cartridge are you using?
By the way (and I don't wnat to steal for another thread) anyone going to the Hi-Fi NYC Show??

Rick (RWD)