Brinkmann vs TW Acustic


Was wondering how these two German manufacturers compare.
Bardo vs Raven One
Oasis vs Raven GT
LaGrange vs Raven AC
Is there a unique sound signature that goes up with the range? Which is a better value? (i.e. maybe the Oasis is better than the Raven AC)
Have heard both in show conditions, but could not pin-point their contribution to the end result as the rest of the system was unfamiliar as well.
iaxelrod
Moonglum (and Thuchan), I kind of regretted the acerbity of that post. What Thuchan proposed is not nearly as "sinful" as were the designs of the AR turntable and the early SOTAs (and maybe also the LP12; I wouldn't know). His set-up is not going to allow nearly as much relative motion between the motor pulley and the platter as did the two I cited. Further, I am sure he uses string or some other relatively non-elastic belt; the AR and the SOTA used elastic belts, making the problem worse.

I used to hang out at a dealership where the proprietor was fond of the Verdier. He used to mount the turntable and the motor about 4-5 feet apart, as was the custom. This meant that the two had to be on separate supports, using string drive. The shortcoming of that set-up for the Verdier would be that the table itself is mounted on "spongy" feet; as I recall it actually can rock a little if you push on the chassis. That would concern me, since the motor is immobile.
Dear Dctom: ++++ " Isolation is very important with TTs. " +++

agree, critical subject. We need " absolute " isolation/damp on TT/tonearm/cartridge combination. Seems to me that you are really near that " absolute " isolation/damping.

In other thread I posted:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I agree with you that if you already losed groove information you just can't recovery and then the main target down there is to recovery all the recorded information in the grooves and this can do it " only " by the cartridge and from here all what you want: from TT mat to tonearm board passing for different steps to damp everywhere the analog rig stopping that feedback Tonywinsc and you touched.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Btw, we need " absolute "/perfect isolation/damping at each step at each link in the whole system audio chain. As better damping as lower distortions we hear and as better quality performance level we can enjoy.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
Suteetat
CT0517, I only have one motor. It takes around 13-15s for the platter to come to a complete stop when I timed mine (Raven AC-1 with BN battery supply)

SunnyBoy1956
Ct0517
FWIW my TW AC with BN PSU and 3 motor unit takes 8 seconds for the platter to come to a complete halt after pressing the stop button and with the tone arm at rest

Downunder
Cto517 My Raven AC with 3 motors. Two at the side and one at the back takes 6.7 seconds to stop based on 4 samples.

Suteetat, SunnyBoy1956, Downunder - thanks for the “audiophile approved” data based on real experience. :^)

I will be implementing a battery system for my TT. So the discussions here regarding battery observations interested me.

Recognizing that each TT design is different in its execution when it uses ‘infinite’ power from the wall – different considerations come into play with a battery system. I wonder how much TT designers would alter their design if they knew a greater percentage of audiophiles were converting to battery.

So we powered up the TT’s then hit stop with no tonearm engaged and counted the seconds. I did this similarly with my tables.

Again purely from a platter system load observation - meaning (platter-spindle-thrust bearing-no bearing-type of lubrication and type of connection to the motor).

The one belt Raven AC-1 takes 13-15 seconds to stop.

The TW AC with BN PSU and 3 motor unit reduces this time to 8 seconds.

Raven AC with 3 motors. Two at the side and one at the back takes 6.7 seconds to stop based on 4 samples.

If the platter systems are similar above, the one motor setup would seem to put the lowest load on a battery setup.

An observation based on numbers here only. I would assume a two motor TW would fall in between the above numbers ?
So adding motors decreased the time the platter turns. Therefore would consume more energy from a battery if all others things are equal. Again sonic changes from adding motors aside; just looking at this from a battery perspective which has limited power.

Some more numbers for example.

These numbers could vary a bit either way depending on the room temp/humidity. No center weights used.

My DD takes approx 18 seconds to stop. This is tested by pulling out the power plug; as hitting the stop button –
stops it immediately. I haven't disengaged the brake.

My idler takes 25 seconds to stop.

My String drive – the one I will be putting a battery in for - takes 35 seconds to stop. It also is very precise and very close to the number each time. The others vary each time. This tells me it is a controlled system while the others are free wheeling.

My past belt drives put more load on the motor compared to the other drive types. I did not do this actual test with them; but I assume the times would be similar to the TW times.

Now the interesting part for me. If I cut the thread on the string it spins for much less time; natural braking action of the opposed magnets. If I removed the belts off my previous tables and spun the platter by hand they would spin for a really long time. The string drive design with the string attached - requires intermittent power jolts (a hobbyist observation) to work. I can in fact shut the power off and on while in play (fairly quickly) - the effect is not noticeable to the listener. This is totally opposite from my previous belt drives where the power needed to be constant. And people on here keep calling this string drive table a belt drive....

Battery System

I want a system that will have enough power; will be consistent – ensuring its part in keeping “power” stability, and to ensure it provides this power stability for a long time – for an audiophile. Long time is probably a different number in hours for each of us – same as music preferences.

I am assuming the belt drive TW battery system must be very robust as it has to deal with a belt and up to three motors. It must be quite elaborate as well if they recharge as the music is playing. I have not seen or heard them.

Just some thoughts.

Cheers

PS.

EBM - I am sure your system sounds great.

Chill out Dude!!!
Dev,

Can you tell me your opinions about the EA MM3s? I'm considering purchasing a pair in the used market, but still didn't find any...

Thanks.
I listened to the Brinkmann recently. I've started thinking about the Raven, so I thought why not revive this thread. I would consider the Raven GT, which I believe is priced in the same ballpark as a Spyder. This was certainly a long thread, but my guess is no one has done a fair comparison between TW and Brinkmann belt dive.
Don't know much about TW but there has been much posted regarding Brinkmann belt drive accuracy.