ELP Laser Turntable & Trickle Down


ELP LASER TURNTABLE as most vinyl fans know is a turntable that uses a laser instead of a more conventional stylus. I read reviews on the audio critic site and out of the two reviewers the one who had a very high end table and arm combo,chose the ELP laser table this conventional combo. I am wondering why this technology has not trickled down the way Cd has with companies paving the way for cheaper machines and improving over time while becoming cheaper as the technology matures?
schipo

Showing 5 responses by tbg

Several CESs ago, I heard a demonstration of the Elp versus master tapes and another quality tt. They had bought a quality tape and made a record of it and had several copies. We compared the master tape, the record on the Elp and on another tt. The Elp was clearly superior to the other table, which unfortunately I cannot name. Interestingly many thought the Elp was superior to the master tape.

About that time there were several reviews of the laser table which were curious, most were impressed but reserved. I explored buying one and found several for sale. In conversations with those selling, they too liked the table but were reserved.

Frankly I cannot decide what is going on. Does the Laser show the limitations of vinyl by being too accurate? Is there something about it that grows tiring? When I heard the first prototype probably 25 years ago when CES was still in Chicago, I was shocked by it- until it hit some dirt in the grooves. I thought if they could solve this problem, there would be no other tt sold. They seem to have largely solved this problem by thorough cleaning, but still it has not taken over. Perhaps it is just too accurate.

Vanmeter suggests that music preferences and the nature of how these records are done might make accuracy a liability. I wonder if anyone into classical music has an Elp.
Vanmeter, I assume you are talking about the demo at CES. It was classical.
Vinyladdict, The ELP is not digital. It is analog. The issue is not record where, although you can read lower in the groove to avoid damage previously caused by styli. The issue is the laser having no mass and tracing the groove accurately.

Also, you must not have priced turntables, arms, and cartridges lately.
Vinyladdict, I think this is an entirely different issue. Of course, you can get a great tt, arm, and cartridge for $10K but the ELP is not outrageously expensive. I do have a Shindo Labs vinyl system that costs a good deal more and have had the chance to buy an ELP at a very good price but still couldn't pull the trigger. I know too many who have had them in their systems and still listen to other tts.

Actually, I wonder if ELP were redesigned to be digital, would it perform better. I doubt if we will ever find out.
I must say Acresverde, that I have never heard any rolled off treble with the ELP. I must say, however, that I know the circumstances surrounding the concerns of SMART. I suspect that the waters are now so tainted that no one will be the US distributor. The company now seems happy to sell directly.