ELP Laser Turntable & Trickle Down

I guess I just don't get it... of course, I've never heard one so I may just be an idiot with an unfounded opinion.

Is record wear really that big of a concern anymore? I know I don't concern myself with it. Advances in stylus geometry have come a long way in the last 20 years. With a properly aligned micro-ridge stylus like the one on my Dynavector 20XL, I don't think about it a bit!

Another part of me, perhaps naively, sees this as too much a part of the digital realm... it's certainly not "pure analog" the ELP is pulling. If I want high-rez digital, there are other, cheaper options.

For $10k I can put together one hell of a proper traditional analog rig.

I stand corrected after some research - it is, indeed analog. I still don't get it though... and while I admit you CAN spend $10k+ on analog gear (hell, I could spend $100k... well, I couldn't, but you get my point) I still stand my original statement that $10k will by one hell of an analog rig.

Of course, Essentialaudio - that was exactly my point! If you've got a PROPERLY aligned modern stylus I don't see why anyone would be concerned a bit with worries of record-wear.

The complexity point you make is right on target and why I just don't understand why anyone would want to run one. Perhaps if I heard one in action I would "get it" - but as I stand if I were spending $10k on an analog setup, it would not be on my list.