Enter The Raven The GT and 10.5


Jeffrey Catalano Importer, Distributor and Proprietor of High Water Sound arrived with the Raven in hand.
Jeffrey set the bird up so perfectly with what seemed to be minimal effort that I wondered why other dealers make a huge production over this service.Or maybe it isn't that easy and Jeff's expertise makes it seem so.

My Thought's and Observation's
In the forty plus years of being an enthusiast I've become jaded to all the hype and sometimes out right lies from so called industry insiders.So many times a model upgrade from MK1 to MK2 is not an upgrade at all (at least to these ears)
but others rave about the new model
So when I started thinking about a turntable and tonearm that would improve upon what I hear from my Kuzma Reference
and Basis Vector,I did my research and then called High Water Sound.Over the years I purchased several components
including my present speakers,cartridge's,cables and it was Jeffrey whom introduced me to the fantastic Tron Syren which I now own.I also knew that Jeffrey would not take me down the wrong path.He has always been open and honest and has even recommended products that he does not carry but would fit my needs.Now really, which dealer will do that for a customer ???
After doing my due diligence and listening it was decided that the Raven GT and 10.5 was the combo for me.
Now,we have all been to shows or to show rooms and listened to a component and thought "wow that sounds great" only to find when placed in your home system that it's not as great as you thought it was.So I was still a bit apprehensive.
All this passed very quickly as soon as the stylus was lowered to the Lp.After listening for about an hour VTA was adjusted and this Raven combo took further flight to another stratosphere.
The music was continuous,it flowed.The stage widened as well as deepened.The central performers took a step forward,dynamics were faster and base deeper.
Inner detail was not something you had to listen for,it was there easily heard.
My forty year old Lp's have become new again,my excitement is kin to when I first experienced this ever evolving hobby.
Last night,while listening with my wife and daughter (my biggest music critics) they asked why does this table and arm sound so much better then what I had.
I couldn't answer.But for the first time in a long time we three agree,it does sound MUCH better.
Jeffrey,we thank you.
goldeneraguy

Showing 13 responses by goldeneraguy

Moonglum,
I dont know where your located but you should make an effort to hear these tables.They are fairly expensive.
Best of luck
Actusreus, I believe today's MSRP for the standard Reference Stabi is $8900.
The GT is 10K'
Latinsamba1
Thank you.I've been thinking about for a long time and finally pulled the trigger.
Moonglum
Yes,that was the Stabi Reference.A wonderful table with the Kuzma Stogi or Basis Vector arm.But just not up to what the GT and 10.5 can do.(IMO)
Tdaudio, Actusreus, Pcosta.
Thank you.Associated components are:
The GT is perched on a SRA base
The 10.5 is used with a Winfield cartridge
Tron Syren Full Function Pre
Horning Aries 845G amps
Horning Aristotles Ultimate speakers
All Stealth cables.
I now just sit back and listen to music.
Moonglum I haven't heard of the Kuzma being out of production.
Being in the UK you should try to visit GT Audio to hear what the Raven can do.
Using Tron electronics,be prepared to have a jaw dropping experience.
Now that the holidays have past,the music is up and running again.The more I listen the more thrilled I become.
I do have a question in regard to a power cord for my TW GT.
In the past my turntable's always had a captive power cord.
That was on my arrard,Thorens,Mission,SOTA, VPI and Kuzma. The TW GT is cordless.I am presently using a generic PC that I had lying around.
All of my other components have upgraded Power Cords but I am going back and forth on a PC for the GT.
I see that member Himiguel uses a very high end $$$ PC
Do you guys use a stock PC or something else ??
Hi Whart,
I sold all of my extra High End cords.
I have Stealth PC's on all other components,plus everything is plugged into a regenerater.I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy one (but which)
I discussed this briefly with Jeff. He did state that better PC's make a difference even for turntables.At the time we thought it best to let everything break in prior to getting a new PC.
I posted hoping to hear what others have experienced.
If I get the urge ,I'll buy something Jeff carries after an audition.
Always great to hear from you.
Pierre Thank you for the info.
For some reason ,I can't understand why a power cord connected to a Motor Controller would have an effect on the sound of ones system.But I didn't think a fuse would make a difference either,until I tried HI-Fi Tuning Supreme's.
So I'll be looking into a better power cord and will report back
HiOpus, That's very surprising.Every upgraded power cord sounded better to me on all my components ,however I have always had captive cords for my turntables.
Like everything else in audio the simple thing to do is LISTEN AND THEN DECIDE