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High mass vs Low Mass Turntables - Sound difference?

As I am recently back playing with analog gear after some 15 years away, I thought I would ask the long time experts here about the two major camps of record players -- high vs low mass-loaded-type tables...

For example, an equivalently priced VPI table (say a Classic, Aries or Prime) versus a Rega RP8/10 or equivalent Funk Firm table...  the design philosophies are so different ... one built like a tank, the other like a lightweight sports car...

Just wondering if the folks here have had direct experience with such or similar tables, and what have been your experiences and sense of strengths and weaknesses of these two different types of tables.



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Showing 3 responses by pryso

pryso
1,903 posts
 
Corvette vs Lotus?

Both win races but driving them is a hugely different experience.  I think it comes down to personal preferences.

I don't believe there are "absolutes" in the audio hobby.
pryso
1,903 posts
 
Long ago I owned a WTTT and arm.  To my dismay I found if I checked the tracking force, returned the arm to its rest, then moved it back to the scale I would not get the same VTF two times in succession.  That was with the factory supplied silicone in the cup.
pryso
1,903 posts
 
Lew and harold,

I remember that ET arms were popular on Oracle tables but I never understood why?  I owned an Oracle for awhile and found it to be EXTREMELY sensitive to balance.  Mine had a sort of counterweight balance under the platter but I still had problems, even with a conventional pivoted arm (SAEC).  Maybe later versions of the table remedied that?
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