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New Turntable: Teres, Nottingham, Origin?

I've been leaning 3 different ways, if not more, in my quest to upgrade my analogue front end. I've read many threads here and searched out reviews, and I've narrowed it down to these 3--I think: the Teres 245 (or 255), the Nottingham Spacedeck, or the Origin Live Resolution. I would probably stay with the space arm for the Spacedeck, and the Origin Live or Encounter tonearm for the Teres and Origin. I'd love to mount the Shelter 501 as the cartridge, but I don't have the output on my phono stage (the Audion Premier).

Currently I have the MMF7 TT, which was by initial step back into vinyl. Although it was great for several months, and some records sound better than I've ever heard them, I can't help thinking about what I'm still missing. I know there are a lot of Teres fans out there, and I've really enjoyed following your passionate support for the TT. So please continue; I'd like to hear from you as well as anyone who has any advice, comments, suggestions to help me decide. How do the Origin Live and Spacedeck supporters feel?

I have a pretty good system, with Audio Note Quest Silver monoblocs, AN M2 Signature Pre, Zingali Overture 4 speakers, and Audion Premier Phono Stage.

Thanks, Bill
audiobilltubes

Showing 3 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
FWIW, somewhere in the archives there's a discussion of a dealer-hosted TT shootout. This was two years ago or so. The dealer moved the same arm/cartridge (OL Illustrious + Shelter?) from table to table. A dozen or so listeners agreed to the following results:

1st/2nd: tie between Nott' Hyperspace/Teres 255
3rd: Nott' Spacedeck
4th: Basis (lower priced model than Spacedeck, so no surprise)
5th: Clearaudio (similar priced model to Basis)

Both then and now the 255 was priced $1,000 below the Hyperspace, making it a clear winner for price/performance.

I'm sure the OL's are nice tables, but the Resolution's plinth, armboard and platter make it unlikely that it would keep up with any Teres model. I'd also expect Raul's favorite, the Acoustic Signature Final Tool, to outplay it. Teres gave up on their all-acrylic line quite a while ago. The sonics simply didn't justify the price point. Even the 245's unweighted platter masses nearly as much as the entire OL table. IMO there's just not enough there there.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
4yanx,
Thanks for clarifying. Excellent points all the way through, as usual. I'd forgotten that the Spacedeck came so close to the top two. Value for $ indeed.

One wonders how a Teres 160 would compare. CB himself says it outplays the 245, which makes perfect sense. Lead shot in the platter *should* sink resonances better than heavier hardwood in the plinth.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Since there seem to be so many different things to "play around with--or tweak" with the Teres, I can see myself obsessing about whether everything is set up "correctly" or the best it can be. The whole point, for me, is to forget about listening to the equipment, and simply listen to the music.
Bill,
I'm confused by this. What is there to play around with or tweak on a Teres? There are literally zero adjustments on mine. I go for weeks without tweaking anything but the on/off button! You don't even have to adjust speed, the Teres motor controller does that for you. Setup could be done by any concientious twelve year old who can read and follow instructions. Those are posted on the Teres website BTW. Give them a read, they may calm your concerns.

Much the same is undoubtedly true of the Final Tool, a Galibier or most other high-mass, unsuspended designs. "Set and forget" is truly how these tables work. Suspended decks like those from OL will necessarily require somewhat more attention.

Also, I've never read any specific comments on the two main wood choices for the Teres--Rosewood or Cocobolo. Is the latter really better for sound than the former?
Chris Brady describes the sound of the different woods on the website.

Doug
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