seeking turntable recommendations

For a little bit more money, you can get the Well Tempered Amadeus. SOTA performance for such a measly sum. I own one and I cannot be happier! Bill Firebaugh is a genius! The Amadeus is special because it virtually emilinates the single most significant problem turntable designers have to tackle: friction! Most turntables, no matter how fancy and complex, have bearings and other friction-prone materials in their spindles and tonearms. The Well-Tempered has none! Once you've heard this "frictionless" performance, other TT's sound murky and opaque by comparison and there's no going back! Before you splurge, I urge you to find a dealer and listen to one. Happy holidays!

In my haste and excitement to share my audio bliss, I forgot to mention the other problems that the Amadeus also solves with its unique design. In addition to friction, it also eliminates bearing chatter and other microscopic mechanical vibrations common to conventional spindle and tonearm designs. 4musica, what cartridge are you using? I'm very happy with my Shelter 7000. Transient attacks are explosive and the mids are glorious! I hope other Amadeus owners would chime in. Happy holidays!

Hi Lewn,

The tonearm has no bearings, it uses a suspended "golf ball" that floats in a cup of silicon gel! Check out their website if you have some spare time. Some pretty interesting reading.

4musica - Wow... great system! I've heard and read some great things about the PH7. You have 4 TT setups?! You're a lucky man! May we know what the best sounding setup is? Peace on earth!

4musica - Again double wow! Thank you for responding and sharing. You have absolutely top-notched gear! I am green with envy, he-he! Hopefully in a few more years, I too would be able to put together my dream system. Best wishes!