Does any Audiogon member have a Holbo air-bearing turntable?


I am fascinated by the Holbo air-bearing turntable with its linear tracking air-bearing arm and air bearing platter system.  I have not read an unfavourable review, and many reviewers recommend it as a reference-level turntable at an audio bargain price.

If you have one, what has your experience been like?  What country are you in?  Is yours the Mk1 or the Mk2?  What was the set-up experience like?  What cartridge(s) have you used, and what would you recommend?  How do you keep it clean?  Has it been reliable?

Looking forward to hearing real-life experiences!

richardbrand

I've been using a Mk2 for several months now and like it a lot. Very open, airy presentation. Bass is great too. 

What I didn't expect is how well Koetsus would like it. A 7g effective mass arm handling a Koetsu????

But both my retipped non-platinum Onyx and Blue Lace sound great on the Holbo, the latter a fair amount better, as one would expect. I've also run a Acutex 320 and Mutech Kanda on it briefly and both sound great.

In the same system I have a JVC TT-81 with FR-64S arm, and it does have a more meaty, juicy way w/the music. But is it better? I like them both a lot.

The set up is more tweaky than the JVC. Changing carts is a pain. And there' is a pile of white dust on the plinth where I end up with the CF brush. But I've got it covered with a cloth when not in use, so not an issue otherwise.

I've got it sited on a dining table next to the system and when the JVC was there, it would skip with footfalls. (Now it's on a wall shelf.) But thanks to the air bearing, I guess, the Holbo is not prone to skipping. unless I bump the table.

Overall, a nice addition to the system.

 What timing to see this thread.

I have been exchanging  email with the owner-Bostjan, I can have one arrive to my doorstep with all fees under $5900. He appears to be eager for more US Holbo believers.
I've got some mad money to indulge, so I've been thinking about doing something completely different for a recently acquired Lyra Delos on my tired VPI Classic.

"I've got it sited on a dining table next to the system and when the JVC was there"

Maxson- what are you using for a dustcover? Could you provide the general dimensions. I'm wondering if an off the shelf unit will work-something like what I have on my VPI?

For the cost and all I've read on the Holbo, it seems like a "reasonable price" to go for it on blind faith?

I'm using a piece of cloth to cover it. Dimensions are 16 by 17 by 7 inches high with the cueing lever up (arm lifted).

I got mine used, so can't comment on the price. I guess you could put together an ET2 plus table for less, but hardly a turnkey LT solution like the Holbo.

"I guess you could put together an ET2 plus table for less, but hardly a turnkey LT solution like the Holbo."

Yeah, there's plenty of options for what I could do, it's just one of something different that has my attention. The plug n play of the Holbo is very attractive, and the company seems ready to support even though they're not represented domestically.

Thanks for the dimension info. I'd probably reach out to one of the made to order companies here on Agon for a cover.