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

@frazeur1 

I have not listened to a Mk2, so no idea if there are any real sonic benefits over the Mk1

Thanks Tim

From what I have read, the big difference between the Mk1 and the Mk2 is that the Mk2 has a single box to house the power supply and the air pump, making it easier to house them and synchronise switch on.  The Mk1 has separate boxes for the power supply and the air pump.

Nothing I have read suggests that these changes make a difference to the sound signature of the turntable system.

Given a constant supply of clean air and a 12-Volt power supply, the design of the table itself looks hard to improve.  The Japanese DC motor is very close to the platter rim so there is only a small amount of drive belt that is not tightly controlled.

I assume that the platter air bearing surface is the large stainless-steel ring and that air bleeds at the periphery to provide horizontal positioning for the platter, with an air gap around 10 microns wide.  In other words, the only spindle is there to hold a record and a puck.

The bearing for the arm seems equally simple in principle, giving frictionless movement up and down and sideways at the stylus tip, while keeping the cartridge firmly square and at the right distance.  All this with no mechanical connection except a very thin layer of air.

Given the air separation between the plinth and both the platter and the arm, mounting the relatively small motor to that relatively big slab of MDF would seem a good way to reduce any motor vibrations

@richardbrand A fine summation of the differences between the Mk1 and Mk2 tables! There might also be some finer tweaks in there as well, I do not know. I think the move to one box power supply, pump and controls, just makes things a lot tidier, and Los makes using the table more no brainer. My Mk1, you have to remember to physically turn on the platter/arm bearing pump before you start the platter up. It really is no big thing, you get used to that, and it is a simple sequence anyway. The Mk2 just does it all for you, no fuss. 
 

The Holbo is just a fairly simple, good looking table that sounds great, and can accommodate quite a few different cartridges. I have used Dynavector, Van den hul, Denon, and my cheapie Nagaoka. All have worked very well. 
 

I can whole heartedly recommend this table if one is in that price point, maybe even a bit higher one as well. Great table! Bostjan too, has always been responsive to any question that I have had since owning it. Hopefully those of you thinking of one, might be able to give it a chance. 

I should comment that I really do like the looks of this table, most linear tracking, air bearing units look like oil rigs. The Holbo has an elegantly simple design. The only other table that I liked was the Bergmann, but it is at a quite higher price point. Is it that much better, no idea. FWIW….

"Freight of a Holbo cover to Australia is very expensive "

Perhaps Bostjan is offering an "all in price" like he's doing for the U.S?

Send an email, they reply.

@tablejockey 

I have already emailed Holbo - that's how I know the dust cover including freight is very expensive in Australia!

Yes, Holbo does have an "all in one" price for Australia but it does not include the cover.  Holbo uses a premium carrier service and the freight cost is a killer.

Maybe if Holbo redesigned their packaging to include the dust cover, the incremental shipping cost would be minimal.  Anyway, it is not a deal-breaker for me ... as long as I can keep the deck safe from marauding possums ...