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

@tablejockey 

That VPI finger lift looks almost exactly like the one on my SME non-detachable head shell.  SME designed their head shell so the finger lift is between the shell and the cartridge - only the finger part is visible.

I probably also have a spare that came with an Audio Technica VM540ML cartridge which was delivered with a detachable head shell I cannot use on my current turntable.

Looks like it would fit on top of the Holbo mounting.

While we are discussing that part of the cartridge / tonearm interface, I notice that Funk Firm has the Houdini decoupler for AUD-600.  Outside my current budget and it seems stupid to invent tweaks for something I have not got!

Also outside my current budget is SME's offer of a 'new' Garrard 301 which seems to be many multiples of Holbo's price.

The only slightly negative comment I've seen in a Holbo review is that it does not quite have the 'drive' of the Garrard 301.  Mine is almost 70 years old and still going strong ... and reputedly worth almost as much as a new Holbo.

I thought I'd see if Stereophile or The Absolute Sound has reviewed the Holbo.  Many years ago, I used to trust these magazines almost as much as the Gramophone.

Now here's what AI came up with:

"There is no review of the Holbo Airbearing Turntable on Stereophile or The Absolute Sound (TAS), but several other high-end audio publications have reviewed it. Reviewers from outlets like SoundStage! Australia, StereoNET International, and Mono & Stereo praised the Holbo's air bearing tonearm for its virtually frictionless operation, which is central to its claimed superiority in achieving precise groove tracking and a highly defined, spacious soundstage. 

Key Features and Performance Highlights

• Air Bearing Technology: The defining feature of the Holbo is its air bearing system, which allows the tonearm to glide on a cushion of air, minimizing friction, stiction, and geometric errors.
• Linear Tracking: The integrated tangential/linear tracking tonearm replicates the vinyl cutting process, allowing for a more accurate playback of the groove.
• Sound Quality: Reviewers consistently noted the Holbo's extraordinary sound, characterized by a vast, precisely defined soundstage, exceptional focus, and a remarkable truth to the original recording.
• Simplicity and Quiet Operation: Despite its advanced technology, the Holbo is lauded for its simple, elegant design and quiet operation, including a noiseless air pump that doesn't require placement in a separate room. 

Where to Find Reviews and Information

• SoundStage! Australia: Offers an in-depth review of the Holbo Airbearing Turntable System MK2.
• StereoNET International: Provides a detailed review of the Holbo Mk II Airbearing Turntable, highlighting its smooth, friction-free operation.
• Mono & Stereo: Features a review praising the Holbo's air pump system and its feathery lightness and smooth, fluid movement.
• The Audio Beatnik: Published a multi-part review detailing the Holbo Airbearing Turntable's performance, particularly its soundstage presentation. 

@tablejockey 

The finger lift on my spare AT head shell is moulded in.  If need be, I can probably make one.  I need a good excuse to buy a milling machine!

Better off just payinng the $20US + the same amount to ship😂!!

@tablejockey 

But I've wanted my own milling machine for decades!

Really, I could make one in 20 minutes from aluminium bar using my Festool gear.  But it is all in the future ...