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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
richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,413 posts
 

@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 ...

maxson
100 posts
 

I got one of those finger lifts on Amazon before the Holbo arrived--$5. Then I never fitted it b/c the cueing is so solid, even tho I always cue by hand with my pivoted arms. Also concerned the weight of the lift would throw off azimuth.

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,413 posts
 

@maxson 

Yes, I am used to a pivoted SME arm with hydraulically damped lowering device and worrying too much!

I'll do nothing until I have a real problem ... thanks for your input

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,413 posts
 

@maxson @frazeur1 

Can I ask what your Holbos are sitting on?  Have you found yours susceptible to external vibrations?

Thanks in advance, Richard

frazeur1
360 posts
 

@richardbrand Richard, my Holbo sits on cups underneath the spiked feet, and all of it is sighted atop a BASE isolation platform. This gives a slight bit of isolation from my rack etc. It works great. I do not see or hear any negatives to this at all, but as usual, these things are so questionable at times. 

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