How do you choose a turntable ?

@hb22 This is a 2nd attempt to respond to your post, don't understand what became of my first concerning the Holbo.  I use AnalogMagic to set up turntables and had trouble setting up a Holbo.  The one I was working on, the owner wanted to use a MC cartridge and the resonance was all wrong.  I wanted to try a higher compliance MM cartridge that we had on hand, but the owner had his heart set on using his MC.  Fortunately his McIntosh preamp had a subsonic filter so we made it work.  Don't get me wrong, the Holbo is a fine TT, but like every other, it is important to make sure to mate arm and cartridge carefully.   

Thank you for your compliment on the Holbo mk2 TT; it really is an excellent turntable. I am also glad that you sorted out the matter according to the customer's wishes and that he is very satisfied. I should also add, that a phono riaa preamp is useless without a subsonic filter! A subsonic filter is mandatory, regardless of which turntable/tonearm/cartridge you use.

Yes although it is worth pointing out that because the Holbo has a low mass tonearm it has difficulty mating with low compliance cartridges.  In practical terms that means it is much better suited to higher compliance cartridges such as many MM cartridges.  Please understand that is not a criticism, there is nothing wrong with that.  The Holbo is an excellent TT no question, but it would not be the best option if a person wanted to use a MC cartridge that is all I am saying.  I cannot support your contention that a subsonic filter is mandatory in all circumstances.  I prefer to get the resonance frequency of the arm and cartridge as close to the ideal 10 Hz as possible in order to forego the need for a subsonic filter.  If the resonance frequency is below 8 Hz then you are correct that a subsonic filter is required in most systems, at least where full range speakers and/or where subs are employed.

Maybe you are right, I would absolutely not argue with you. I can tell you that over 200 Holbo mk1 + mk2 turntables have been sold and that all customers use MC cartridges and seriously, I don't think any of them have MM. Personally, I can say that the Goldring 1042 is very good on a Holbo turntable.

I should also add, that a phono riaa preamp is useless without a subsonic filter! A subsonic filter is mandatory, regardless of which turntable/tonearm/cartridge you use.

The necessity of a subsonic filter really depends on a host of interactive variables including: your turntable, clamping, rack, floor, speaker ported vs. sealed, arm / cart, and how loud you play. If you have a setup that doesn’t generate anything near overload levels, nor discernible woofer flapping, then why incur the extra circuitry and artifacts of a filter?

RIAA IEC added a mild (6dB / octave) filter at 20Hz but it’s rarely made clear which phono stages implement this. It’s also not strong enough to solve major issues on its own. The KAB rumble filter is much more effective than this, but ideally you’d solve the root issue through mechanical optimizations. 

As smooth and friction free as the Clearaudio CMB bearing is, it can also be a subsonic / woofer flapping generator because of its vertical compliance. If you don’t completely structurally isolate these tables, a subsonic filter is needed to save your poor woofers.