Stabi R, Bardo & Viella


Hello Fellow Analog Travelers,

I am after some advice on choosing a turntable after taking a hiatus from the hobby.

I used to have TW Actustic Raven (with AC motor) and Rola (Australia idler broadcast turntable) severl arms including Graham Phantom, ubiquitous Jelco 750 LB (RIP) and cartridges including Denon Dl-S1 (again RIP) Allnic Puritas…and few moderately pried cartridges fed through either Audia Flight phono or locally made tube phono stage.

I listen to all sorts of music that includes blues, vintage rock , world music, 80s synth….Not much jazz or classical (say 20% of my music collection)

3D holographic soundstage with airiness is more important that resolution or dynamics.

Compact size, uncomplicated set up, immune to dust and humidity is a bonus.

So the question is what would you recommend between Bardo, Stabi R and Viella, noting Bardo and Stabi R are similar priced buy Viella is bit more

Whatever the choice would be fed through a SET system with single driver speakers.

Thank you

pulinap

Looks like a Porsche vs Ferrrar vs Mclaren choice. No bad decision.

+1 all 3 choices are great, but some consider the Viella a higher value vs its price

@tablejockey and @lewm  thank you.

@sksos1  - thank you. Stabi R has always been in my radar. To play devils advocate, my limited experience suggests that bardo is less maintenance given less moving parts? (ie belt)  given high humidity?

@kennyc thank you. did you mean that Viella is overpriced? 

I certainly heard all three in stellar systems. And yet I own 2x Bardo one w performance SS power supply, other w RoNt II tube power supply Both tables live in salt fog environments -  100 yards from the Pacific and Puget Sound. Arms are Triplaner 7 U2-se w a Kuzma CAR 40 and a Brinkmann 10.5 w Koetsu Urishi Black. Important both live on HRS isolation. Probably jinx myself but many years of zero issues.. 

bottom line any of the 3 listed will be great

enjoy the music

@kennyc thank you. did you mean that Viella is overpriced? 

Underpriced- performing above the price level.

my limited experience suggests that bardo is less maintenance given less moving parts?

Actually I've had no issues with my Stabi R but had some speed issues with my Bardo which was why I did sell it. (Not for sonic reasons but the speed issues).