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

@richardbrand Glad to hear that you are enjoying your music!

Can you tell me about your involvement with Holbo?

It started with an interest in trying out a linear tracking arm. I was a bit tired of tinkering with my vintage TD124 MKII (still the best looking turntable imo), and wanted something relatively easy to live with. The Holbo dealer here in Norway had a nice deal for the outgoing model 1, which looked like good value when you consider its dual air capabilities. So, after reading raving reviews, especially one where it was paired with my DS-Audio E1, and they took my EAT turntable, which I did not particularily like, in trade-in. Good deal over all.

The E1 has since been replaced by an E3, and I have to say that my experience matches yours, the Holbo-DS Audio combination has enlightened (my turn to pun) my listening experience. The amount of information extracted from the grooves along with the lowered noise level is simply addicitve. I also enjoy the feel of it, and ease of operation. 

My only complaints are that the motor is a bit noisy and the tendency to get stuck in a groove for a couple of rounds. Dusting the shaft seems to rectify this, although I am covering it up when it is not in use. Is it perhaps a bit picky when it comes to worn records?

phono stage from SoulNote 

Good to know, and I read from your post that the upgrade is worth the cost. For the moment, I will spend money on records 

 The full saga to date 

Will dive into this, thanks!

gently dust with that micro-fibre cloth.

Exactly what the doctor (Bostjan) prescribed:

Always clean the air bearing shaft with a dry microfiber cloth!

Do not use any cleaners or alcohol.

I wouldnt consider any arm of this type that wasnt really expensive. Cant really speak to the table but the arm looks inadequate. The problems with linear arms, in my experience, is that it is really difficult to do them correctly and also very costly. If the arm isnt stable and secure you will lose any advantage gained from this arm type and then some. I remember looking at the Kuzma and also the CS Port. Only the CS Port grabbed me and held on for a time. 

Only the CS Port grabbed me and held on for a time.

I've heard the CS Port linear tracker in action using a MSL cartridge. Very transparent with gobs of inner detail. Made a lasting impression.

@audition__audio 

I wouldnt consider any arm of this type that wasnt really expensive

Maybe I could interest you in a DAC then! 

The one I have in mind for you is from Ideon Audio - the Axion DAC which you can check out here: AXIOM DAC - Ideon Audio.  It is a three-box solution which is just as well because it weighs in at 132-kgs or 290-lbs.  Part of that is for the power supply which outputs 2-kVA which is quite a lot for a DAC that outputs milli Watts.  But the best thing though is the price - around A$300,000.  Must be good, then.

I had to check the spelling of Ideon and that the release date was not 1 April.  It is distributed in Australia by Absolute Hi End, the very same people who sold me my DS Audio optical cartridge and SoulNote Equalizer.

I have not noticed any posts from you in the past, but I see that science and engineering are not really your thing!

I love the way scientists and engineers think their profession adds any credibility. It hobbles you and you become a victim of your education as well as the way you choose to view the world

I wonder if you can name any significant bit of audio gear that did not have input from scientists or engineers?  I love the way you looked at the CSPort - maybe their Linear Arm AFU1-2.  The design principles are almost identical to the Holbo linear tracking tonearm and the great thing is that the CSPort costs about four times as much, even though it does not include a table, let alone an integrated air-bearing one!

If I were you, I’d keep looking 

Science and engineering are fine. They need to just stay in their lanes and feel secure in the reality that the way they view the world is limited by not only the science but also by the personalities of those that typically get into science.

Everything else you got wrong. But just interpret as you see fit. 

To get hurt over me saying a linear tracking arm should be more expensive and that the arm looked inadequate is so petty and immature. Oh yes I forgot this is your arm and hence a critical statement about the arm is an insult directed at you.