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

@audition__audio 

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

I am glad you picked up the irony in my response.  Far from being hurt, I am astounded at your arrogance.  There, like @devinplombier, I also said it.

The Holbo tonearm seems very like the CSPort except that it can handle lighter cartridges - I am guessing because its horizontal mass is quite low.  It handled my high compliance Shure V15 without problems.  Don’t let its looks deceive you - this is one very rigid arm.

@pal_gunnestad 

You mentioned worn records, and I note that your DS Audio cartridge has an elliptical stylus.

Before I bought the Holbo, I replaced my old stylus with micro-line, which seems to bridge over the places worn by older shapes.  Even my old records sound like new.

That’s why I went up the range a little bit, with the DS003 in order to get a line contact stylus.

In my book, everyone is free to pursue arms and equipment in all price classes and visual categories, even in the Idion Audio range! But I don't really see the need to go posting about it in a thread that clearly does not match ones preferences.

@richardbrand

I hope you both enjoyed your trip, in spite of wardrobe challenges and as for exchange rates, sometimes ignorance is bliss. Although atm, the NOK is good value.

Almost 25 years ago, I actually spent a month backpacking on the Australian east coast (my travelling mate went to Perth by train, after 24hrs he asked the conductor "are we there yet", he looked at his watch and replied "about half way"), and have good memories, both of the scenery, but also the friendly and welcoming Aussies.

As for classical music, it is a big unknown to me. I have not heard of this label, but will have a look at the recording you mention. Looks like it is digital only? 

level the turntable a bit more accurately

I did another round with my level, let's see if it helps, thanks!

You might be pleasantly surprised what a Mk2 would cost you

Hehe, maybe he does trade-ins!

Valid point about the stylus. Apparently a countryman of yours, Allclear Audio, retips DS Audio carts with a boron cantilever and a nude micro ridge for a fair price. 

Nothing arrogant about stating that something appears to look inadequate. I didnt say it was I said it looked. Dont interpret, read what it written. If you search linear tracking arms one of the cons listed is the complexity of the arm as well as the significantly higher cost to manufacture. Just admit that my statement offended you at a personal level and you responded as would a delinquent. 

In terms of tech and similarities between your arm and the CS Port I would guess the manufacturer told you this. I would also guess that much of the tech from both arms was taken from earlier tangent arm designs and hopefully improved upon. The first tangent arm I remember seeing was the Eminent arm which suffered from problems intrinsic in this type of design.

So my statement was based on fact and a decent familiarity with this design. I think this design has merits, but also a great many problems which are best dealt with by throwing money at the design and most critically the materials used. Now to help you out I am not stating more expensive products are always better. And lets confine this statement to the components in this discussion. 

@pal_gunnestad 

I did not know about Allclear Audio - thanks for the tip (sorry, another pun).  Garrott Brothers is another Aussie service that has been mentioned here.

2L.no has started producing vinyl records but I don't have any yet.  If fact, not much of their production is classical so they get lots of Grammy nominations. My current rule of thumb is to buy SACD or Pure Audio Blu-ray if they are available, then vinyl, then CD.  With 2L.no you mostly get SACD and Blu-ray versions in the same pack.

Norway distances are about as intimidating as Australia's, but with a lot more bends and gradients!  Whereabouts do you live?