Teres still the way to go?

More insights? I guess so (grin). I was talking regularly with Thom over about 18 months since committing to the Gavia. So I have heard a fair amount about the work he's done on selecting the Serac motor and the base design.

The bearing and drive architecture are the same as used on the other Galibiers. I think he's still working through a few alternatives for the finish to the base. My guess is he could ship Seracs fairly soon, however I think he wants to be totally happy with a finalized design before he starts shipping tables.

The best way to get up to speed with the Serac is to get in touch with Thom. He's a really approachable guy and, who knows, the more people hassling him about the Serac might just hasten its progress!

Note that everyone who has a Galibier is absolutely delighted with their purchase and hasn't posted a word of criticism. That's not coincidence - it's because of Thom's high standards, honesty and hard work. And you don't see used Galibiers up for sale either.

Can you give more info about the "upgraded arm" (is this the Vivid-two?). What type of design is it? What carts mate well with it? Given the "turntable package" what carts would be appropriate (Denon 103-R, XYZ Bloom, etc?)

My previous analog setup was a Teres 255 / Origin Live Silver / Shelter 501 mk II. Given this baseline, (in theory) how would a Serac compare?

It's the Artisan - a rolled aluminum arm tube, gimbal bearing, adjustable VTA and azimuth with magnesium headshell. It's due to be launched in May. I've been working with Thom evaluating a pre-production sample.

I heard the Teres 255 in Colorado and I rate the Galibier motor controller ahead of the Teres. You get better dynamic attack, tighter, extended bass and very little surface noise intrusion.

The Artisan seems to do pretty well with most carts. I've only tried it with a Dyna XX-2 (excellent), Koetsu Black and an Empire EDR.9 (very enjoyable). I believe Thom has been very pleased with his trials with a 103R and a Dyna 20X. I would describe it as very honest, in that it doesn't flatter or apologize for the limitations of the cart or table.

The OL Silver is a good arm, it's very dynamic with lashings of fast bass, however like many cast aluminum arms, it has a slight HF tizziness, lacks subtlety and has a slightly gray tonal coloration. The Artisan is more neutral and has superior micro dynamics - you don't just feel the power of the performance but also the emotion. Thom has described the Artisan as being close to the Triplanar in character.

My personal experience confirms that you should buy the best table you can afford, then the best arm and use whatever's left of your budget for the cart (assuming you already have a good phono stage and RCM).

The Serac/Artisan combo will be a giant killing combo (it will beat the Raven One which retails at $5k) and I would suggest either the Empire EDR.9 ($160) or Dyna 20X ($650) would be great companions. The Dyna XX-2 is stunningly enjoyable, but at $1750 it might be an indulgence.

Flying Red,

I am a TW owner and have my biases. You have yours as well. But, stating something WILL be anything makes no sense to me. I would state that should be in the same performance league, or should compare very well with..... Our absolutes only result in insults, which neither of the above manufacturers endorce. In fact, I have heard them speak highly of each others products.

Hi guys,

I've been a bit of a "tease" over the past months with the Serac, and for this I apologize.

The seemingly trivial act of finishing the base has taken me down more than one path. I've met some interesting folks along the way - including the fellow who does the clear coat finishing on Avalon speakers - someone whom I lovingly refer to as "Dr. Paint".

The past six months have presented me with more than one distraction - not related to things "Galibier", and hence my mis-estimation of progress in taking the Serac project over the finish line.

I'm in sunny Phoenix, Arizona this weekend, taking care of some family business - to return to the Front Range of Colorado on Tuesday.

Before leaving for Phoenix, I finalized the Serac's finishing concept which will allow me to complete the base drawings and submit them to my machinist.

After going round and round, my first idea will be implemented - a 7 layer affair with the same shape as the Gavia and Stelvio, with the even numbered layers being 1/8" (about 3mm) narrower - so that the base gives the appearance of having 3 channels routed around it.

It's a nice architectural feature and neatly sidesteps the problem of what to do with the MDF seams. Sealing and hiding MDF seams on a flush surface is quite the challenge - having caused the folks at Avalon Acoustics no end of grief as they worked to finish their 4" thick speaker baffles.

Getting to the point where the ledges formed by these channels could take paint properly was the main challenge, but now that we've resolved this, we're good to go.

I'll update the Serac product page until we actually have the bases in progress - perhaps 10 days from now.

Thanks for your patience. It wasn't my intent to drag this project on for so long.

I have some fascinating prototyping whirling through my head, and bringing the Serac to physical reality has been the necessary pre-condition for this work.

Cheers,
Thom