Turntable advise needed - Norway callin'

I can't speak to the whole list of tables you asked about, as I've only heard the Avid. I have, however, heard the Avid with the same Burmester 011 and 911mk3 combo you're upgrading to (a family member has that combo with Nordost Valhalla cabling, Verity speakers and DCS stack, SME arm and Airtight pc-1 cartridge. An aside: the phono pre on the burmester is fantastic. I think the avid sounds fantastic in this setup. It's very dynamic and the bass is stupendous, but also very involving and lush. I also think the chrome finish compliments the Burmester gear very nicely. I don't think you could go wrong with this combo, and the softening of the pound may temper some as-of-late exaggerated retail prices, but then the general decline of currency may erase any savings.

Also the new Thorens TD550 goes well visually with Burmeister.

http://www.thorens.com/turntables/drives/td-550.html

Although expensive I recommend the Basis with its Vector 4. I own it myself and I cannot imagine that it will be surpassed :).I have heard the other combinations for a short time (including the Linn) but I still prefer the Basis. I use it with the Lyra Titan i. But .....you should also include a powerconditioner for the turntable like the Clearaudio or its own Basis (damned expensive!).

batalok

Hi!

I have checked the prices more now, and I think the Brinkmann w/Brinkmann arm will be too expensive. The TW Acustic Raven w/Graham Phantom II or Triplanar arm looks like first priority with basis 2200 w/Vector 4 arm a good second (it will be USD 4.000 less).

You can get a Tw Acustic Raven with the mentioned arm (s) for approx. USD 14.000 incl. 25% VAT. You can get a Basis 2200 with Vector 4 arm for USD 10.500 incl. 25% VAT. So its nice prices over here. The Brinkmann with the Brinkmann arm costs approx. USD 18.000 incl. 25% VAT.

Cheeers, Toffen G

The Raven would be on my short list if I didn't already have a VPI which is also great. Either way, you'll have blissful sound when you're set up. The VPI is more budget friendly but you don't seem to have this problem. What cartridge are you looking at/using? Keep us posted on your results.