Ayre DPS Bauer vs Artemis Labs

To be clear, the DPS tonearm is a Schroeder tonearm. I have a DPS turntable with which I initially used the DPS (Schroeder) arm. I have subsequently upgraded to a Schroeder Reference arm.

While there is/was a Schröder 'DPS' model arm, it is not supplied as a stock arm with the Ayre DPS table to my knowledge, but rather, a newer design Bauer arm is. Hope this helps.

There is one big difference between these two turntables that would lead me to choose the Artemis, all other things being equal. The Artemis uses a kind of capstan to wrap the tape drive around the platter. This has a very important effect to greatly reduce belt creep, a major drawback of belt-drive. Also, tape drive is a good way to go. I am rather surprised that no one has mentioned it. I don't think Artemis has done a good job of "selling" this feature.

On the other hand, I think Artemis uses DC motor and DPS uses AC synchronous. For much more uncertain reasons, I prefer AC.

Thanks for the comments. Just gotten a DPS 2 but not the Ayre PS.

05-12-12: Shsohis
Thanks for the comments. Just gotten a DPS 2 but not the Ayre PS.

Why not? The speed consistency and its attendant pace, rhythm, etc. are part of what impressed me so much about the DPS/Ayre setup.

Maybe you auditioned without and the Ayre unit didn't justify the price?