2. analog
  3. 1356044877

New TW 3 Motor Pod

I don't know what else to call TWs new 3 motor single pod unit intended for use with the Raven. I received mine a couple of weeks ago and with sufficient break in time I'm prepared to comment on its performance v/s the single motor I have been using for several years.

The new unit is the very same motor now marketed with the TW Black Knight except without the scalloped edges around the motor base. If anyone out there has been thinking about moving up to this unit I would say don't hesitate. The depth of field, expansive side to side staging, more natural leading edge transients, explosive dynamics without glare, and ultra quiet vinyl playback is worth the price of the motor. Anyone now owning a Raven using one motor cannot imagine what they are not hearing in their analog system. I've had many skeptics tell me that the added motors would only lead to more audible noise but I have found the result to be absolutely the opposite with very dark backdrops and much more 3D images. Did I mention the terrific tight integrated bottom end? This completion of the Raven has left me wanting for nothing from my analog source.

For those of you using the original motor controller and not the Reference model, the improvement with the Reference is big. It's also less expensive than the new motor. I would say move up to the Ref MC first and the new motor after that. You can see pictures of the new motor on Facebook at High Water Sounds' site. If interested, contact Jeff Catalano at High Water.
128x128elinor
goldeneraguy
442 posts
 
I've been having so much fun with my TW GT that I seldom look at the forums.
I just peeked and found this thread revised.
Now I have to email Jeffrey to discuss upgrades.
It never ends.
Have Fun
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I now have the BN platter on my TW Raven AC-3 and its wonderful. I changed the bearing at the same time to the latest BN bearing.

Double the weight of the old one but spins so easy and free. With the 3 motors, the heavier platter does need a helping hand on start up. Tried using one motor which was easier for start up, however 3 motors sounds better.

Overall more open, quieter with better coherence top to bottom and a tighter bottom end.

cheers
suteetat
435 posts
 
I recently added the the 3 motors unit and am very impressed with upgrade. The midrange is better focus but the biggest improvement seems to be in the bass area where the bass tightened up very nicely with better pitch and definition, pacing and slam. Not sure why 3 motors running at the same speed as single motor would make such a difference but it does. First time I home demoed the 3 motors unit, I did not want to return it and wait until my motors arrived.
The Black Knight platter should be here in the next few weeks!
pierre1976
33 posts
 
Why is the new 3 Unit better than the 3 single motors. I have a Raven one and i would think that it would be better to use 2 motors insted of the 3 unit.
That way i could have a pull from 2 sides insted of one side.

Can anyone tell me why you use the 3 unit motor insted of 2 or 3 single motors?
latinsamba1
74 posts
 
I recently installed the new 3 motor pod and thought I would add to what other owners have said.

Going from the single motor to the 3 motor pod has been a very significant upgrade in my system, far more than a mere tweak. I admit that I do not understand exactly why 3 motors is better. More torque possibly, better belt tension? Why would this matter once the platter is up to speed???

What I can say is the improvement was immediately obvious on the first track of the first record I queued up. On large scale classical (the most challenging material for my system), I was struck by the higher level of articulation and realism of strings. The orchestra as a whole had an increased sense of scale and weight. Bass quality and definition were both notably better. The separation between instruments was another major improvement. Certain busy passages that were a bit congealed before were now more intelligible. Going through my favorites from classical, jazz and rock I am still amazed at what such a deceptively simple upgrade has done for the music in audiophile terms.

Leaving all the hyperbole aside, the biggest change is in the drive and swings of the music. The 3 motor pod adds a big dose of drama to the sound. With the single motor setup I often found myself increasing the volume in an attempt to add a bit more fire to the music but louder was simply louder.

If you currently have an AC1 I believe the 3 motor pod is a must have. I know that is a bit presumptuous but let's be honest - you already went far beyond "budget". In my system, the sonic improvement was greater than I heard from upgrading my cartridge to the Ortofon Windfeld from the Cadenza Black and the 3 motor pod adds things that I believe a cartridge alone will not do. This is a fantastic upgrade.
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