Suspended Basis vs Nonsuspended Teres


Hi:

I am preparing to upgrade my TT and I am seriously considering a Top-of -the-Line Teres with Basis Vector Arm or Graham 2.2 and Shelter 901 combination. In researching the arm, I had some e-mail exchanges with AJ Conti from Basis.

It was kind of him to correspond with me and I am appreciative of his input. Of course, he endorses his own TT but he was very negative about others except SME. I have excerpted a couple sections to illustrate. Is he correct that nonsuspended tables are inferior unless you purchase a Vibraplane platform. And, do we believe that the Basis has 50 dB less environmental noise infiltration than other TT. My lack of hands-on experience with these TT and their strengths and weaknesses leave me wondering. I have no doubt about the quality of Basis TT but I am seeking input from several sources I trust. Audiogon is one.
see comments below.

"The 2001 with Vector is clearly superior to the SME 20 with any arm. The only turntables I would consider, if I were buying out on the market and knew all I know about all of them, would be Basis Debut series, 2500 series, 2001, SME 30, SME 20.

"Once you own the Vector, after you place it on something else, you will wish you bought Basis, especially after you see one, see the platter turn but have it look so stationary you don't think it's turning, such is its rotational accuracy, and they you note the platter on yours
going up and down as it rotates..........or after you realize that even the 2001 is TOTALLY isolated from all room vibrations, including its own motor, while any Teres, VPI, Nottingham have 50 DECIBELS MORE outside world garbage
getting in than the 2001. Yes, 50 decibels. ... That means NOISE, every unisolated turntable, including our own 1400 and 2000 (only offered to get in a lower price range where
all of the competition is unisolated) are full of noise, changing the tonality, losing and obscuring detail which you can never get back. It is pathetic and ridiculous to offer the $3k plus turntables that are offered without isolation, pretending cones and mulitple layers of actylic and other materials can "isolate" (proving the incompetance or dishonesty) of the designer or sales guy at the company. I love what Teres said to one of their dealers: "We can't
compete with the expertise, fixturing, tooling that Basis has, but here's why we are great-we listen to each one and throw away an entire unit if it does not sound good." What a great statement of "We don't know what we're doing, but
we try hard to not let poor product out the door."

cardiackid
I have heard the Vector now on several tables. It sounds uniformly excellent. I would give to it a slightly higher mark on the Basis tables but not by much. Sounds spectacular on the 'Not line, too, but some adjustments beyond a different collet ring are necessary. I've not heard one on a Teres. Seems like some prefer either unipivots or gimbal arms on the Teres, so it should sound great.
Thank you all for your input.

Esoxhntr,I have only excerpted part of an e-mail exchange with AJ not a phone conversation. Also, I clearly understand where AJ is coming from and I appreciate and respect his honest opinion. He should be supportive of his own equipment and other equipment he admires. The issue is not AJ for me but whether a nonsuspended table like a Teres is the best decision for me. AJ has provided one perspective.

I am simply trying to get a cross-section of opinion on these TT options in order to make the best decision. I think the Teres has strong supporters but it may benefit from the use of an isolation platform, such as the vibraplane. Does it require it for top performance?

I think the sound of the Teres wooden platter and base maybe acoustically preferable to acrylic. I will need to listen for that answer. I am not sure if the engineering of the Teres platter and bearing and speed control ae not the equal of the Basis.

The last issue is whether the best engineered table is the best sounding table. Where does the art factor fall in to play.

And certainly there are other well engineered table to consider beyond Basis and SME.

Thanks again for the discussion. It helps me to dig out the issues so that I can make a better personal decision.
I own a Basis 2001 / Graham 1.5 T/C arm and a Benz Micro Ruby. My buddy owns a Teres 245 / Orgin live Silver and a Shelter 501 we both own a Audible Illusions mod. 3 with the gold moving coil board. I have VTL 125 mono block amps and Alon 5 speakers . My buddy has a Audio Research VT 100 amp and Alon elite signature speakers so are systems are somewhat alike ? They do sound different the Teres may be a little sweeter sounding with a wonderfull soundstage in the mids and highs . The Basis has great power in the bass and is maybe a little fuller sounding and more dynamic. I like both systems and could live with either for a long time. My ruby is getting a little long in the tooth so a retip may bring the differences a little closer ? I if I was looking to buy a turntable now would look at the Teres 245 /Orgin live arm and Shelter 501/ 901 and the Basis 2001 /2500 and Basis Vector arm with the Ruby 2 but the cost diff I would go with the Teres with no thought on cost I would go for the Basis . This is just My 2 cents I like folk music and classical and My buddy is more rock , blues and other things try and find someone who ownes one of each and see what you like both are great turntables. Marc P/S E mail Me for more info and I will put you in touch with My buddy so you can get more info
Thank you very much Lake513, very helpful. I will e-mail you to expand the discussion briefly later on tonight. Thank you again.
I have a Vibraplane under my Redpoint TT and it does make an excellent base for an unsuspended TT. I do think though that other less expensive base materials such as granite slabs can do a very good job. As far as unsuspended tables in general there are too many variances IMO to make a statement such as that. My unsuspended TT weighs well over 100lbs without the base. There are other unsuspended tables weighing closer to 40-60lbs. These will react much differently to vibrations and I would suspect that the lighter turntables will need increased isolation in comparison to heavier ones.