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Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site tekcad.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekcad!shauns
From: shauns@tekcad.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: B&O Turntable Inquiry - (nf)
Message-ID: <43@tekcad.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 17-Sep-83 23:41:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekcad.43
Posted: Sat Sep 17 23:41:03 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Sep-83 21:49:44 EDT
References: <2838@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 56

Now this is interesting...someone going from a Thorens table to a B&O, rather
than the other way around.

I presently own a B&O 1900 of 1978 vintage, which has performed admirably
(read NO problems).
It is one of the few tables on the market that has a COMPLETELY isolated
turntable/arm and is remarkably insensitive to thumps and banging ( though not,
unfortunately, to lateral motion, as would be caused by jostling of its
platform)
However, its performance is really no better than that of many
present-day $150-$200 tables from Japan, and the specs of its descendants
(1700, 3404, 8004, 9000) are essentially the same.  The only thing that has
changed in the last five years is the tonearm shape, and, just recently,
the cartridges.
The automatic antiskate is not user-controllable, which is unfortunate because
it is often wrong.  Turntable rumble is very high, easily 6-10dB greater than
competitive models, even on their linear tracker, a deplorable state of affairs.

However, my biggest gripe about the B&O line is the B&O cartridge, to which you
commit yourself when buying a B&O table.  Five years ago, the consumer was
faced with a terrible, unfathomable mishmash of incompatible arms and
cartridges, and B&O's matched arm/cartridge system was an easy way to get
high quality LP reproduction without first obtaining a physics degree.
In 1983, however, things have changed.  Most arms and most cartridges are
reasonably compatible, and excellent performance can be had at much less than
the $400 I paid in 1978 for my 1900.

I recently did a test listen between my turntable with an brand new MMC-20EN
cartridge and a Japanese table with several universal mount cartridges.
After A/Bing with some friends' conventional systems and noting the above
deficiencies, I had become concerned that my cartridge/table was nearing its
end, and I wanted to replace it with, if possible, another B&O, thinking that
there couldn't be THAT much difference between high quality cartridges.
Frankly, I was rather shocked to hear obvious sound differences, particularly
in the high end.  The Japanese table's cartridges cost from two thirds to
about equal to what mine
did ($100 to $150) yet were, to me, far superior in overall response.

I am now looking for a suitable replacement for my B&O.
There are many, depressingly inexpensive, choices.

The B&O is still an excellent choice if you want a stunningly beautiful piece
of equipment that does a very good job of sound reproduction with very little
involvement on your part.  If, however, you want the very best sound quality,
or like to tweak your equipment, or want the best value for the dollar, B&O
is NOT the way to go.

Shaun Simpkins
tektronix!tekcad!shauns

-- 
				Shaun Simpkins

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