My other thought is to see if HRS will sell the top plate from the stand only. That way I could set it on top of my active platform and not have the hrs passive isolation messing with my active isolation.
Hi everyone,
Just to clarify a few things I've read here..... The suspension on the AF-1 is a hybrid; i.e., it's a combination of a polymer gel AND air. The idea is to have the best damped isolation, with the adjustablity to fine-tune, if desired. Also, the HRS shelf in question is made specifically for the AF-1. I don't mean just the cutouts (which make it easy to postion the turntable and motor in proper alignment for belt tension), but in the shelf's dissipation characteristics tuned to complement that of the AF-1's suspension.
As to whether or not to use the HRS shelf, or any other, that's of course a personal choice. As in all things audio, there are options, and LOTS of opinions..! Personally, I'm not a fan of acrylic in any turntable application; even the optional acrylic top platter for the AF-1 would be my third recommendation out of three possible choices. (Aluminum being the first, and the default platter supplied. The other choice is a stainless steel beauty, but again - personal choices. Of course, with the ease of switching out the top platters while always retaining the main (stainless) sub-platter that comprises the vacuum chamber, the drive surface for the belt, and the main interial component) you can have more than one top platter on hand for mood changes....
Also, for those who are in the rumor link about the Phantom Elite, I will say that we expect to have these ready in about two or three months. And, if I do say so myself, the combination of the AF-1 and Elite is, well - the best I've ever heard, and I wasn't even expecting quite such a jump. The Elite shares a common heritage with the other Phantoms; however, the new designs involved have given the Elite , in my opinion, and at the risk of possible hyperbole, a huge leap forward in overall performance. Although it will be more pricey than the other arms, which remain in the lineup and which remain as benchmarks in (and even above) their price points, I think those who have heard the prototypes (two of them) will agree that this is the best one yet. (And if I do say so myself.....)
Regards to all... - Bob