We wanted to like it, which is why we were considering taking on the brand. The only thing I can surmise is that whatever electronic speed control they had implemented (it uses two DC motors) was not very refined and was over correcting....like the early Japanese direct drives. The later Japanese tables has gotten very Sophisticated both with the motor design and especially the speed regulation and I am not sure the modern designers have really picked up the lesson. Brinkmann went with a motor very much like what is in my Yamaha (but strangely asymmetric), weak torque (like Nottingham) , unknown control system and a quite heavy platter. It seems to work quite well.Understand I am not advocating Reed. I have experience with the Brinkmanns. I have heard the 47 Labs Koma. I have no experience with the Reed; I cited it as a candidate conceptually because the design *should* compete well if executed well. I take your comments on the Reed seriously. Now I am curious why it disappoints. -Phil