TTWeights of canada makes a rim drive TT for about $4400. I've never had the pleasure to hear one. Does anyone know how it compares to the VPI version?
Originally and until relatively recently Chris Brady of Teres Audio was a proponent and manufacturer of belt drive turntables. With the introduction of the Teres Certus direct drive turntables Chris re-examined things and later replaced the belt drive motors for his less expensive turntables with the Verus Direct Coupled (rim drive) motor. He offered the less expensive turntables with this motor and later discontinued all making of Teres Turntables but the Certus Direct Drive models. He still offers the Verus Direct Coupled II (rim drive) motor for interested turntable owners. Below is a link to the Teres Verus Direct Coupled II motor:
I'm a big fan of the TD124, and have another on its way. Not having Garrard 301 on the list is odd, but does open for discussion. I also find Bg4000 on the list, a fantastic turntable that was very influential, and is very sought after today. I let a perfect, mint condition one go to an acquaintance who is very pleased with it - I do have another two in storage!
BTW - Bg4000 are crazy sought after these days, prices are shooting up and professional buyers are scouring Denmark for them.
I might be wrong but in my memory the Thorens Reference is the first cost no object design ever?!? Isn't that a reason to put him on the list here. Thereafter almost all producers came up with a Reference product.
The Thorens was originally designed for the purpose of being the internal reference for new Thorens products. Only after people had seen it and forced Thorens to sell them one a real limited production has been agreed. Even if it may not be or maybe has never been the best TT in the World (who cares anyway) it opened a door for reference products which have been projects from which we benefitted in one way or the other.
A second and only personal contender for the most important turntable is the Transrotor Iron. Why, it was my choice together with a Dynavector 505 to re-enter the world of vinyl after I had left it for the than great digital future. I sold this one already two times and buy it back each time ?!?