World Debut: Vertere Reference Tonearm

[TBone]

yes, the AMG is a technological well thought and implemented table. looks simple but isn't - similar to Tourajis designs. and also sounds exceptionally. of course the price is challenging. I would compare it to the Brinkmann Oasis - maybe also coming with a Simplicity - one of the best tonearm designs of last year.

Now what we need is something offering:

* VTF (vertical tracking force) non-touch-adjustment: on-the-fly - during play.

* SRA adjustment is independent from tonearm height (fixed mounting head)

* dynamic tunable effective moving mass


* dynamic antiskating
- w/exchangeable inserts for any tangential curve!

* carbide hardend titanium / carbon-composite arm pipe with
internal liquid dampening on whole inner surface.

* exchangeable inserts in counterweight tuned to cartridge's compliance.
Thus eliminating low frequency resonance peak.

maybe, maybe we will see it...

Good list ...

Regarding "SRA adjustment independent from tonearm height" ... I personally would require on-the-fly azimuth adjustment in the same manner.

I already have an internally damped titanium arm with carbide bearings, and have realized those particular advantages, but that said, I'd still be interested in certain "wood" arms.

tb1

 

[TBone]

Yes, I agree. It was his first product out of school

Well, my out-of-school TT was the original Rega P2, followed soon by a RB300 based P3, both of which never really impressed me (although the RB300 later would) as much as their reputations hinted.

tb1

 

[A.wayne]

Out of school , High school or college ...?

 

[mep]

Out of school , High school or college ...?

What difference does it make?

 

[microstrip]

The first Xerxes was indeed a different animal, although personally, I found it to perform no better than it's sagging reputation.

tb1

TBone,

I can not agree with such a negative comment. We should remember that the first Xerxes was launched in 1985, a period where any good turntable was expected to be suspended by springs. It had a lot of other innovative features - motor suspension and drive system, and even a funny removable center spindle. Considering sound performance, it was an excellent sounding turntable - I listened to it many times sounding great, it was comparable to the best of that time, particularly with its best tonearm and cartridge. IMHO it represented excellent value for money at that time.

 

[A.wayne]

Timeline accuracy , discussion relevance , Now was it before O levels or after A-levels,

better now ...?

What difference does it make?

 

[garylkoh]

Out of school , High school or college ...?

PhD in mechanical engineering, Imperial College, University of London.

 

[A.wayne]

TBone,

I can not agree with such a negative comment. We should remember that the first Xerxes was launched in 1985, a period where any good turntable was expected to be suspended by springs. It had a lot of other innovative features - motor suspension and drive system, and even a funny removable center spindle. Considering sound performance, it was an excellent sounding turntable - I listened to it many times sounding great, it was comparable to the best of that time, particularly with its best tonearm and cartridge. IMHO it represented excellent value for money at that time.

Was it bettered by the LP-12 back then .. ?

 

[A.wayne]

PhD in mechanical engineering, Imperial College, University of London.

Show off ..... Ran from Cambridge , huh .....

 

[garylkoh]

Well, my out-of-school TT was the original Rega P2, followed soon by a RB300 based P3, both of which never really impressed me (although the RB300 later would) as much as their reputations hinted.

tb1

So was mine - with the S-shaped arm. When Touraj's partner came to Singapore with the original Rosewood-veneered Xerses, I quickly sold the P2, bought an RB300 for the Xerses. But over the 10 years I had it, there were things that I was not satisfied with and dabbled with a bunch of other turntables and arms. My original Xerses ended up with a Tabriz, my Xerses 10 had the Naim Aro, and the Xerses 20+ has the Artemiz.

 

[garylkoh]

Show off ....

I'm a Cambridge man myself .....O levels ...

That's Touraj, not me - I have Cambridge A levels

 

[A.wayne]

Comrade ....

 

[TBone]

TBone,

I can not agree with such a negative comment. We should remember that the first Xerxes was launched in 1985, a period where any good turntable was expected to be suspended by springs. It had a lot of other innovative features - motor suspension and drive system, and even a funny removable center spindle. Considering sound performance, it was an excellent sounding turntable - I listened to it many times sounding great, it was comparable to the best of that time, particularly with its best tonearm and cartridge. IMHO it represented excellent value for money at that time.

That's fine, obviously my experiences with the original Xerxes didn't measure up to yours. Although very good and certainly a large cut above Rega quality, it didn't compare nearly as-well with the certain direct competitors I auditioned.

And that was well prior to the sagging issues ...

tb1

 

[garylkoh]

TBone,

I can not agree with such a negative comment. We should remember that the first Xerxes was launched in 1985, a period where any good turntable was expected to be suspended by springs. It had a lot of other innovative features - motor suspension and drive system, and even a funny removable center spindle. Considering sound performance, it was an excellent sounding turntable - I listened to it many times sounding great, it was comparable to the best of that time, particularly with its best tonearm and cartridge. IMHO it represented excellent value for money at that time.

+1

It certainly bettered the LP12 of the time. I remember comparing the Xerses/Artemiz/Shiraz to the LP12/Ittok/Asak and the Linn combo wasn't even close. Even the much vaunted "rich bass" of the Linn sounded confused. However, Linn was always better at marketing than the upstart Roksan.

 

[TBone]

Was it bettered by the LP-12 back then .. ?

It was certainly "different", and perhaps that aspect alone made it more popular with many 'philes back in it's day. Initially, when I was a Rega owner, I very much coveted the LP12, or even the Xerxes for that matter, but after time, many auditions later, my requirements changed ...

tb1

 

[microstrip]

That's fine, obviously my experiences with the original Xerxes didn't measure up to yours. Although very good and certainly a large cut above Rega quality, it didn't compare nearly as-well with the certain direct competitors I auditioned.

And that was well prior to the sagging issues ...

tb1

Surely, we are not supposed to like all the same turntable. Just to be more precise, could you tell me what were the competitors you are referring to?

 

[mep]

Surely, we are not supposed to like all the same turntable. Just to be more precise, could you tell me what were the competitors you are referring to?

He won't post his stereo system here because in his words, he's lazy. You have to go to AA and chase down his thread to see what he is using now. Bruce was kind enough to post a link to his system because I wasn't going to be bothered chasing it down as he wouldn't even post a link to his system on AA. It's a bunch of old gear that has been modified.

 

[NorthStar]

-- Great thread, very informative and educational; thanks to our great contributors (Gary, TB 1, and Gary, and TB 1, and airbearing). :b

 

[vinylphilemag]

+1

It certainly bettered the LP12 of the time. I remember comparing the Xerses/Artemiz/Shiraz to the LP12/Ittok/Asak and the Linn combo wasn't even close. Even the much vaunted "rich bass" of the Linn sounded confused. However, Linn was always better at marketing than the upstart Roksan.

I agree with your assessment. The original Xerxes (with an RB300 arm and an Audio Technica AT F5 MC cartridge) was my first proper turntable, and I chose it after auditioning it in addition to the LP12 and Pink Triangle PT Too. (Although now that I am a more experienced listener, I think the PT Too is the best of those three.)

 

[TBone]

He won't post his stereo system here because in his words, he's lazy. You have to go to AA and chase down his thread to see what he is using now. Bruce was kind enough to post a link to his system because I wasn't going to be bothered chasing it down as he wouldn't even post a link to his system on AA. It's a bunch of old gear that has been modified.

Please get over yourself and stop this silly childish gesturing ... he was referencing my experience with other turntables at that time, not specifically my system. And honestly, if you consider it just a bunch of "old" gear, well ... that basically tells me everything I need to know about your audiophile knowledge.

tb1