Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site


In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: A longer turntable belt.
Post Subject: SP10 and the Japanese contribution to audioPosted by tokyo john on: 1/4/2007

Hi Guy,

Thanks very much for providing me your insights on the SP10.

I have to confess when I initially read your comments I could not help but be astounded that a person involved with a Brit belt driven, light weight, suspended turntable would be using a DD. (and with an unfashionable SME V at that!)

But then, 25 years ago I thought the Japanese were crazy with their SP10s, SPUs, pivoted arms, tubes and Tannoys. (back then, most decent folk in other parts of the world were either flat-earthers (Linnies) or Absolute Sounders)
Then tubes (esp SETs) became sexy again, then horns (obvious partners for those SETs afterall), and now I learn that DDs are not hopelessly flawed. Sure, the infamous Goldmund Studio was DD, but the Reference was belt driven. Come to think of it, I recall one of the TAS reviewers (maybe Dave Wilson before he sold so many speakers?) used a Denon DP100 monster DD in his playback.

Of course, not all the Japanese stuff was good, and brands like Kondo Audio Note and Final, from what I understand, played up the Japanese thing to a point  where their prices reflected more Geisha-lust than engineering. I suppose the stuff that the Japanese can truly be proud of are certain TTs, some arms, many carts, tuners and tape decks (there are lots of garage tube amp makers but not having owned them I have no idea how good they are). Romy had some nice things to say about Japanese drivers installed in boom boxes; incredible! (but then again, the Japanese dominate the up-stream of the consumer electronics industry through their strength in the materials industry; even Samsung is at their mercy)

But I am digressing here.

Thanks again, and let me know if I can do anything for you from out here in Japan (the offer also remains open to, yet unactivated by, Romy).

John

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site