[Scott F.]

I have to agree with Wayner here when it comes to suspended tables. I've owned or played with the best part of a dozen of these in varying qualities over the years. Some have sounded slow and bloated (read=cheap decks) but when you get a good quality design like the Systemdek mentioned (and several others) you move into a different relm, especially when you tweak it.

A good suspended table will kill comparable fixed plinth deck (read=Rega, Technics, etc.). The blanket statements that ALL suspended tables are slow, bloated or ponderous is just plain wrong. This statement is coming from one who has two suspended decks (Audio Note TT1 and an AR ES1) along with a high mass solid plinth table (Opera LP5).

You are probably asking youself which suspended decks I'm refering to. I'd say a safe statement would be most any new deck that has a base price above $1k would qualify. Older suspended decks, I would estimate a sale price in the $500 range or above (the Systemdek being a notable exception). Obviously I haven't played with every table out there and there are NO absolutes in audio, so those price points should be interpreted as a guide.

....just my two cents

[jmpiwonka]

i'm kinda reading that as the older thorens (maybe besides the td124...) might fall in the tending to sound bloated and slow (is that lacking dynamics). well i did check out a thorens td160 the other day, was going to maybe trade an ampeg v4b i had, for that table plus some cash. i was surprised at how soft the suspension on that table was.

obviously, the suspension is somewhat tuneable, so i'm wondering, if someone spent the time could they tune out the undesirable qualites. maybe adding Linn springs, or tightening the springs up some...taking the foam out of the springs...

[lcrim]

Scott:
You complain of generalizations about suspended decks and then generalize that good suspended decks will kill comparable fixed plinth decks.  Suspended decks require a flexible drive system read belts and all the timing errors that belts introduce.  Direct drive turntables like the Technics 12xx line, simply eliminate timing errors completely.  Not even a contest. 
The OP is now more confused than when the thread began.
Go to the KAB site or call.  The turntables are easy and straightforward to set up.  A few inexpensive mods and they challenge the playback of any reasonable priced TT.  Spend your time and money on listening to vinyl not tweaking an antique.