[jakelieb]

I visited with George Merrill at his shop (Analog Emporium) in Memphis on Wednesday and heard about his new turntable.  It was packed up for the trip to CES so didn't get to hear it, but it looks very cool.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/26/new-spin-on-vinyl/

http://www.realturntable.com/

gmanalog.com

Long live vinyl!!!

Jake

[DARTH AUDIO]

Any idea on the price of the table?

Thanks,

Gary

[BobRex]

Jake, did George let you in on any of the details?  Drive type, platter construction....  From the picture it looks like a cork mat, but without the MS center peripheral clamps.

On a side note, does this mean that George is branching out as a "consultant", lending his name to 2 different, but apparently competing products?  I can't see Tony Scillia being too happy about this.

[jakelieb]

Not sure the price (I think he told me $3500), which is a lower price point than the Merrill-Scillia tables.  "The R.E.A.L. Turntable 101" is a non-suspended turntable and was designed by George and is being built in Memphis.

Some of the features include a rubber cork mat, bakelite cellous composite platter (9lb), rubber elastomer Acoustic laminated plinth (14lb), azimuth adjustable energy absorbing tonearm mounting platform, elastomer suspended graphite impregnated nylon spindle bearing, elastomer suspended synchronous motor, outboard power supply, and 3 point elastomer mounted adjustable inverted hemispherical feet.

The brochure, first one out of the box, states "The result is a dramatic elevation in the resolution and music realism of all past non-suspended designs."

Jake

[Toka]

Awesome! I will keep tabs on this one for sure. I always thought the M-S 'tables were cool but were way off my price radar. This one is more like it.

[TONEPUB]

I wish I could get paid serious money every time one of these guys makes an outrageous claim like this.  Sorry, but when it comes to turntables, there's nothing new, revolutionary or proprietary under the sun.

It's a platter, a bearing a motor and a speed control.  Pretty basic hardware.  That's not to say that there aren't a thousand variations on the theme and some sound markedly better than others, but the best turntables (and usually the most expensive) get their sound advantage from a combination of mass, exotic materials and extra care in machining/assembly etc.

There's really no secret sauce here.  UGH.  And there certainly isn't going to be something for $3500 that is going to eclipse the worlds finest turntables. I'll bet my life on that.

[JakeLA]

I wish I could get paid serious money every time one of these guys makes an outrageous claim like this.  Sorry, but when it comes to turntables, there's nothing new, revolutionary or proprietary under the sun.

It's a platter, a bearing a motor and a speed control.  Pretty basic hardware.  That's not to say that there aren't a thousand variations on the theme and some sound markedly better than others, but the best turntables (and usually the most expensive) get their sound advantage from a combination of mass, exotic materials and extra care in machining/assembly etc.

There's really no secret sauce here.  UGH.  And there certainly isn't going to be something for $3500 that is going to eclipse the worlds finest turntables. I'll bet my life on that.

Yeah, I'm sure George Merrill has nothing to contribute to the world of audio reproduction  Unlike that pen salesman whose ridiculous speakers you fawned over in your little webzine. 

[TheChairGuy]

JakeLA,

Jeff/TONEPUB will likely readily admit to being among the lesser diplomatic folks around but let's keep the cutting commentary down a notch in rancor here in the Vinyl Circle.

Don't let this escalate, purdy please gents

John / Facilitator

[Bemopti123]

Tonepub, if the theory of making a turntable is as easy as what you say, then why aren't there more turntable hacks out there who are competing for the same small group of hardcore vinyl lovers? 

Perhaps making turntables is like cooking, there is food and then there are people who make Gourmet stuff.  Perhaps Merrill is the elusive chef of analogue?  Of course there are other brilliant designers such as Simon Yorke etc...  but $3500 from someone who has just released a 13K+ turntable just less than 1 year ago, perhaps his device must be something special. 

Lets keep the vitriolic aspect of commentaries out of a review. 

Paul K

[rcag_ils]

It's a platter, a bearing a motor and a speed control.  Pretty basic hardware.  That's not to say that there aren't a thousand variations on the theme and some sound markedly better than others, but the best turntables (and usually the most expensive) get their sound advantage from a combination of mass, exotic materials and extra care in machining/assembly etc.

I couldn't have agreed more, if Merrill wanted to be a legend, makes and sells something good that's more affordable to the general public, follow the footsteps of Mr. Henry Kloss.

Merrill's just another dude that sells "it's expensive, so it's gotta be good." And I am not sure if it's all that good, it's expensive, that's all I know.

[TomS]

Assuming it comes in at $3500, I see this effort as more of aligning to where VPI has gone in offering the "Classic" at $2500 which is much more accessible price wise to many while offering great performance.

[doug s.]

I couldn't have agreed more, if Merrill wanted to be a legend, makes and sells something good that's more affordable to the general public, follow the footsteps of Mr. Henry Kloss.

Merrill's just another dude that sells "it's expensive, so it's gotta be good." And I am not sure if it's all that good, it's expensive, that's all I know.

if it is as good as the hype, then it's freaking cheap.  knowing what george merril has done in the past, i suspect it will be a killer deck at its price point.  it may even significantly surpass a well set-up empire.  seriously, for a new $3.5k deck, that's an accomplishment, imo.   

ymmv,

doug s.