The Gearhead: Basis Audio 2500 Diamond Signature Turntable First Impression

I'd never heard of Basis Audio, but after spending a couple hours painstakingly assembling and checking out this turntable today, I'm more than familiar. When touching each of the space-age, precision-crafted parts and piecing together this monolith it's a little more clear to me what the price tag reflects.

Armed with a Vector Model 3 arm that sits on a sapphire bearing, and tipped with a fine Japanese Shelter Model 901 MC cartridge, this is not only a serious man's (or woman's) turntable, but will likely go to a home that welcomes some fine fiddling as part of the experience. Once properly setup and dialed in, the magic is apparent. The channel separation is flawless, and the details flow out of speakers like butter.

Speaking of butter, the platter floats like a polished acrylic UFO on "Resonance Anihilators" which are hydraulic feet suspended in a thick silicone oil.

Basis claims to be "The Most Precise Turntables In The World," and after this experience, I might agree with them. Wow.