Oracle Turntables

[lsupro]

Anyone here have one and any pictures of it? Are they still made and is there a site that has info onthem.

If you have one, what has been your experience?

Have you compared them to Clear Audio? Rega? Project?

thanks!

[michael w]

AFAIK they are still being made.

http://www.oracle-audio.com/delphi/index.html


Haven't compared with the brands you list but did hear an earlier Delphi v. Linn v. SOTA Sapphire v. Well Tempered many years ago.

It was noticeably better than the Linn and SOTA but not quite as good as the Well Tempered.


cheerio

[aashton]

Hi Bill

Well now that you mention it I have a little experience with some of the decks that you mention:D I have an Oracle delphi and think it is a very fine deck and more than capable of delivering an enjoyable musical experience and I also have a Rega and £ for £ (or $ for $) think it is a great way into the world of vinyl and is not embarrased by anything out there that I have heard. My day to day deck is currently the Clearaudio whch to my ears has the edge over the Oracle but that is just a personal thing and I could imagine others plumping for the Oracle. Oracle are still very much alive and kicking as Michael pointed out and older decks can be upgraded and there is also a maintenance kit with various springs and other pieces available to ease setup.

All the best - Andrew

[Claus]

They still look beautiful...

[Patrick]

I have a Delphi. Some years ago ( 10 or 15? ) the motor started running slow, at that particular time there was NO support available, and the company was on very shaky ground. All the US dealers said dealing with Oracle was always "difficult" Never did get it fixed, justs sits in my listening room looking good. Went out and bought a Linn.
At one point a few years back not many turntable companies looked to have ANY chance of survival, and many did go under, at least temporarily. The pendulum has swung the other way for now, and I feel there are WAY TOO MANY manufacturers out there now, not all of them will be around indefinitely.
From that standpoint, there are only a few brands I would consider. If you need parts ten or twenty years down the road, how many of these companies will still be there?????? If it was me I would limit my selection to either Linn or VPI (maybe a very few others) for the reasons above.
And since you live in the US the scales should inch slightly towards the VPI.
I like VPI's easy and relatively inexpensive upgrades, and everything tends to be "modular" and owner friendly as far as upgrades and repairs. You can do most all of it yourself.
As far as the tables you mentioned:
Rega has been around quite a while, too and has an excellent reputation. Clearaudio is a relative newcomer, at least in the states, as is Project. Project and Rega are very different beasts from the Oracle as far as price and performance are concerned: (I know nothing about the Clearaudio products ) to use an automotive metaphor, you are comparing Ford's to a Ferarri. Pat.

[lsupro]

So is an Oracle THAT much better to warrant the drastic increase in price?

[michael w]

If you mean increase in price over the Pro-Jects and Regas ....yes, the Oracle is in an all together different league of performance.

The only Rega comparable with an Oracle Delphi would be a new Rega 9 ($3500USD).

The Rega being a simpler design and not as easily upgradeable with arms outside the Rega family.


cheerio

[Patrick]

Originally posted by lsupro
So is an Oracle THAT much better to warrant the drastic increase in price?

The ultimate "HIGH END" question.
Do $1,000 speaker cables sound 10 times better than a $100 pair?
Does a $60,000 pair of speakers sound THAT MUCH better than a pair costing $6000, or even $600?
There are many variables including compatability with your other components. There are times when the inexpensive cables are "better" sounding in a given system than the astronomically expensive set.
Likewise amps, speakers, transports, etc. etc.
In audio there is a point you cross where slight additional performance costs huge additional money.
Same with high end cars, watches, cameras, clothing, perfume,you name it.
Small production runs, small companies catering to a very limited (elite)customer base, limited demand, opulent materials and spectacular build quality, all these things add greatly to final selling price. And sometimes the high price is added without any reason at all just so the product is perceived to be superior! And that works too, as anyone with marketing experience will tell you. (especially high end cable marketing)
It is largely a question of personal taste and economics. ( and status! )
Rolls Royce, Rolex, Rockport...... people do buy this stuff and are quite pleased with it.
As for the Oracle, do you need to spend that much using ONLY sound as the measuring gauge? No. Throw in the eye candy factor and the price is a little more reasonable, if looks are important to you. Brand name recognition is another factor you may be paying for.
Only you can decide your priorities here.
As I said in an earlier post, I personally would look elsewhere unless the look is as important as the sound. A VPI Aries is probably less than half the cost of the Delphi and is probably "as good" sounding, maybe better, depending on your tastes and the rest of your system. Same may go for some tables that cost even less than the VPI.....

[lsupro]

Good points all of you. Thanks!

[Patrick]

Me Again:
Make no mistake, a sizable part of your Oracle spent dollar is going for the looks. Beauty, in this case has it's cost.
I am pushing VPI because I think it has the most good points going for it.
Just so you know, I am in no way affiliated with VPI or anyone who sells them. Do not even own one.... yet, but I do own a dysfunctional Oracle, see earlier post. I also own a Linn, my "main" table, and a Technics SP-10.
The Linn is in some ways the anti-Oracle. The plain Jane looks on the outside are counterbalanced by exquisite machine work where it really counts: the bearing and the platter, which to a machinist IS a work of art.
Just look at the underside of a Linn LP-12 platter sometime. I hope to get a TNT someday, not just now though. My main arguement, again, is what happens after it is home and paid for. Parts, upgrades, customer support.
If (when) the turntable market takes another downswing, how many of the "players" in this business will be left standing and healthy and able to provide you with parts and service on your very expensive investment?
Choose wisely...... Pat.

[lsupro]

Thanks again Patrick!

I do love the look of the Oracle. Just beautiful...

That is not the most important factor though..

[akshobhyavajra]

Originally posted by Patrick


The ultimate "HIGH END" question.
Do $1,000 speaker cables sound 10 times better than a $100 pair?
Does a $60,000 pair of speakers sound THAT MUCH better than a pair costing $6000, or even $600?
....etc

Patrick,

Personally I think that a point of diminishing return may well be reached not only in audio, but also in any hobby. Automobile racing, motorcycling, etc et al probably all reach a level, which goes beyond the "big bang for the buck". The most expensive speakers I've heard were Wilson WATT Puppies, yet personally I found Dunlavy SC IVs more palatable. Much of course had to do with room treatment, system synergy, etc. I am certain that the Wilsons would sound quite astonishing in the proper setting.

Super high end, I believe is more an issue of prestige, since half million dollar plus systems tend to be out of reach for the average income (say $60 - 100 k / year single; $120 - 200 K joined) household. That's OK, though - if you can afford it - why not.

In the meantime, back on planet earth I am really quite content with my little analog rig. In the final analysis any system that gets your attention and causes you to listen intently is certainly a goal well met, regardless of cost. If the sonic reproduction stirs your emotions the essence of music - IMO - has been conveyed effectively. Is this not the reason for our passion after all?

For the music,

~Michael~

[Patrick]

Bill: How much does an Oracle Delphi cost these days?
And: are they offered with an arm, if so which?

[Patrick]

Michael:
I agree completely. One of the nicest systems I've ever heard cost maybe $3,000 total. Beard tube gear with fairly small Celestion speakers.
Listened to a great recording of Mahlers second symphony on it, (Simon Rattle and the CBSO) the imaging and sense of presence were enough to cause chills up the spine. Awesome sound and a sense of the hall like few other systems I have heard.
The most disappointing system I have ever heard had a price tag of well over $100,000. Avalon speakers and VERY, VERY expensive electronics.
Have loved every other pair of Avalons I have ever heard, but in this system, well, awful. The $3000 system blew it away in every respect, except low bass.
A high price tag is certainly not a guarantee of great sound. Pat.

[lsupro]

Originally posted by Patrick
Bill: How much does an Oracle Delphi cost these days?
And: are they offered with an arm, if so which?

Somewhere between 4 and 10 thousand depending on options, tonearm, cartridge, finish...plus tt&l, all rebates to dealer, not in conjunction with any other offer....

[Gary]

Hmmm. Really? That 'spensive!

Maybe I should take another look at the $2K used Oracle that I saw the other day..... upgraded arm, new springs and all it needs is a cartridge.

The owner traded it in for a Rega - something simpler and less finicky!

On second thought - maybe not.

[aashton]

Originally posted by Gary
Maybe I should take another look at the $2K used Oracle that I saw the other day..... upgraded arm, new springs and all it needs is a cartridge.

The owner traded it in for a Rega - something simpler and less finicky!

On second thought - maybe not.

I'd have a look at it Gary - they are very pretty :D :laugh:

&ru

[Gary]

Oh, right you are, Aashton! I bounced it a bit, swung the tone arm a bit... and almost fainted when I heard the price ~ without cartridge!

I suppose if I had tons of vinyl it might be worth it. But my Ariston is still going and serving me well.... !

[lsupro]

Originally posted by Gary
Hmmm. Really? That 'spensive!

Maybe I should take another look at the $2K used Oracle that I saw the other day..... upgraded arm, new springs and all it needs is a cartridge.

The owner traded it in for a Rega - something simpler and less finicky!

On second thought - maybe not.

Don't tell me where it is.... It'll cause a divorce between me and my lovely bride.

[Gary]

No problem, Bill.

Just do NOT drive up Bayvew Ave., past Hwy 7, turn right into.... 'd'Oh! Nevermind! ;)

Besides, 2K Canadian is a whopping $1.98 US. Who can afford that? ;)

[RetroSmith]

I remember an A/B test at a stereo store about 5 years ago.

They A/B 'd a 10,000 Cd player against a special one Radio Shack was selling for 120$

They had a switch and played 30 seconds of one, then 30 seconds of the other. They did that 3 times, then we got to vote which sounded better, "A" or "B"

Guess what?

:))