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During the review process, a reader I'll call Bob emailed me inquiring about my upcoming review of the Scheu Premier II. During our exchange, I asked him to describe some of his experiences and observations with the Premier II so that I could share 'em with readers: If you can, try to get a listen with the Mystic or Boston mat. The Mystic cleared and tightened things up without any ill effects. To me it is almost a must for this table as it took an already great sound even further by a good-sized measure. I currently have the Cartridgeman's Conductor tonearm with his MusicMaker III cartridge (Graham See Reflex phono stage) and recently bought a Denon 103 and a used 47 Labs Shigaraki phono stage.


The Conductor and MMIII is a great combination. It is extremely musical. It is not the end all be all of detail and emotional gusto but it presents the musical whole in such a balanced full way that it doesn't allow the little extras to jump out at you but simply lets you enjoy the music. When people listen to my two-channel system for the first time, they usually start looking for surround sound speakers. They look to the ceilings, walls and appear puzzled when they don't see speakers surrounding them. This is mostly due to the MusicMaker as the effect just isn't there as fully with the Denon.


I've never heard the Denon in another setup so I don't know how great a match it is in comparison, but I can say all the positives I have heard about the cartridge are realized in this combination. By the sound (perhaps a little lean, with a narrow sweet spot), I tend to think there could be improvements with a higher massed arm. Supposedly, the Scheu Classic arm was built for the Denon 103 and is a great matchup if setup properly - and a relative bargain as well.

Other arms I have heard that work well with the table are the Hadcock 242, Morch, Graham 2.2 (newer models) and Schroeder. Cartridges would be the Music Maker, Denon 103 and Jan Allaerts. The idea though is proper arm and cart match up. I have never heard someone mention a good arm and cart match up that did not work with this table. Alternatively, one that worked on another table and not this one. Therefore, I would recommend looking at a price range and finding a known great arm and cart combo there.

Another arm I am thinking about is the RS A1. It is sold through 47 labs and is an odd beast. What I like about it is that it could stand on the shelf next to my current arm since it comes with a bas. I could run two setups. People who have had it or heard it often use the comment "best arm I have ever heard". The Canadian dealer says the same thing. The downside is that it is tricky as hell to use (kind of like setting up the trap in mousetrap). I might get it in the next year or so. Seems the Shelter is a good cartridge on this arm.
When I put together my system, I looked for musicality, neutrality, synergy, and bang for the buck. So with the Scheu (I read an article where another TT manufacturer said that Mr. Scheu had no idea how to price things), to get a comparable table you have to spend a lot more. In its price range, perhaps the Kuzma Stogi would be another option (your own Ed Barker has the Scheu Premier II and has recently been using the Kuzma). I think a great table to compare it to would be the VPI Scoutmaster (same price range and this is a very popular table in the US it seems, for many people this could help put this table in perspective). I have never heard one.
The beauty of the Scheu turntable is that there is no ceiling. It is pretty close to a pure canvas. You can match it up with components that cost 3 times as much and the table is not limiting the potential. To give an idea, the Stabi is great but when you start putting on some arms and carts as you go up the ladder, you find its limitations and weaknesses. There is a limited range where it is comfortable. Therefore, if you stay in the Stabi stratosphere of components, it's a great little table. The
Scheu does not have these limitations. It will sound great with a basic arm and cart (Denon 103 and Classic) all the way up to the esoteric (Schroeder tonearm and Jan Allaerts cart - a number of people have this setup on the Scheu) and the table does not get in the way. I have never read a review or come across someone who felt that a setup just didn't work with this table.

What it doesn't do is add anything to the equation say in the way a Linn does or a refurbished classic. So if you're looking for a certain flavor of sound, you need to go on down the component chain or get a different table. This is also a great point in the Scheu's favor. The components down the line are allowed their place. For example, the 47 labs phono stage is allowed to do what it wants to with the sound. It's not combating a sonic signature of the table. It allows you to peer into the component and see it as it is. It's this transparency that keeps one from always swapping and replacing components to try and pull everything together. This naturalness allows me to get the full beauty of the MM Conductor combo and the Denon 47 labs combination on the same table.

So the Scheu for me does two things well. It is a table to live with that you can safely upgrade around; and to get a better turntable I’d have to spend money that I never would. Secondly, it allows me to move in different directions with other components and not worry how a new component will interact with the table. Living with the Scheu for three years now, it's the one component I haven't thought of upgrading or trying something different. I just don't see the point.