Townshend Audio Rock 7

The Townshend Rock 7 is no longer available from the manufacturer.  Listing condition as 8, could be 9. Used for 100-200 hours. This is the deluxe version with the Merlin motor and famous damping trough. CART & ARM NOT INCLUDED. Helius arm (new) sold separately. If you meet my price I'll throw in free a dust cover I had custom made. Otherwise dust cover cost $350, will sell for $200.  Buyer pays shipping/fees. Local pickup preferred; I will drive a few hours from NYC.

From The Absolute Sound:

The original Townshend Rock Reference turntable is one of the legends of audio. Unusual and inventive in design, fabulous in sound, but never widely available, the Rock Reference is now a rare collector’s item. Its less expensive successor, the Rock III, also offered extraordinary sound quality and many of the same unique design features (my review is reprinted here. Now the legend continues with the arrival of the Rock 7 and continues unabated: The Rock 7 is one amazing turntable design. Anyone coming anew to Townshend’s design ideas will be immediately intrigued. And everyone, whether familiar with earlier versions or not, will be deeply impressed by the sound.

The current Townshend Mark 7 gives very much the impression of getting what there is to get out of the records. The Rock Mark 7 as it is represents a triumph. I would listen to this turntable before I bought anything at any higher price. ...the Townshend Rock 7 shows what remarkable results can be obtained, not by flinging mass and money at the problem, but by inspired engineering. And some of the sonic virtues of the Rock 7 are otherwise unavailable elsewhere at any price.