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Tag Archives: Turn Tables

World News

Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable Review

Posted on by Byron Baba

I had two turntable goals at the beginning of this year. The first was to find a reasonably priced turntable to review. The second was to be able to play the 78 rpm records that I inherited a number of years ago. I have not played any 78s since I was a very young child. I hit the jackpot when I encountered the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable, which is both reasonably priced and can play at 78 rpm.

Music Hall, LLC, founded in April, 1985, manufactures, imports, and distributes affordably  priced audio components. Their products are widely available. They offer a complete line of turntables from entry level all the way to top of the line flagship models. Music Hall also distributes a wide assortment of electronics, phono cartridges, and accessories from other brands.

The Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable came with an Audio-Technica AT-3600L phono cartridge and a built-in phono stage, so you can plug this unit right into any integrated amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers — basically anything with analog line level inputs and volume control. Very easy and very plug-and-play.

I was impressed with the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable when I first opened the box. This did not look like a $350 entry-level turntable. Based on the price, I thought the mmf-1.3 would compete with my Goldring turntable, which is a Rega Planar 2 clone that was in fact distributed by Music Hall 17 years ago. This unit looks comparable to the Goldring, although I like the fact that it has four feet. My Goldring only has three feet so it does not seem to be as stable. I also like the detachable headshell. The tonearm was much easier to set up than my Goldring. Even the anti-skating adjustment was easy to use, making this a great choice if you have never owned a turntable before. Detachable cables are provided and the power supply unit is also detachable. The only drawback is the platter is a little light. Everything was packed nicely for shipping including double boxing the turntable.

A nice appearance is one thing, but does it perform playing records? I have often said the primary job of a turntable is to get out of the way of the music and add as little sound to the music as possible by isolating itself from any noise and having the speed as accurate as possible. It is not the turntable’s job to make your records sound musical as some companies may advertise. That is the job of the artist. Any enhancement of the music tells me that the turntable is just adding a coloration by running slightly off speed or by having poor isolation, which may make the music sound lively or rich. These are colorations that really mean your turntable is not functioning as it should. Watch the outstanding video by Edgar Vilchur, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOlAua3tBSw to get an insight on the function of a turntable. The man in the video (Vilchur), along with Mitch Cotter, designed the original AR turntable, which my main turntable is based on, as are a number of others from manufacturers including Thorens, Linn, SOTA and Oracle. This is why I continue to use both my AR The AR Turntable and my Thorens TD-147. I do not want to spend more money on a turntable that may not be as enjoyable.

The Audio-Technica AT-3600L was already installed and aligned, which makes this an obvious plug and play unit. Assembling everything was fairly straightforward. I did double check the alignment. You still have to set the tracking force yourself, which is fairly easy. The counter weight measurements were the same as my scale. I first listened for how quiet the motor on the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable is, which is very important for the enjoyment of listening to records. The motor was very quiet from my listening area, even standing next to the turntable it was silent. I checked the speed accuracy with my strobe and template and it was accurate. This turntable does give you the ability to adjust the speed. Isolation from outside vibrations and interference was better than most inexpensive turntables, such as my Goldring. The turntable had very little noise when I touched the turntable base or tonearm. Both my AR and Thorens turntables also do not have this issue. Remember this is a $350 turntable, so there are some cost constraints.

I connected the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable using the built-in phono stage to an inexpensive 2-channel receiver. This was used with a pair of Paradigm home theater speakers. This stereo system would be comparable to those of a number of music lovers entering the record playing world for the first time. All records had been cleaned with one of my vacuum record cleaning machines.

I played different genres of music, such as Hiroshima, Georg Friedrich Händel, and Steely Dan. I was pleasantly surprised how good everything sounded. The Audio-Technica AT-3600L did not seem to need much break-in time. Everything worked well straight out of the box. The Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable combined with the built-in phono stage and the Audio-Technica AT-3600L phono cartridge provided a very pleasant sound and an enjoyable listening experience. There was not much record surface noise, which I normally would expect with such an inexpensive turntable. I could not hear any inner groove distortion no matter which record I played. This could be because the tracking was excellent. This inexpensive phono cartridge was quite a bit better than I had expected and I felt it integrated well with the turntable. If there are any errors, they are of omission, so you get that nice vinyl sound that only records can provide. The turntable is good enough that, down the road, you could improve things with a better phono cartridge, such as a Sumiko Rainier or an Audio Technica AT-VM95E, or even a different phono stage. My comparably priced Goldring turntable really benefited from upgrading to a Talisman moving coil phono cartridge, which most people would consider overkill. The Music Hall turntable’s built-in phono stage was also quite good. There was no noise and when playing records you may forget the phono stage is there. I did play a variety records so I could see how it compared with my other turntables.

The Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable also has the ability to play 78 rpm records. The first thing you need to have when playing older 78 records is a 78 rpm stylus with a diameter of 3 mil. for shellac records (pre-1958) and a stylus with a diameter of .6 mil for 78 rpm vinyl records. The 78s I had all were shellac and looked very fragile.

I inquired with a couple of online sources with questions and https://www.turntableneedles.com/  immediately replied. This is the company that I purchased my Nagaoka phono cartridge from (reviewed last year). This online company is a wonderful source of both information and record playing products. I was able to purchase a 3 mil. conical stylus designed to play 78s and could insert the stylus right into the Audio Technica AT-3600L phono cartridge. This made swapping out the stylus easy, so that I would not have to swap phono cartridges every time I wanted to play a different record format. I do want to mention one thing. I was notified that my 78 stylus was delivered; however, it was not in my PO Box. After hearing about this issue, turntableneedles.com offered to replace the stylus at no charge. This is why I stress the importance of good customer service. The stylus ended up in another person’s box by mistake and that person returned the stylus to the post office so they could put it in my PO Box. This is why I do not like to deal with an email only company that may not return my inquiries if there is a problem. This is why I prefer to buy from a company with a telephone number.

Playing records on a daily basis does require more effort than streaming. It is worth it to me because the sound is so wonderful. On this note, when playing 78 rpm records, it was a pain having to change the record after only about 3 to 4 minutes of music. This is why I rarely play 45 rpm records. The 78s were decent and the musical content of these records did intrigue me. I may start listening a little more in the future, however, I am not sure the sound and effort will be worth it for most people, even hardcore record collectors. My publisher did tell me the quality of 78 rpm were not up to the standards of most people that regularly play records.

I consider the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable better than my Goldring turntable. There are a number of advantages to the Music Hall, such as the detachable headshell, making it easier to change phono cartridges. Also changing the speed is much easier because you don’t have to remove the platter. There is also an annoying thump when I turn off the Goldring turntable, even when the volume is set to zero. The Music Hall does not make any noise when it is turned off. The Music Hall also has better isolation and is much more user friendly.

Yes, both my AR “The AR Turntable” and my Thorens TD-147 are much better turntables. This is really not a fair comparison considering the used prices of these turntables may now be well over $1,000, if you want to look for a used one. I would be very careful about buying a turntable off eBay or Craigslist unless you play a record on it first to make sure it works properly. I found the problems of purchasing a non-functioning/non-repairable turntable off the internet the hard way. Why have these problems when you can buy a brand new turntable with a full warranty that is ready to play records for $350? Later you can buy a better phono cartridge if you want to improve the sound of your records.

I mentioned that Music Hall was started back in 1985. The fact that they are still around with a complete line of turntables and accessories tells you something about the dedication of Roy Hall, the president of Music Hall, to continuously improve their line of offerings. Music Hall and their authorized dealers continue to provide you with outstanding customer service.

Even though this turntable is a simple plug and play unit with everything ready to go, I still recommend purchasing it from your local authorized dealer. It is nice to have hands-on advice in case you have questions about setting up the turntable. You still need to set the tracking force. Your dealer can also be a great resource if or when you need to replace or upgrade the phono cartridge. The prices are the same and this ensures that, if you have any problems, they can be addressed right away. There are Music Hall authorized dealers all over the United States, so it is not necessary for most consumers to purchase this product online.

There are reputable online companies. I have used turntableneedle.com a number of times over the years and have always had great customer service. This would be my go to online source for products such as replacement belts, headshells, phono cartridges, and numerous other turntable accessories.

I really like the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable, so I decided to purchase the review sample. I want a turntable to occasionally play my 78 rpm records and this fits the bill nicely. Even though I will be using this turntable almost exclusively for my 78s, it is good enough to recommend for use in a nice entry-level stereo system.

I highly recommend the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable to anyone thinking about purchasing a turntable and getting started listening to records. The performance of this unit combined with the price of $350 makes this turntable an absolute bargain. This may be the best under $500 turntable, unless you move up to the Music Hall mmf-1.5 turntable.

 

Copy editor: Dan Rubin

The post Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable Review appeared first on Dagogo.

World News

Audio-Technica introduces upgraded AT-LP5X High-Performance Turntable

Posted on by Dagogo Staff

The following is a press release from Audio-Technica.

 

STOW, OH, August 12, 2021 — Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its AT-LP5X Direct Drive Turntable, offering upgraded technology and performance while keeping the sleek contemporary styling of the previous AT-LP5. The new AT-LP5X builds upon more than 50 years of Audio-Technica’’s Japanese analog audio design expertise to deliver outstanding record playback quality.

“Our AT-LP5X incorporates a wealth of improved features including a switchable moving magnet/moving coil phono preamp, a better cartridge, an outboard power supply and even the ability to play 78 RPM records,” noted Bob Peet, Audio-Technica U.S. Product Manager. “These upgrades are included at no increase in price, making the AT-LP5X an exceptional value as well.”

The AT-LP5X features a precision low-noise direct-drive motor system that provides accurate, stable playback of 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM records. It features the classic J-shaped tonearm of the Audio-Technica turntables of the 1960s and 1970s, a design that minimizes tracking error. The tonearm features a gimbal suspension system and precision bearings for smooth, quiet performance, and includes an adjustable counterweight and anti-skating control.

The tonearm comes pre-mounted with a removable AT-HS6 headshell and new AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet cartridge, which offers outstanding stereo separation and imaging along with superior resolution of musical detail, a smooth frequency response and powerful dynamics. The cartridge is easily removable should the user choose to upgrade.

The turntable’’s built-in phono preamp can be switched to either moving magnet or moving coil operation, enabling the use of premium moving coil cartridges, or to line-level output, enabling the AT-LP5X to be used with a computer, powered speakers, receivers and other components that don’’t have a dedicated phono input. The AT-LP5X also offers a USB output for direct connection to a computer.

Additional refinements include a die-cast, machined and balanced aluminum platter with a 5 mm rubber damping mat, a turntable base that is constructed using anti-vibration damping materials and heavy-mass metal chassis inserts, and an outboard power supply that reduces unwanted electrical noise. The AT-LP5X comes with a removable dust cover, RCA audio connecting cables, a USB cable and a 45 RPM adapter.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Direct Drive Turntable will be available in August 2021 at a suggested retail price of US$449.00.

 

Celebrating over 50 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality personal and professional audio equipment. Founded in Japan in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the company made its name by manufacturing state-of-the-art phonograph cartridges and tonearms. Today, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group of companies devoted to creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers, turntables, phono cartridges and other electronic products.

A reputation for quality, durability, performance and value has made Audio-Technica products the first choice for many of today’’s top musical artists and audio engineers, and for discerning listeners everywhere. Drawing from its audiophile heritage, Audio-Technica remains dedicated to providing music enthusiasts with great-sounding, innovative audio gear, including the award-winning QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling headphones, popular ATH-M50x monitor headphones, versatile USB microphones, and new Hi-Res Audio headphones and high-fidelity gaming headsets. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com.

 

Product Gallery:

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World News

Acoustic Research The AR Turntable (Commentary)

Posted on by Byron Baba

My esteemed colleague David Blumenstein at Dagogo found it interesting that I have been using my Acoustic Research “The AR turntable” combined with a Sumiko Premier MMT tonearm for longer than the 36 years I have been married. He asked me to write about my experience with this turntable.

The turntable was purchased brand new from GNP Audio in Pasadena in November 1983. They had a fine young turntable technician named Brooks Berdan who mounted a Sumiko Premier MMT (Jelco sourced) tonearm, making the turntable more compatible with a variety of low-compliance phono cartridges, such as the Talisman moving coil cartridge line.

I used the turntable for about 20 years when the motor started making a really noisy grinding sound. I heard this was a common problem with AR turntable motors. Something had to be done, so I inquired about replacing the motor, which, including installation, would run several hundred dollars if I was fortunate enough to buy the right motor. I also contemplated buying a brand new turntable. I had actually narrowed down the choice to either a VPI Scout with JMW Memorial tonearm or a Clearaudio Champion Level 1 with a Rega tonearm. I could purchase either one for under $1,500. But I had four kids getting ready to start college and so my priorities were elsewhere.

The internet provided me with another solution: lubricating the motor with sewing machine oil. My wife shops a lot at Jo Ann’s and they carry sewing machine oil. However, I was self-conscious about one of my neighbors from Simi Valley seeing me in the store. I decided to bring my teenage daughter along and I would just say I was there shopping for her. I found Singer sewing machine oil and with the coupon discount the price came to $1.59.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing, so I just poured what seemed like a lot of oil down the motor bearing well and hoped for the best. When I turned the turntable on, I was afraid of either a big puff of smoke or a large puddle of oil underneath. The turntable started rotating and to my pleasant surprise the loud grinding noise started to disappear. A $1.59 sewing machine oil completely fixed the problem.

I now oil the motor bearings at least once a year. I also use a liberal amount of oil on the sub-platter bearings at the same time. I replace the belt maybe every 5 years. This has kept my AR turntable running smoothly and the bearings and motor are dead quiet after all of these years despite the extensive use I give the table. I will admit that as much as I like this turntable, I have not been 100% loyal to it. I have had an office relationship with a Goldring turntable for 13 years. Even in my home, I have enjoyed my Thorens TD-147 turntable and found it to be the equivalent of the AR, especially when combined with the Grado Prestige Silver phono cartridge. So unlike with my wife, whom I have been loyal to for the past 36 years, I have fooled around with a number of other turntables.

My favorite phono cartridge with AR turntable has been the Hana EH. I also really enjoyed the Grado Platinum phono cartridge, which is interesting because, unlike the Hana, this is a fairly high-compliance cartridge. The Sumiko Talisman S and Talisman A low-output moving coils were my first foray with this turntable and they were also favorites.

Unfortunately, you now have to go to the used market to buy this turntable. There are also the even more refined AR ES-1 and the AR ETL-1, which are improved versions of The AR Turntable that I have. I honestly feel that any of these turntables when properly running would satisfy anyone looking for this type of belt drive turntable. There are other turntables based on the Acoustic Research turntable that not only cost a lot more but seem to require a lifetime of spending thousands of dollars on improvements. Using a blind test, I doubt if most people would deem that worth the additional cost or effort.

There is risk in buying the Acoustic Research The AR turntable and the more upscale ES-1 or ETL-1. These turntables are well over 30 years old and they may not have been properly maintained. Replacement parts are limited and expensive. Also, you may need a competent technician to balance the springs or replace the motor.

The other option would be to purchase one of the many fine turntables now available for under $2,000. The Pro-Ject X1 turntable with Sumiko Olympia phono cartridge that I reviewed last month would be a great example. If this seems like a lot of money, I will say that if you enjoy listening to records everyday like I do, a quality turntable enhances the pleasure. When you figure how many computers, laptops, cell phones, and other tech products you have purchased over the years and then had to replace because they became obsolete. A $1,000 turntable purchase that can last a lifetime is a pretty good investment.

This quarantine may not be ending for a while, so why not hunker down with a new turntable and listen to some records? This will make the quarantine more bearable.

 

 

Copy editor: Dan Rubin

 

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World News

Pro-Ject Audio Systems X1 turntable with Sumiko Olympia cartridge Review

Posted on by Byron Baba

“Vinyl is making a comeback.” I hear or read this statement all the time. When anyone says this to me, I always reply, “To me it never left.” I must have missed something because I have been playing records continuously since I was a teenager, especially for the past 20 years. I have been using the same turntable almost daily for the past 37 years and, before I retired, I even had a turntable that I used regularly in my office at work. I miss browsing records at the Tower Records Classical Annex on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

My AR “The AR Turntable” was purchased new from GNP in 1983. They had a fine young turntable technician named Brooks Berdan who mounted a Sumiko Premier MMT tonearm on it, making the turntable more compatible with a variety of low-compliance phono cartridges such as the Talisman moving coil. I also own a Thorens TD-147 (Thorens TD-160 Super with a tonearm and auto-stop), which is used in our family room. The AR and the Thorens are my favorite turntables. I feel newer turntable offerings under $1,000 are nowhere close in build or performance to these two. While my Goldring (Rega Planar 2 clone) turntable was a bargain at a little over $300, it is not in the same league as the AR or the Thorens. Enter the Pro-Ject X1 turntable complete with tonearm and phono cartridge.

According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, the X1 is based on the same concept as its predecessor the P1 but is improved in every aspect thanks to modern materials and new production methods. It houses a sophisticated DC/AC generator board, which, combined with the convenient speed control board, delivers clean and stable power to the quiet-running motor. For even further improved performance, the motor is decoupled from the main plinth using a new motor suspension system. On the X1, the motor drives a new heavy, non-resonant acrylic platter via a sub-platter drive system and a premium-grade main bearing for liquid smooth rotation. The X1 also betters its predecessors thanks to the super-stiff, perfectly tempered carbon/aluminum sandwich construction tonearm. This new 8.6” tonearm design is incredibly light and stiff, with improved resistance to external interference. Finished as a one-piece, with no resonance-inducing headshell, the X1 can be set for azimuth and VTA adjustment. The tonearm is supplied with a TPE-damped counterweight, further reducing cartridge-tonearm resonances.

Sumiko Audio Systems now pre-installs and aligns a Sumiko Olympia phono cartridge to simplify the setup. The Olympia cartridge offers a user-replaceable stylus and can be easily upgraded to the Sumiko Moonstone by just replacing the stylus. The X1 is also supplied with the “Connect It E” cable, a semi-balanced, low-capacitance cable with superior shielding optimized for turntable use.

What was readily apparent was how different the design of this turntable is from my AR and Thorens. The only thing they seem to have in common is that they are all belt drive turntables. The AR and Thorens use a similar three-point spring suspension with a heavy cast aluminum platter. The Pro-Ject X1 has an acrylic platter and no suspension. The Pro-Ject tonearm is straight as opposed to my AR turntable’s MMT S-shaped tonearm (the Thorens arm is also straight). The Pro-Ject X1 arm has a fixed headshell, as most arms do these days. However, I prefer a detachable headshell because I rotate cartridges often and a detachable headshell allows me to do so much more easily. Changing speed on the X1 from 33 rpm to 45 rpm or back to 33 rpm is achieved with a simple push of a button. Blue lights light up when the correct speed is achieved — a really nice feature.

AR “The AR” Turntable

Thorens TD-147

The primary job of the turntable is to get out of the way of the music and add or subtract as little to the sound to the music as possible by isolating the turntable from noise and having the speed as accurate as possible. I always get a kick out of comments on the internet about how great a turntable sounds even though it may have speed or rumble issues. A turntable running slightly fast may make the music sound lively; however, this is a coloration that, however pleasing, should not be there. Poor isolation can actually help create a pleasing coloration that also should not be there. There is an outstanding video by Edgar Vilchur [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOlAua3tBSw] that does a great job of explaining the function of a turntable. Edgar Vilchur and Mitch Cotter designed the original AR turntable, which a number of manufacturers have used as the basis for their turntable designs, including Thorens, Linn, SOTA, Oracle, and others. My AR turntable is quiet and the speed is still accurate even with the heavy amount of usage over the years. Records played have very little if any surface noise. These are my standards for what I consider a quality turntable and are the basis for this turntable review.

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World News

Pro-Ject announces new Debut Carbon Evolution turntable

Posted on by Dagogo Staff

The following is a press release from Rotel.

The Brand is Thrilled to Launch an Updated and Refined Version of Their Most Beloved Turntable Design

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evolution in Satin Gold

MISTELBACH, AUSTRIA– August 17, 2020 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems is excited to unveil the new Debut Carbon Evolution turntable as an addition to its critically-acclaimed Debut Collection. The new product features the brand’s famous one-piece carbon fiber tonearm technology, electronic speed selection, suspension elements from the EISA award winning X1, and a factory mounted Sumiko Rainier phono cartridge.

From the very beginning, Pro-Ject has believed in the power of analog music. From the mid-1990s, at the height of the CD, Pro-Ject gained a global reputation for their phenomenal sound quality and premium build at an affordable price. After more than 20 years, The Debut is one of the best-selling products in the history of hi-fi, with close to one million units sold. The Debut made listening to vinyl an affordable option for music lovers, and thanks to its minimalist aesthetic and premium finish options, it also helped to make analogue fashionable again. The Debut series sets a new standard for value and performance with the new Debut Carbon Evolution.

Available in a range of nine finish options, including varieties of eight-coat, hand-painted high-gloss, beautiful matte pastel colours, or elegant walnut veneer. Debut Carbon Evolution was made to suit any home environment, allowing the passion for music on quality vinyl to take center stage. The Debut Carbon Evolution will be available through all authorized Pro-Ject dealers for orders in the US market beginning in September, retailing for $499 USD. More information can be found here: https://pro-jectusa.com/product/debut-carbon-evolution

DEBUT CARBON EVOLUTION FEATURES INCLUDE:

  • 8.6″ one-piece Carbon Fiber tonearm, integrated headshell
  • Low-friction precision sapphire tonearm bearings
  • Sumiko Rainier phono cartridge, factory mounted, and precision aligned (United States only)
  • Heavy 1.7kg die cast aluminum platter w/ TPE Damping
  • Electronic Speed Selection for 33&45 RPM (78 capable)
  • TPE-damped motor suspension
  • Premium gold-plated, chassis-mount RCA jacks
  • One-piece continuous run, high purity copper internal tonearm wiring, shielded termination box
  • Height adjustable TPE-damped aluminum leveling feet
  • Hinged adjustable dust cover included
  • Two Year parts and labor warranty
  • Connect it E phono cable with attached external ground wire
  • Multi-voltage power supply

Debut Carbon Evolution Walnut with feltmat

Debut Carbon Evolution in High Gloss Red

ABOUT PRO-JECT

Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded by one of Austria’s leading high-end audio distributors, Heinz Lichtenegger, in early 1991. A genuine music lover and a dyed-in-the-wool audiophile, Heinz challenged the common “cost-no-object” approach to analog audio equipment by manufacturing turntables, tonearms, and accessories at a reasonable price without compromising build quality or sonic performance. With his passion for high-end audio fueling a desire to take a familiar industry in a new direction, Heinz proceeded to use Pro-Ject Audio Systems as a locomotive to bring high-end gear to the masses.  By adhering to that philosophy while still only using quality electronic components that deliver sound that far exceeds their stature, the engineers at Pro-Ject redefined what is possible in high-end audio and proven that great things do come in small packages.

ABOUT SUMIKO

For nearly 30 years, SUMIKO has brought the finest high-end audio products to North America from around the globe.  From its humble beginnings as a phono cartridge importer, Sumiko has carefully selected like-minded partners and now distributes Pro-ject Audio, Sonus faber, Rotel, Sumiko Phono Cartridges and Bassocontinuo audio racks to assemble a complete reference-quality premium audio system. Sumiko is a proud member of the McIntosh Group, where progress and tradition are not mutually exclusive concepts, but rather a synergistic sum of parts which exceed their individual identities.

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World News

Audio Note UK TT3 turntable system Review

Posted on by Richard Austen

Vinyl is alive in 2020 and records have made a strong comeback over the last several years. Unlike CD, SACD, or computer audio, I have always felt that turntables require a certain level of mechanical quality to play them back properly.  While on audio forums I would often read that vinyl was better than digital but my experience never mirrored the lore when I would audition budget LP spinners. Indeed, my experience was generally a mixed bag of sonic performance. Due to the nature of turntables it seemed to me that they rely on so many things to be correct or there is a good chance the sound will often be charitably called so-so.

The problem for those of us who largely grew up on the CD format we would read all these vinyl-phile exaltations, largely on forums, exclaiming that every $400 turntable would trounce CD players at 10 times the price. It wasn’t the case in my experience. Back in the late 1980s I went with CD and dumped my vinyl collection. The $400ish turntables from the usual suspects did very little to sway me back especially considering the numerous issues associated with vinyl replay such as noisy tables with some speed issues, bad pressings, surface noise and compressed phono stages and of course the difficulty to set the things up to avoid excessive inner groove distortion or channel imbalance.  And when you got all of these things correct – you would often not get performance that beat a good CD player.

More than a decade later, circa 2001, I had a transformative experience listening to vinyl. This time, however, it was on a world class turntable, the Voyd Reference. The Voyd Reference was Terry Crabbe’s personal turntable, owner of Soundhounds located in Victoria British Columbia and when I met him he reminded me of a man who never left the 1960s hippie generation. His shop was unlike any other high end dealer I had seen. Firstly, they allowed dogs.  Secondly, they never pushed you into making quick decisions. Stay, listen for hours and go home and have a think about it. Come back and try something else but the store always had a big selection of vinyl to play.

Terry demonstrated vinyl on the Voyd Reference (which would later become the Audio Note’s first version of the TT3).  He was not trying to sell me on it because it was well beyond my means. However, the demonstration was an eye opener to what was possible with the oversized black coasters. Terry’s turntable was vastly superior to the other tables by no small margin. That is saying something as the store carried some well known players. However, it was the Voyd that was “special.”  The problem of course was trying to get the sound of the 5 figure turntable for 3 or low 4 figures.

With my university beer budget I dabbled with second hand Duals, Rega’s and even my dad’s Fisher.  But none of these were providing me the “promise of vinyl.” The NAD 533 (Rega P2 Clone) with Rega’s 250 arm and Shure M97xE cartridge wasn’t sounding better than my modest Cambridge Audio CD 6.  I would hear hints of what the Voyd Reference was doing – but only hints.  It merely teased at what could be. My record collection had grown to a little over 500 and with the middling performance I had once again contemplated chucking it all. I was not likely to be able to afford something as nice as the Voyd Reference and I was not hearing the “magic” with such players. Furthermore, I was not hearing that magic from players in the $2,000 range either.

On a subsequent to Soundhounds they demonstrated the Audio Note UK TT2 – I was impressed.  This had the tactile speed and lightness of touch of the Voyd – it had the nimble bounce and energy of the Voyd – well – almost. The TT2 sounded more transparent and “locked in” in terms of pace. It had energy and pizzazz where some of the store’s high mass turntables sounded bloodless and overly polite to me in comparison.  I was drawn to the sound of the TT2 over some dearer turntables from Linn, Clearaudio, and Oracle.

Audio Note UK TT-2 Deluxe

I bought the TT2 turntable. The TT2 stands for TurnTable 2 and the 2 means that it has two motors. Audio Note makes an entry level model called; you guessed it, the TT1. And yes it has one motor. Both tables are based on the famed suspended SystemDek IIx. The TT2 is a rather big improvement on the original SystemDek IIx and it was able to get me back into my vinyl collection. As good as the TT2 is it still wasn’t transformative like the Voyd Reference.

Enter the new Audio Note UK TT3 with the PSU1 (Power Supply Unit 1), accompanied by Audio Note UK’s Arm 3/II tone arm and IQ3 moving-magnet cartridge.

I mentioned earlier that the first Audio Note UK TT3 was based on the Voyd Reference. Well the more things change the more they stay the same. The new TT3 looks wildly different. It looks modern and solid. Nevertheless, it shares the bloodlines, heart and soul of that amazing Voyd Reference. It is still a three motor turntable with an external power supply. The table is still a suspended turntable design. Thus, you will need to ensure it sits on a rock steady stand or have it wall-mounted so that foot falls do not have the arm bounce around while it plays.

Audio Note UK PSU-1

The power supply keeps the turntable speed constant and adjusts for 33 and 45 records. Audio Note UK claims that this high torque platter has the equivalent mass of a 50kg platter. Audio Note’s design is a different approach to most other turntable manufacturers and this alone makes it worthy of an audition to perhaps unsettle some preconceived expectations.

So what is it about the TT3 that makes it special? Well it helps to have an owner of a company who is a vinyl fanatic with tens of thousands of albums as a baseline for the listening.  It is also helpful to hire engineers who clearly know what they are doing.  Obviously this is critical if you are going to design and try to sell a premium priced turntable against some big name turntable brands on the market. Designing and manufacturing your own tone arms, cartridges and turntables when you know the market is filled with well established products from the likes of VPI, Rega, Clearaudio, Linn, Thorens, and Michell etc.

There are currently three colour options for the turntable: matte black, white, gloss white and a gloss black.  The power supply unit comes in a standard black and tone arms come in silver or black.

The power supply unit 1 is a large box – it is housed in an Audio Note M2 preamp case. This unit comes with an umbilical cord that connects to the back of the turntable.  There is a power switch on the back. The power supply has universal voltage so it will work in both the East and West. On the front, there are two knobs, one is to start and stop the table and the other is to control for 33/45 rpm.

As with most things Audio Note there are multiple options with the power supply. Audio Note currently has three PSUs and a PSU4 is coming. The TT3 turntable itself remains the same. I can’t speak to the difference or improvements that can be achieved with upgraded power supplies. I am told by ears I trust that these power supplies offer striking levels of improvement.  If I receive an upgraded unit in the future I will circle back to this review to provide additional thoughts.

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World News

Audio-Technica new back-to-school gadgets for our time

Posted on by Dagogo Staff

The following is a press release from Audio-Technica

STOW, OH, June 30, 2020 — Soon, students will be going back to school – but the educational landscape will be different this semester, with some learning from home and others on campus. Audio-Technica offers a variety of products that will help students hear their lessons more clearly and relax when they need to unwind, including the all-new AT-LPW50PB turntable, which is now shipping.

The AT-LPW50PB turntable (SRP: US$399.00) is designed to deliver exceptional sound from 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records, and has a stunning, high-gloss piano black finish that complements any dorm, apartment or room. It offers quiet, high-performance vinyl playback thanks to its belt drive, professional-grade aluminum platter, speed sensor-monitored motor, straight-line carbon fiber tonearm and other refinements. It comes with a pre-mounted AT-VM95E moving magnet (MM) phono cartridge and features a built-in phono preamp, allowing its use in any music system or with powered speakers.

Originally designed as a premium gaming headset, the wireless ATH-G1WL (SRP: US$249.00) is also ideal for remote learning, thanks to its high-performance features including stable, lag-free wireless connectivity, a detachable, highly directional boom mic, superior noise isolation to block outside distractions and long 15-hour battery life. And when it’s time to relax, the ATH-G1WL lets students enjoy powerful sound for gaming and eSports, with a virtual surround sound function for an even more immersive 3D audio gaming experience. The ATH-G1WL’s wireless USB transceiver ensures compatibility with computers.

For students who prefer in-ear headphones, the ATH-CK3TW combines outstanding sound quality with the convenience of truly wireless operation – there are no connecting cables to deal with. Available in black, blue and white, the ATH-CK3TW (SRP: US$99.00) features an Auto Power On/Off function that automatically turns the headphones on and connects to a paired smartphone, laptop, portable digital audio player or other compatible device when they’re removed from their case.

The ATH-CK3TW’s Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology with aptX™ delivers superior audio quality for everything from lectures to music and podcasts. Students will also enjoy maximum clarity during phone calls thanks to the headphones’ Qualcomm® cVc™ Clear Voice Capture technology. The ATH-CK3TW is also perfect for fitness-oriented users thanks to its IPX2 water resistance rating and features Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Plus for reliable streaming.

Audio-Technica’s QuietPoint® ATH-ANC300TW truly wireless in-ear headphones (SRP: US$229.00) feature next-generation digital hybrid noise cancellation, to effectively block out outside noise for undisturbed studying or listening enjoyment. The headphones’ 5.8 mm DLC (diamond-like carbon) drivers deliver superlative wireless sound quality.

The ATH-ANC300TW supports Bluetooth 5.0, aptX and AAC codecs and has an easy to use control system for music playback. Its hear-through function allows some ambient sound to be heard if the listener wants to be aware of his or her outside environment. The ATH-ANC300TW also features Qualcomm cVc Clear Voice Capture for improved sound during phone calls, and  Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Plus to ensure stable audio streaming. The ATH-ANC300TW comes with a charging case and its operation can be customized with the AT Connect smartphone app, which provides an array of convenient tools and features.

For students who want to experience the finest in music listening and voice quality, the over-ear ATH-WP900 portable headphones combines a beautifully crafted exotic-wood finish with Hi-Res Audio performance. The ATH-WP900 (SRP: US$650.00) is meticulously crafted in Tokyo and features earpieces made from flamed maple wood that look striking, and the wood’s high density also contributes to the headphones’ clear, natural sound. The ATH-WP900 features large-diameter 53 mm drivers with high-flux-density magnetic circuits for extraordinary audio quality. It comes with standard and balanced cables, enabling its use with a wide range of electronics including high-end headphone amps and audio components.

Students won’t miss a word when they’re learning from home or remotely with Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50xBT wireless over-ear headphones (SRP: US$179.00). The ATH-M50xBT’s 45 mm drivers deliver studio-quality sonic accuracy and the headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and are compatible with aptX and AAC codecs for the best-possible wireless audio reproduction. Controls mounted on the left earcup provide easy handling of phone calls and music listening. An internal battery provides up to 40 hours on a full charge, and the headphones can also be used in wired mode. The ATH-M50xBT is compatible with the AT Connect smartphone app.

 

Also see more here:

– Audio-Technica Promotional Video: “Always Listening to the Music That Moves Us”
– Additional News Releases

Celebrating over 50 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality personal and professional audio equipment. Founded in Japan in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the company made its name by manufacturing state-of-the-art phonograph cartridges and tonearms. Today, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group of companies devoted to creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers, turntables, phono cartridges and other electronic products.

A reputation for quality, durability, performance and value has made Audio-Technica products the first choice for many of today’s top musical artists and audio engineers, and for discerning listeners everywhere. Drawing from its audiophile heritage, Audio-Technica remains dedicated to providing music enthusiasts with great-sounding, innovative audio gear, including the award-winning QuietPoint active noise-cancelling headphones, popular ATH-M50x monitor headphones, versatile USB microphones, and new Hi-Res Audio headphones and high-fidelity gaming headsets. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com.

 

The post Audio-Technica new back-to-school gadgets for our time appeared first on Dagogo.

World News

Pro-Ject Audio Jukebox E Bluetooth integrated turntable system Review

Posted on by Constantine Soo

After reviewing the ultra-high-end Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable system, a curious product came to my attention: a $499 turntable, albeit made by another large corporation, Pro-Ject Audio.

Austria-based turntable manufacturer Pro-Ject Audio has twelve series of turntables, which range from the $400 Hard Rock Café Primary turntable in the Artist Series to the $14,000 Signature 12 in the Signature Series. Some of the Series have as many as fifteen models, such as the aforementioned Artist Series, in which the highest priced model is the The Beatles’ White Album 2Xperience SB turntable at $1,800. Jukebox E, the subject of this review, is not the lowest priced model in the entire lineup. There is the lone Elemental turntable in the Elemental series for $229, and a Primary E for $225 in the Primary Series. It is interesting to see the multitude of affordable turntables, or as Pro-Ject puts it, record players, being offered at such low price points.

Of all Pro-Ject turntables, the Jukebox Series stands out as the only Bluetooth-enabled models —and they come equipped with an integrated amplifier. The Jukebox E, in particular, is capable of 50 watts of output into 8 ohms, features a silicon belt for damping, a low vibration synchronous motor and DC power supply, an 8.6-inch aluminum tonearm with sapphire bearings, and an entry-level Ortofon OM5e moving-magnet cartridge premounted. Round the back, jacks include Line Out, Phono Out, Line In and two pairs of five-way speaker binding posts. Decoupling feet and dustcover complete the package.

Pro-Ject even devised a remote control unit for POWER, MUTE, LOUDNESS, BASS+, BASS -, TRE+, and TRE-. Further features on the remote include TURNTABLE, LINE IN, VOLUME+ and VOLUME-. A BLUETOOTH button on the remote accesses the Bluetooth functionality when connecting to a Bluetooth player, such as those in smart phones. Under the front to the left are two rocker power switches. The first switch turns on the motor and thus the Jukebox E can be used as a pure turntable. The second switch turns on the onboard Bluetooth and amplification electronics. An LED display on the top panel of the turntable provides status. It doesn’t come with a record puck for hold down, and the motor is not powerful enough to pull along using the ones I have. Nonetheless, it is utterly incredible and mindboggling to have all this for a meager $499.

I placed the Jukebox E in a system consisted of the $399 Audioengine HPD6 bookshelf speakers on $50 Atlantic stands. I used Audio Note UK AN-SPx 27-strand silver speaker cables with banana connectors from the Jukebox E’s speaker terminals directly into the back of the speakers. Note that the company also offers the $299 Speaker Box 5, available in high gloss piano black, white or red, a supposedly ideal companion to the Jukebox E. Vinyl playback on its own was acceptable with good instrument placement although the gain was a bit low. Using its Line Out and routing the signal to an integrated amplifier, such as the $2,899 Wyred 4 Sound STI-1000 v2 class D stereo integrated amplifier, changed the narrative completely. Now the sound became eminently easy on the ears, and criteria such as tonal separation, dynamic contrast and spatiality emerged and were enjoyable.

Utilizing the LOUDNESS feature added overall presence to the music while increasing the gain, although I preferred using the BASS function instead to add weight to the presentation through the small speakers without also impacting the midrange and top-end. There were considerable limitations to the Jukebox E’s sound but picking it apart based on review criteria for a high-end turntable would be missing the point. The Jukebox E was created so that more people can have the joy of music, and not exactly to be used as reference.

The Pro-Ject Jukebox E’s Bluetooth playback is via its own speaker terminals and not possible through the Line Out function, which only outputs the cartridge signal and nothing else. Nonetheless, being able to play my favorite tunes from my iPhone 11 was a good dose of casual fun. And there were sufficient spatial cues to be enjoyed.

Bearing in mind that the volume control functionality only works via the speaker terminals, there is more fun to be had. I put an Oppo BDP-105D Blu-ray player’s RCA analog outputs into the Line-in RCA jacks of the Jukebox E and it was unreal. There was the expected big sound of SACDs, such as the soundtrack to Star Trek: Nemesis and the Esoteric remastered and reissued Grieg Peer Gynt excerpts, coming even from the HDP6. Again, adjusting the volume and having the BASS and MUTE functions available via remote control just added to the value of the package.

The Pro-Ject Jukebox E makes for a nice traditional turntable+tonearm+cartridge package for $499, highly competitive against similar offerings by similar-sized corporate manufacturers. Throw in a Bluetooth receiver, add a Line-In function, increase its value further by equipping the turntable with a 50 wpc amplifier, then add all sorts of tone controls, and finally make all functions controllable via a remote — that’s the Pro-Ject Jukebox E Bluetooth.

For the savvy-minded, Pro-Ject offers a complete Juke Box E HiFi Set that comes with the Jukebox E and the Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, Speaker Box 5, a spool of speaker cables with banana plugs and the Damp It rubber damping feet for use underneath the speakers. All for $999. Kudos to the marketing efforts that make audio affordable and fun.

Ladies and gentlemen, questions?

 

Copy editor: Dan Rubin

 

Review system:

Audio Reference Technology Power Distributor

Acoustic Sciences Corporation TubeTraps
Audio Note UK AN-SPx speaker cables

Oppo BDP-105D Blu-ray/SACD player
Wyred 4 Sound STI-1000 v2 class D stereo integrated amplifier

Audioengine HDP6 bookshelf speakers

 

The post Pro-Ject Audio Jukebox E Bluetooth integrated turntable system Review appeared first on Dagogo.

World News

Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable system Review

Posted on by Constantine Soo

Clearaudio Master Innovation (pictured with Clearaudio Universal tonearm).

After reviewing three high-end turntable systems by boutique shops, one from Europe and two from the U.S., I wanted to find out how the big boys such as Clearaudio are doing it.

Clearaudio GmbH was founded by Peter Suchy in 1978 and is known for its pioneering, original designs. The company’s first product in 1978 was a moving coil cartridge with boron cantilever, an industry first. Today, Clearaudio employs 61 workers with trained specialists in both product design and production, manufacturing turntables, cartridges, tonearms and associated phono electronics.

Clearaudio Concept

The company offers ten turntables, beginning with the $1,600 Concept and the $2,500 Concept Wood, both with a tonearm and a cartridge installed, the former a Concept arm and a $250 Concept MM or $1,000 Concept MC cartridge, the latter a Satisfy Kardan Aluminum tonearm and the Concept MM, Concept MC, or Maestro v2 Ebony MM cartridge. The remaining turntables feature open armboard architecture for use with various Clearaudio tonearms or other brand tonearms. They include the $2,600 Performance DC, the $3,600 Performance DC Wood, the $6,200 Ovation, the $6,400 Innovation Basic, the $7,900 Innovation Compact, the $11,000 Innovation Wood, and the $28,000 Master Innovation, subject of this review, and finally, the $200,000 Statement V2 system including the TT-1 tangential tonearm and Goldfinger Statement cartridge. Remarkably, even the company’s entry-level Concept turntable is lavishly equipped with a POM (Polyoxymethylene) platter, aluminum sub-platter, low-friction bearing and a scaled-down version of the Satisfy Carbon tonearm.

Among the six phono preamplifiers produced by the company are multiple variants designed for headphone listening of the vinyl disk no less. Among the 16 cartridges the company manufactures is the critically acclaimed $15,999 Goldfinger Statement flagship, a medium compliance moving coil that uses 12 magnets, 24-Karat gold coil, 14-Karat gold body and reaches a 100dB dynamic range. It is hailed by many as the ultimate cartridge design. Of course, Clearaudio would not be an analog playback system industry leader without record cleaning machines of its own, and it offers three models indeed.

Clearaudio Goldfinger

Manufacturing of the company’s top products such as the Goldfinger Statement, TT2 linear tracking arm and the Statement turntable system is done by a core team led by a master builder who oversees the process. The Master Innovation turntable system, subject of this review, is also built by this elite team.

Clearaudio turntables are known for their 3-pillar “tri-star” design. Per Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings, Clearaudio’s U.S. Importer, the company first introduced the “tri-star” design in its $15,000 turntable system named Master Reference in the mid-1990s. The Oracle turntable from Canada adopted a 3-tower turntable design earlier on in the eighties and utilized active suspension in the pillars.

The original MR was the result of Clearaudio pushing the performance envelope with an eye on aesthetics, taking a systematic approach back then in its research for the creation of a turntable of high quality in materials, strength in rigidity, freedom from vibration, compact in footprint and one that screams value. The turntable bore the “Master” designation because it was designed to such specifications as to be fit for use as reference in mastering studios. More than twenty years have passed since then and the new Master is now part of the Innovation series. The Master Innovation features the following evolved design highlights:

  • Materials – Panzerholz, aluminum skins and pods, diamond coated polished ceramic shaft for platter and driven platter bearing.
  • Drive system – magnetic drive, optical speed control, high precision bearing.
  • Finishes – Panzerholz comes in 4 finishes (natural, black, white and red lacquer) aluminum in 2 (black and silver) , and platters in 2 (POM black and translucent acrylic)
  • Upgradeability (an Innovation can be field upgraded to a Master)
  • Tonearms supported (both Clearaudio and other brands)
  • Product consistency – no unit to unit discrepancy or variation.

 

According to Garth, a preceding model, the Master Reference AMG Wood of 2006 was adorned with some of the above advancements, costing $20,500 then and $28,000 in 2011. It was the last version to feature aluminum magnesium skins, Panzerholz wood plinths, and Ceramic Magnetic Bearing (CMB). The Master Innovation is its successor, introduced at the end of 2011. Price was $25,000 then and currently is $28,000 and includes the diamond coated bearing.

The Master Innovation first entered into development in the summer of 2011. It is a double-stack design conceptualized to accommodate the company’s exclusive five-platter structure. In its official launch in December 2011, the turntable was revealed to utilize two different magnetic levitation systems, one for the drive system and another for the CMB for the main platter bearing.

In fact, the Master Innovation is the 2nd turntable to use the Magnetic Drive, first introduced in the Clearaudio Statement around 2005. Per Garth, “The system consists of a drive or lower platter that is connected to a sophisticated 24-volt motor via a flat belt. This drive platter uses the Optical Speed Control (OSC) with an optical sensor mounted under the stainless steel flywheel which has a stroboscope engraved into it. The OSC creates a feedback system between the drive platter and motor, assuring stable speed regardless of stylus drag. This OSC system was used in the Innovation model in 2007 and now we have a combination of a passive rotational stability with the stainless steel flywheel together with the active OSC.”
The Drive platter magnetically couples to the Driven platter using a ring of magnets, one in the top of the Drive platter and the second ring at the bottom of the Driven platter. There is no actual contact between these two platters, creating enhanced isolation between the turntable motor and the stylus in the record groove. The Driven platter is connected to the actual platter via a sophisticated bearing assembly. The Drive/Driven platter can either be acrylic or POM as its material is not critical to the sound. The platter is also shielded due to the strength of the magnets needed to levitate the 70mm POM platter and 15mm stainless steel sub-platter.

The ON/OFF, 33-, 45- and 78-rpm push-buttons were built into one of the Master Innovation’s three pillars, and the platform can be rotated to where the control is on the left column and the primary tonearm setup is on the right column. Having the tonearm upfront and closer was a major convenience in setups. In this orientation, the three neatly camouflaged speed adjustment pin tabs would be facing forward on the bridge under the lower platters.

The review sample is accompanied by the optional $3,000 Smart Power 24V DC power supply, an otherwise ritzy-glitzy all-aluminum chassis compact device consisting of a pair of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries in a complex electronic security mechanism for isolating the proprietary, sensitive optical speed control (OSC) found in Clearaudio’s top turntables from short circuits, overloads, noise and voltage fluctuations in the mains power supply. The goal is to attain pitch stability and thus sonic purity from the turntable. The Smart Power is designed for use in turntables in the Ovation, Innovation and Statement series.

Clearaudio Smart Power 24V

Importer Musical Surroundings also distributes the AMG turntables and tonearms from Germany, and the Master Innovation is fitted with a $4,500 AMG 12J2 12-inch tonearm. Cartridge used for this review was the $10,995 Koetsu Jade Platinum moving coil the review of which was published earlier this month, and a $10,400 Stealth Audio Cables Helios phono cable completed the turntable system.

The Master Innovation took the left most top spot of a 6 feet wide, 15.5 inches deep and 16.5 inches tall 2-level home entertainment shelf. The Pass Laboratories duo of the Xs Phono and Xs Preamp, each boasting a twin, 6.25 inches high, 19 inches wide and 14 inches deep large chassis design, one for the control chassis and the other for the power supply, took the most spots on the shelf. The control chassis of the Xs Preamp needed to connect to monoblock power amplifiers to the far left and right, so it earned itself the central spot on the top shelf to the right of the Clearaudio, with the Xs Phono’s control chassis occupying the top right spot. The two Pass units’ power supply chassis were relegated to the bottom shelf under the Clearaudio, stacked atop each other.

The Bricasti Design M21 flagship DSD DAC was placed atop the Xs Preamp on a trio of Combak Harmonix TU-66ZX footers to allow easy access to the DAC’s rear panel SPDIF, Toslink, USB, and LAN connections. An Oppo UDP-205 Blu-ray SACD player sat atop the Xs Phono, also on a trio of the Combak Harmonix footers.

The post Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable system Review appeared first on Dagogo.

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