Sound + Image 11.12 2020

AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 MAG FOR AUDIO & AV CEDIA AWARDS INSIDE

AUSTRALIA’S TOP HOME CINEMAS

STAY
SAFE &
LISTEN TO
VINYL!

REDISCOVER

THE RECORD DOCTOR
WILL SEE YOU NOW

Why vinyl cleaning is

VINYLbetterwhenitsucks
FIND YOUR PERFECT
TURNTABLE INSIDE!

REVIEWED REVIEWED FLASH V. MING

CAN YOU DO YOU GORDON’S
RESIST JBL’S NEED ALIVE: IN 4K!
AN 8K
PINT-SIZE
CLASSICS? RECEIVER?

Denon’s $1999 entertainment hub
delivers next-gen movie magic

ISSUE 336

z…àٜ(0! ‫ ׎א׎א‬

A$9.99

NZ$11.99

Brilliant Brightness. Crisp Colour. Dramatic Detail.

Home Theatre Projection Perfected.

4K PRO-UHD uses proprietary dedicated processors
to deliver up to 300 inches of big screen entertainment
right in your home, with the latest 4K experience*,
razor-sharp images and DCI-3P cinema standard colour.
www.epson.com.au/4KPROUHD

*4K Enhancement Technology (4Ke) shifts each pixel diagonally to double the
native panel Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. Resolution is Full HD in 3D Mode.

TOP TECH DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR!
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE: see p79

ISSUE #336
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

Reviews this issue...

16 TURNTABLES 16

VINYL To celebrate vinyl’s final revenge on CDs (by
TURNTABLES
overtaking them in sales), we round up 16
We spin up 16
turntables in ascending price order, from entry-
contenders for your
level decks for first-timers through midrange
vinyl system, from
decks for upgraders, right up to $30k turntables
$369 to $30k...
for those seeking the ultimate joys of vinyl sound.

Pro-Ject Primary E 18

audio-technica AT-LP3 20

Sony LX-310BT 22

audio-technica AT-LP120xUSB 24

Music Hall mmf-1.5 28

Sony PS-X500 30

66 Pro-Ject Juke Box E 32

X-SERIES Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500 33
GOES 8K
Pro-Ject X1 34
We review Denon’s
new $1999 Technics SL-1500C 36
8K-compatible
AV receiver Mobile Fidelity StudioDeck+ 38

McIntosh MT2 41

Rega Planar 10 42

Yamaha GT-5000 44

SME Synergy 46

Linn Klimax LP12 48

70 RECORD DOCTOR VI 53

FLASH LP cleaning is an essential for any vinyl lover, and
GORDON
IN 4K the latest-gen Record Doctor sucks big-time...

Stunning visuals, CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXA81

Queen soundtrack, stereo amplifier 56

top 4K remaster! This $2499 stereo amplifier brings a sensible

set of inputs along with plenty of power to please.

JBL L82 CLASSIC

stereo loudspeakers 60

ON 4K BLU-RAY The smaller versions of JBL’s Classic speakers

repeat all the nostalgia, but how do they sound?

80 TCL X10 mini LED 4K television 63

CEDIA 2020 Micro-sized back-lights achieve the best blacks
FINALISTS we’ve ever seen outside of an OLED panel.

Amazing smart DENON AVC-X2700H AV receiver 66

homes and 8K future-proofing is the headline here, but
there’s way more on offer than video resolution.
stunning cinemas
SHURE AONIC 50

wireless NC headphones 68

The former cartridge king delivers a fine pair of

wireless noise-cancellers – in an enormous case...

3



contents 1

contents ISSUE #336
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

features & regulars

EDLINES 6

The Editor wonders what others feel.

13 NEWS 9

IFA BERLIN • Epson’s new 4K ultra-short-throw projector

A show which • Naim & Focal get into a Bentley
actually took
place! —if in • Yamaha announces multiple launches
a limited form.
Here is the news. • Sony’s new projection ‘beast’

60 • Loewe targets the colourful youth market

JBL L82 • IFA Berlin has a mini show with news from
CLASSIC
TCL, Technics & Samsung plus a QD-OLED teaser
The smaller Classic
standmount from • Gold & carbon special editions from
JBL still holds
nostalgic charms. Bowers & Wilkins, Moon, REL & Sennheiser

movies 70

FLASH GORDON

Only 14 hours to save the Earth from the merciless

53 Ming, and Flash pulls it off in a top two hours of 4K.

DISC HIGH FIDELITY 72
DOCTOR VI
It’s a Nick Hornby book and a Hulu Original series, but
Suction proves
for many vinyl lovers High Fidelity lives in the heart as
its power as
the 2000 movie starring John Cusack and Jack Black,
we spring-clean
under the direction of Stephen Frears, who here
our vinyl.
respins some stories about this time-capsule classic.

music

MUSIC REVIEWS 74

Nick Mason & band capture the early Floyd vibe, plus

new Robbie Krieger, kinda-new Joe Bonamassa,

re-releases from Thin Lizzy & Kraftwerk, plus a whole

new dose of double-prog from Rick Wakeman.

CLASSIC TRACK 78

The Doors provide this issue’s classic track, and

Cheap Trick our classic album: ‘Live at Budokan’.

74 smart homes & home cinemas

SAUCERFUL CEDIA FINALISTS 2020 80
OF SOUNDS
The Asia-Pacific finalists in CEDIA’s annual awards
Nick Mason does a
reveal the quality of work delivered by members of
Ringo by delivering
this peak body for custom installation. Huge smart
Floyd’s best live solo
homes and stunning home cinemas start on p80
performance yet.
and continue for a full 17 pages of top projects.

55

editorial

Once more, with feeling ISSUE 336: Nov-Dec 2020

Have you crossed the line from ‘audio’ to ‘hi-fi’? FUTURE PUBLISHING AUSTRALIA
PO Box 1077, Mount Street,
Those readers particularly prone to peer World Service, and the music dove as emotionally North Sydney, NSW 2059
carefully at magazine page ‘straps’ may deep as if delivered dynamically from a reference Tel: 02 9955 2677 Fax: 02 9955 2688
have noticed that in recent issues we’ve system. (This is the second time in three issues that www.whathifi.com/soundandimage
divided up our Sound+Image review I’ve ended up in a travel analogy on this page. Must Editor: Jez Ford jez.ford@futurenet.com
section into categorised blocks — this be lockdown travel yearnage.) It’s amazing how
issue there’s our vinyl section, then hi-fi, an effectively music can be communicated, how good it Art Director: Kristian Hagen
audio-visual section, and a lone headphone. These can feel, even through a low level of equipment.
categories intersect — obviously we’re not implying Advertising Sales Manager: Lewis Preece
that audio-visual can’t be ‘hi-fi’ too. But certainly I realise, however, that judging how something
not all audio-visual and audio gear qualifies as hi-fi. ‘feels’ might seem a little hazy as a review criterion. Advertising Traffic: Di Preece
I certainly object when I watch the weather forecast diane.preece@futurenet.com
And by hi-fi I mean equipment of a level that and they now tell me it’s 15 degrees but it feels like 10.
delivers a sufficient semblance of the original I’m not even sure what that means — ‘feels like’. Feels Divisional Manager & National Advertising
performance that it makes recorded music come like to whom? Who’s the Chief Feeler here — who Sales Manager: Jim Preece
alive — it works, it’s real, it recreates a moment in gets to say how it feels? It might not feel the same to jim.preece@futurenet.com
time. Which is something I think most people will me. To the missus, for example, it often feels “F-ing
have experienced at some point (hopefully daily freezing” when to me it seems merely mild. And yes Managing Director: Neville Daniels
for many of our well-equipped readers). It’s quite I understand about wind-chill factor, and I preferred
the moment when music becomes real; it can stop it when they just told us there was a wind-chill Sound+Image subscriptions
you in your tracks or transport you into some factor of minus five. Presumably they think people
other emotional state, which is why some people can no longer do the maths of 15 minus 5 (you can techmags.com.au
may not realise what is going on, and may never google the answer if you need to) so that they’re now
have attributed such a moment to the music or the dumbing it down with a ‘feels like’ rating. One more or call CRM on (02) 8227 6486
quality of the reproduction system, because they data point of despair for society.
were, for example, dancing around a beach bonfire We are committed to only using magazine paper which is
looking into someone’s eyes and enjoying a nice Then again, here are we, as a magazine, partially derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and
lift from some mild intoxicant. In such situations, judging hi-fi on how it makes us feel. But it’s not chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was
I’d probably be the guy over at the beach cabana quite the same. Channel 7’s Weather Comfort Index sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests,
looking at the speakers under the palm-frond eaves, moves along on a scale of reactions from cold to hot, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic
saying something like ‘Nice butt-kicking JBLs, mate, starting at the chillier extreme with a woolly-scarfed standards. The manufacturing paper mill holds full FSC
though I think this one’s out of phase, do you mind emoji face looking like someone’s just poked a stick (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC certification and
if I…’ Such is the lonely life of an audio junkie, but up its arse. But with hi-fi it’s initially a binary on/off accreditation
at least we often get free drinks for fixing things up. criterion — either the music is launched with life, All contents © 2020 Future Publishing Australia or pub-
stirring the soul, transmitting the intent, or it just lished under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this
That musical transportation is one which good ain’t. It’s about crossing the line from mere audio to magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced
hi-fi should be able to deliver at the flick of a switch, music-loving hi-fi. Which is a transition devoutly to in any way without the prior written permission of the
always assuming you’re suitably receptive. There is be wished. publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number
variation between products in tone, scale, timing 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered
and dynamics; their presentations and tuning Even more vain-gloriously, we then pick the office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All infor-
differs. But if the music works, the equipment is at products which make us feel best of all and give them mation contained in this publication is for information only
least capable of doing its job. one of the Sound+Image Awards which are already and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going
in preparation, and which we will bring to you, dear to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors
Happily music can achieve an effect through the reader, next issue. Meanwhile you all stay safe, and or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to
most minimal of reproduction systems. I remember listen to vinyl. contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to
sitting high on a sunny mountainside above the prices of products/services referred to in this publica-
Samsun on the Black Sea coast of Turkey (pictured), Cheers, tion. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated
equipped only with a palm-sized SW/AM/FM radio Jez Ford, in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
(Roberts, I think), listening to John Peel on the BBC Editor, Sound+Image Information contained in this magazine, whether in
editorial matter or in feature articles or in advertisements
or otherwise, including in particular, but not limited to,
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6 Future plc is a public Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne
company quoted on Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford
the London Stock Exchange
(symbol: FUTR) Chief financial officer Penny Ladkin-Brand
www.futureplc.com
Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

THE HI–FI HEADLINES

NEWSLETTER No.253

RECENT ARRIVALS AT LEN WALLIS AUDIO

TRIANGLE BOREA SPEAKERS However, there is no
doubting the value
NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA for money that these
speakers represent.
After many months we have Is there a downside?
received our first shipment Well yes. Worldwide
of Triangle Borea speakers. demand, along
This is Triangle’s new budget with covid related
series, replacing the Elara, supply problems,
902 and Plaisir ranges. We has meant that this
have been watching the Triangle range is in
flurry of accolades coming short supply. Even
from overseas publications if we cannot supply
for some time, so we had immediately, it
high expectations. We were not would be worth
disappointed. Firstly, we need to tolerating the short
recognise that this is a limited budget wait if necessary.
range consisting of three pair of speakers

and a centre channel.

Triangle Borea BR08 Borea BR03 Borea BR02 Borea BRC1:
A speaker inspired by the The bookshelf speaker creating The most compact The matching
iconic Antal speaker from all the fuss. This speaker is a speaker in the range. A centre channel
Triangle’s more expensive standout, already winning many perfect introduction to for the three
Esprit range. This is an awards overseas. We believe the world of hi-fi, this models above.
elegant three-way floor- that you would need to spend small speaker will surprise
stander with 4 drivers and considerably more than the you by the immersion $500
represents exceptional asking price to find another and sound amplitude it
value: $1,900 speaker of this quality. $850 provides. $650

REGA io We have PS AUDIO Stellar
amplifier received Power Plant 3
more stock
We have been a
huge supporter of of the PS Audio save $1,000
Rega turntables for Stellar Power Plant 3
four decades now
but have not carried their electronics, aside from phono pre-amplifiers. AC power regenerator. Our industry has been aware
However their newly released io amplifier was just too good to pass up.
A compact, no frills, yet great sounding analogue-based amplifier, the io of the advantages of treating the incoming power
delivers a performance well beyond its price point. As you would expect,
there is a high quality built-in MM (moving magnet) phono stage, two supply for a long time now, and one of the leaders is PS
line-level inputs, a remote control and a high quality headphone output
that is cleverly integrated to deliver optimum performance without Audio. Their Stellar Power Plant 3 takes the incoming
compromising the audio circuit. Add a turntable (Rega preferably) and
a pair of compact speakers (Triangle or B&W) and you have a simple, voltage and rebuilds it to perfect AC – eliminating all
compact but surprisingly good system at a realistic price. Rega io: $899.
noise etc. along the way. We are currently offering the

Stellar Power Plant 3 for $2,995 – a saving of $1,000.

64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, NSW 2066 www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

(02) 9427 6755
sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au

The mmf-5.3 comes with an
Ortofon 2m Blue cartridge.

MMF-5.3 TURNTABLE

The music hall mmf-5.3 Turntable is a 2-speed belt driven
audiophile turntable employing the unique dual-plinth
construction originated by music hall.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN A COMPLETE PACKAGE

The distinctive design isolates the critical sound Viso-elastic cones separate the two platforms and
reproducing components; platter, main bearing, provide vibration damping. The mmf-5.3 comes
tonearm, and cartridge on the top platform from complete with an Ortofon 2m Blue cartridge.
the motor, switch, wiring, and feet which are
mounted on the bottom platform.

Proudly distributed by Convoy International | 02 9774 9000 | www.convoy.com.au

Epson ◆ Naim, Focal & Bentley

Epson throws ultra-short

The ultra-short-throw projector seems The laser light source, and, all other things being equal, also less
to be coming of age in homes where it’s together with Epson’s 3LCD prone to noise. The same argument occurs in
a fit, and Epson’s $5499 4K Pro-UHD Technology, delivers 4000 the camera industry, ‘larger pixels’ invariably
EH-LS500 is the latest contender, sitting close lumens of both white and getting the vote of experts against simply more
to the wall, shining up to illuminate a screen colour (other technologies have pixels. The LS500 also features frame inter-
or wall, and having its own speakers too. lower colour brightness than white brightness polation and Detail Enhancement functions,
because of the use of a colour wheel), while a 10-bit HDR Processor uses 100% of the
“Even though panels are getting bigger and achieving a quoted 2,500,000:1 dynamic HDR source information for 4K signals.
bigger, they can get nowhere near as big as a contrast ratio. Long life is another benefit
home theatre projector,” Epson Australia’s of laser sources, with an expected 20,000 The LS500 has three HDMI inputs,
Bruce Bealby told us when the projector was hours life in Eco mode, which Epson equates with one of them behind the rear panel to
first shown in Sydney, pre-COVID. “The to five hours every day for 10 years. accommodate a Wi-Fi Android TV stick,
LS500 has a screen size of up to 130-inches — which will makes it easy to stream direct to the
that’s equivalent to four 65-inch panels.” As for resolution, the projector uses projector from the likes of Netflix. USB power
Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD, which takes a UHD is provided to power this (or a different) stick.
The EH-LS500 can be purchased alone input signal and delivers the High Dynamic While there is HDMI ARC or an analogue
with an RRP of $5499, but Epson also has two Range information to an image which is audio output to integrate with an external
bundles, coming either with a 100-inch screen not native 4K but rather uses a 1920×1080 sound system, the unit also includes two
for a total price of $6599, or with a 120-incher panel pixel-shifted once to deliver around built-in 10W speakers behind the front-facing
for $7199. For a 100-inch image the projector four million pixels, half the number of actual grille. An Ethernet network connection further
lens needs to be 65cm from the screen or Ultra High Definition 4K. Epson has strong allows operation and status checks over a
wall, for a 130-inch image the distance needs arguments in favour of this technology over network from a computer or a smart device, as
to be 82cm — so go measure your bench DLP technology which uses multiple pixel- well as Epson iProjection from Windows PCs
space to see what’s possible. If it can’t be shifting to achieve actual UHD, not only better or Macs. More info: www.epson.com.au
accommodated there, the LS500 can also brightness and contrast, but especially Epson’s
be ceiling-mounted to achieve the required use of larger 0.74-inch panels, compared with
throw distance. Of course the final brightness DLP’s 0.47-inch panel for the projectors using
of your image and its relative imperviousness DLP470TP micromirrors. That’s a big differ-
to ambient light conditions may also have a ence in area, so each pixel is larger, brighter
bearing on your final image size.

DRIVING SOUND ▶ NAIM, FOCAL & BENTLEY

Naim Audio has had an association with car-maker
Bentley for some years; now the association
has been extended to sister company Focal.
Engineers from both brands work together on
in-car systems known as ‘Naim for Bentley’ in
every Bentley model, and now two new audio
products (sold together) have been released in

‘Bentley’ liveries: an Ayous-wood cabinet version
of the Naim Mu-so wireless speaker system with an
RRP of $3700, plus $2000 ‘Focal for Bentley’ Radiance
headphones. More info: www.busisoft.com.au

9

Yamaha

▼ Yamaha’s new RX-V4A five-channel receiver has four
8K-compatible HDMI inputs yet has an RRP of just $899.

Yamaha launches
new receivers, soundbars & headphones

Yamaha is in full launch
mode at present, so
that while we await
news of the 10th anniversary
Aventage AV receiver range,
the company is rolling out
new soundbars, RX-V range
receivers and headphones.

AV RECEIVERS: The new RX-V receiver and Yamaha’s MusicCast streaming and HEADPHONES:
range is redesigned from the ground up, and multiroom platform to offer app control, Yamaha has no
looks it, with two minimalist-fronted models AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal and Deezer, fewer than eight
— the $899 RX-V4A and $1299 RX-V6A multi-room audio, and voice control via new pair of
— sporting a new, high-res LCD display Alexa, Google and Siri-enabled devices. headphones,
and front jog-dial knob plus touch-sensitive MusicCast Surround allows additional ranging from the
buttons. The receivers offer five and seven MusicCast speakers to be used as wireless $329 TW-E7A True
channels of power respectively, and come surrounds in a 5.1-channel set-up. Wireless Noise-Cancelling
with impressive 8K future-proofing onboard. Earbuds (pictured right,
SOUNDBARS: The two new soundbar with carry case below), to the
“No other AV receiver on the market models extend the bottom of Yamaha’s top-of-the-line $499 YH-E700A
offers as many 8K HDMI inputs as Yamaha, range, the SR-C20A priced at just $299 and wireless noise-cancelling headphones
as of today,” boasts the company, with three the SR-B20A at $349. The CR20A (pictured (pictured below left). These feature Advanced
of the seven HDMI inputs on the RX-V6A above) is Yamaha’s first compact bar, just ANC, which Yamaha says “goes beyond
and all four inputs on the RX-V4A being 60cm wide and operating in stereo with two standard ANC which can often ‘colour’ or
able to pass through 8K/60 material with 46mm treble drivers and a 75mm woofer, degrade sound. Advanced ANC analyses and
full HDMI 2.1 specification, which also while the B20A is wider at 91cm, allowing removes background noise while keeping the
includes eARC and next-gen gaming features room for six drivers — 2 × 25mm tweeter, 2 × music signal pure and untouched.”
including auto low latency mode (ALLM), 55mm midrange and 2 × 75mm bass, still in
variable refresh rates (VRR), quick frame stereo configuration. Despite their entry-level Both models, plus the $229 YH-E500A
transport (QFT) and quick media switching status both bars have HDMI ARC, twin on-ear model, also feature ‘Listening Care’,
(QMS). And to support the use of powered optical inputs and Bluetooth (the C20A adds which is a headphone adaptation of the
HDMI cables for longer wiring needs, an analogue input and the B20A a subwoofer YPAO Volume system found in Yamaha
Yamaha has boosted the power supply from output). Each soundbar comes with its own receivers, aiming to make EQ adjustments for
HDMI outputs to 300mA. We note that remote and is supported by the Sound Bar more satisfying low-level listening — so you
the gaming features, 4K/120 support and Controller app for smartphone control. don’t need to turn your headphones up so
HDR10+ support are all listed as “via future loud! More information: au.yamaha.com
firmware update”; Yamaha Music Australia
tells us that these are expected next year once
the HDMI 2.1 testing spec becomes available.

The seven amplifiers of the RX-V6A are
rated at 100W into 8 ohms at 0.06% THD, the
five channels of the RX-V4A at 80W using
the same specs. The higher model includes
Atmos and DTS:X support in 5.1.2 (with
two subwoofer outputs available), whereas
the RX-V4A tops out at Dolby TrueHD and
DTS Master Audio. There’s plenty more, of
course, including a phono turntable input

10

X10 powered by

More LED’s. More Colours. More Contrast.

TCL’s sophisticated X10 Series showcases uncompromising colour, contrast and clarity.
The incredible resolution comes down to an increased number of independent pixel-sized LED

light sources. This means incredible picture performance, no matter what you’re watching.

More of TCL’s 2020 TV Range

X915 Series C815 Series C715 Series

Sizes: 65”/ 75” Sizes: 55”/ 65”/ 75” Sizes: 50”/ 55”/ 65”

www.tcl.com/au @TCL.AUS.NZ @AUTCL @TCL_AUS.NZ @TCL AUS.NZ @TCL AUS_NZ

Google and Android TV are trademarks of Google LLC. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates.

Sony unleashes 10,000-lumen ‘Beast’

LOEWE PLANS 2021 ‘YOUTH’ MAKEOVER Sony has brought a little bit
of Bravia TV technology to
There is finally proof-positive of use, and TV models under the ‘We. by three new projector models
Loewe’s continuing life under its Loewe’ branding. With pricing here just announced, spearheaded by
new management. The new team promised from AU$699 for a 32-inch, an all-new flagship VPL-GTZ380
responsible for reanimating the site topping out at 65-inch, it seems Loewe 4K laser projector which Sony
in Kronach, Germany, had promised is aiming for a more mass-market Australia’s Michael Bromley
fresh designs and new categories to entry than its premium TVs of the main described during the online
be launched during IFA 2020 in Berlin, Loewe brand, relying on high-value launch as “an absolute beast”.
but with that great European showcase LED panels. But they’ll be smart, This model and the other two
new releases — the lamp-based
much reduced this year, we got the pre-installed VPL-VW590ES model and laser-
news first from Loewe’s Australian with leading based VPL-VW790ES models
distributor, Indi Imports. streaming apps which replace the VW570ES
including Netflix, and VW760ES respectively —
Together Indi and Loewe have YouTube and all feature processing by the
announced a new branding — ‘We. Amazon Prime company’s X1 Ultimate picture
by Loewe’ — which “is characterised among others, processor, an optimised-for-
by progressive, modern designs and and including inte- projector version of the X1
differentiates itself from Loewe in grated soundbars processor found in Sony Bravia
terms of price and appearance”. The with Dolby Atmos TVs. The processor powers
new ranges will be aimed strongly at support as part of various processes including
“a younger customer that expresses the package. an object-based HDR remastering tool that aims to
their personality through product and Loewe has been experimenting with enhance details and colours specifically based on the
colour”, noting that this is “in contrast” colour in its TV ranges for some time, type of object in the frame — flowers, faces, hands
with the main Loewe brand. and this makes sense; with nowhere etc. Two databases work together in real-time to clean
left to go after 4K and 8K, TV up noise and upscale, too. Sony’s Super Resolution
The first products are promised in manufacturers will need to find reality creation processing has also been souped up
the new year, starting with Bluetooth different ways to differentiate and to improve detail enhancement and the upscaling of
speakers for both home and portable persuade consumers to upgrade. lower-than-4K material to a 4096 × 2160 resolution.
The new designs promise Leveraging the company’s excellent TV processing
to interpret individual seems a no-brainer addition that will expand upon the
characteristics of Loewe’s more pro-level approach Sony has previously taken to
main brand, including its projector range.
material selection, a Like every projector in Sony’s line-up, the
two-stage colour concept, VPL-GTZ380 utilises the three-panel (red, blue and
integrated ‘table leg’ green) SXRD system. The panels are paired with an
support and intelligent enhanced laser light engine design, comprising a new
cable management. ‘deep red’ laser, which Sony says requires less colour
More info: www.indimports.com filtering and therefore minimises losses in brightness.
As a result, Sony promises 100 per cent coverage of the
DCI-P3 colour gamut. And this is Sony’s brightest-
ever SXRD projector, with a 10,000-lumen peak
brightness. The Sony VPL-GTZ380 will be available
in the new year, price unconfirmed but anticipated
to be A$150k. So you may find one of Sony’s lower
two upgraded models more to your budget... the
VPL-VW590 (below) is available now at $11,999,
the VPL-VW790 at $22,999. pro.sony/en_AU

12

Sony ◆ Loewe ◆ IFA Berlin 2020

IFA 2020 IN BERLIN managed a reduced QD-OLED FOR NEXT YEAR? SAMSUNG LIFESTYLE TVs
physical event from 3-5 September, plus
an extended streaming space to keep A more scintillating tidbit from TCL surfaced Samsung, meanwhile, used the IFA period to launch
the innovations coming. As IFA Executive just after IFA, with several sources reporting ‘The Premiere’ ultra-short-throw 4K smart projector
Director Jens Heithecker noted, after coming that TCL Europe’s Marek Maciejewski had using a three-laser light
on stage to the strains of ‘You’ll Never Walk confirmed TCL’s plans for IFA next year will source. It will launch this
Alone’, there has been only one of IFA’s 70+ include a quantum-dot TV made with inkjet year only in European
years where the event didn’t go ahead as printing. This is front-emissive Quantum Dot markets — something also
planned, which was 1961, when communist technology, then — also known as QDOLED, said for a model which
East Germany built the Berlin Wall in August given its similar characteristics and presumed seems tailor-made for
and rather complicated access to the venue. ability to ramp blacks down to absolute zero. Australia’s outdoor living:
QDOLED is the grail for manufacturers ‘The Terrace’ (pictured
“The fact that we are meeting here today in not aligned with LG.Display’s OLED panels. right), a smart TV screen
Berlin, it gives back just a bit of much-needed and soundbar pairing
normality,” said Heithecker (above). “A real Maciejewski is reported as citing JOLED which both have an IP55
life event is a symbol for all of us to show that (Japan OLED, a joint venture between protection rating against
we can look beyond all these uncertainties, Panasonic, Sony, and Japan Display) as water, dust, humidity and
that there is a ‘normal’ ahead. I’m not going one of TCL’s panel suppliers, which is no insects. But in fact they are available for pre-order here
to call it a ‘new normal’ — it’s up to all of us surprise. TCL-owned Shenzhen China Star at $5995, $7995 and $10,995 for the 55, 65 and 75-inch
to look to the future and build and shape the Optoelectronics Technology (CSoT) had versions, including soundbar and wall-mounts.
normal that’s going to emerge. But nothing already announced an alliance with JOLED
beats real life.” to “start joint-development of large-sized TECHNICS DECK WITH
OLEDs for TV”. Indeed JOLED showed off RED BULL STAMINA
TCL’s AiPQ ENGINE GEN 2 inkjet-printed 55-inch OLED panels as early
as 2018, saying then that it lacked funding Having signed an official global partnership
TCL had a virtual launch at IFA, showcasing to develop such larger panels. Then this year with breakdance competition ‘Red Bull BC
already-announced models including its in June it announced mass production of One’ back in July, Technics used IFA to launch
EISA-winning C815 TV and the TS9030 OLED TV panels, just before launching a a limited edition SL-1210MK7R turntable, also
‘RAY’DANZ’ soundbar, also taking the patent infringement suit against Samsung to be called the Red Bull BC One. It takes the
opportunity to announce its latest TV proces- Electronics in the US for using its OLED Technics SL-1210MK7 deck as its base and
sor, the AiPQ Engine Gen 2, which optimises technologies on Galaxy phones sold there soups it up with various Red Bull-themed
4K colour, contrast and clarity by recognising — JOLED holds some 4000 patents relating design tweaks: a red headshell and gold-
content such as landscapes, night scenes, to organic technologies. JOLED claims that coloured S-shaped tone arm, along with a
animation, film and sport. It adjusts settings inkjet printing of OLEDs can lower costs and BC One slip mat and vinyl sticker.
separately for facial and background content, improve picture quality, but there are ques-
and also tweaks audio using its microphones tions over whether QDOLED would be able
to adjust the sound based on the surrounding to match or undercut current LG.Display
environment and ambient sounds. OLED panel pricing.

But Maciejewski is also reported as saying
there will be more than one supplier, which
puts Samsung Display in the picture. There
have been reports that while Samsung Display
is planning mass production of QDOLED
by Q2 next year, it’s possible that Samsung
Electronics won’t release them, choosing to
wait for the QNED technology (Quantum
dot Nanorod LED) also under development.
Hence TCL may have two paths to be first to
market with a QDOLED TV launch.

13

Gold & Carbon

Limited Editions

T ime is precious, so anniversaries are Sennheiser is
celebrated with special editions featuring marking no fewer
precious materials. Canada’s Simaudio than 75 years since
Moon is marking its 40th year with a run of just 40 it began under Fritz
Anniversary Edition versions of the Moon 680D Sennheiser as Laboratorium
streaming DAC and 600i v2 integrated amplifier Wennebostel, or ‘Labor W’,
(above), with vintage red chassis and gold chassis, celebrating with an Anniversary Edition
each with a commemorative gold plate embossed of its acclaimed HD 800 S headphone in gold, a
with logo and individual serial numbers — plus limited run of 750 with individual serial numbers.
matching remote control and flight cases. Price The price is $2599.95, same as the standard black
is $50,000 the set: www.busisoft.com.au version: www.sennheiser.com.au

Bowers & Wilkins is celebrating the 25th REL is celebrating 30 years, and has a
anniversary of its 600 series speakers with a 600 ‘Carbon’ Special limited edition subwoofer
Series Anniversary Edition (of which more to featuring REL’s third-gen carbon-fibre
come), and has also announced a Carbon edition 12-inch driver plus new bespoke CSP
of its PX7 wireless NC headphones (below), passive driver, and subtle use of carbon-
which have a deep black finish with contrasting fibre detailing among the silver accents.
diamond-cut logo and bezel edge on the earcup. Price is $6499 (for one: the picture shows
Price is the usual $599: www.bowerswilkins.com three stacked): www.synergyaudio.com

CARBON TRADING: Left
is Bowers & Wilkin’s PX7
‘Carbon’ edition head-
phones, and right three of
REL’s Carbon Special sub-
woofers showing their neat
stackability, each powered
by one of REL’s NextGen 5
1000W amplifier modules.

14



vinyl

group test

Unsleeve an LP,
wipe it, platter it,
brush your stylus,
start the motor,
lift the arm and
drop the needle.
Why? Because
it’s worth it.

▼ REVIEWED THIS ISSUE ▼ W hile we were preparing our But really, it’s no more mysterious than a CD. Vinyl
ENTRY-LEVEL turntable round-up for this issue, stores its information in spiral grooves, just as a CD
Pro-Ject PRIMARY E the news came through of vinyl’s stores information in a spiral of binary holes punched
audio-technica AT-LP3 latest triumph — in the first half of into metal. The turntable is the machine designed to
Sony LX-310BT 2020, vinyl sales in the US made more money than read back those groove bumps as accurately as possible,
CD sales. Nor was it a small lead; over the previous and with the least possible background noise. As a
MOVING UP year CD sales had collapsed by 47.6%, while vinyl electromechanical system there are few limits on how
audio-technica AT-LP120XUSB sales rose modestly. (Unsurprisingly the biggest far up the art of turntable design can go: our round-up
Music Hall MMF-1.5 rises overall were in paid streaming subscriptions.) here tops out somewhere north of $30,000 (otherwise we
Sony PS-X500 might have included, for Australian pride, the Döhmann
Pro-Ject JUKE BOX E So it seems the 21st-century music system now Helix turntables, the latest One MkII model being a little
Yamaha MUSICCAST VINYL 500 requires two music sources — some way to stream, under $80,000). But we start rather lower, with afford-
Pro-Ject X1 and a turntable for playing vinyl. And you know able decks from Pro-Ject, audio-technica and Sony.
Technics SL-1500C what? We couldn’t be happier with that solution.
Mobile Fidelity STUDIODECK+ So there are suitable turntables here whether you’re
We have readers in three different scenarios. starting out in vinyl for the first time, seeking a deck to
TOP DECKS Some have always played vinyl and always will, and return you to the joys of the black stuff, or perhaps are
McIntosh MT2 are quietly celebrating its survival, just a bit miffed ready to be tempted into an upgrade from a longheld
Rega PLANAR 10 that its wider popularity means that vinyl bargain disc-spinner which is reaching the end of its days.
Yamaha GT-5000 bins in op shops are now a thing of the past. A
SME SYNERGY second group are kicking themselves because they We also take a look at the Record Doctor cleaning
Linn KLIMAX LP12 once had a turntable and vinyl collection but gave system, which tends to an important part of the vinyl
it all away during the years of decline, and now experience — looking after your prized collection, and
wish they hadn’t. Thirdly we have many readers cleaning up purchases made at vinyl fairs or donated
who have never owned a turntable before, and from friends’ attics because, hey, you have a turntable.
who regard what they call “a vinyl” with a sense of
wonderment at its enormity, its physicality, and the Remember also to relax, and enjoy. Vinyl is about
the mysterious rituals of vinyl replay. giving a programmed side of music your undivided
attention. We’ll have no background music here!

16

vinyl
group test

BUDGET record (fully automatic). The additional mechanics BELT DRIVE OR DIRECT DRIVE
There’s no other hi-fi component where spending can affect sound quality, which is why you’re If you’re DJing, direct drive offers faster start-up
a little more can reap returns as in turntables. expected to do all that work yourself on higher-level and an easier possibility of speed control for beat-
Being complex mechanical systems, the difference decks which are putting sound quality first. But we matching. Otherwise we’d traditionally have said go
between entry-level and mid-level, or between confess we find at least semi-automatic operation belt-drive for the better sonic isolation and speed
mid-level and the high-end, can be profound. pretty handy, especially for playing singles or late at stability — except that some modern direct-drive
So if there’s somewhere to spend a few extra dollars night when we fall asleep while listening... turntables are proving highly adept at hi-fi replay.
on your system, the turntable is the place.
THE CARTRIDGE STRANGE MODERN FEATURES
PHONO STAGE Don’t underestimate your cartridge! It makes all A built-in phono stage means you could plug your
The signal from a cartridge is very small, and the sound; the rest of the turntable is just a support turntable straight into a pair of active speakers for
requires its own phono amplification and EQ. This system to keep the cartridge in the groove and a cool and minimalist system. There’s one turntable
can be just a dedicated phono input on an amplifier, free from external vibration. The cartridge isn’t in this group which has its own amplifiers too, so it’s
but if your amp doesn’t have one of those, you’ll something you’re likely to worry about at purchase, a whole system, just add a pair of passive speakers.
need a standalone phono stage to do the job — or because nearly all decks these days come with
a turntable which has its own phono stage built in. one, and many are pre-installed and aligned so And there are turntables which have USB-B
Several in our round-up have this option (look for a you won’t need to master the complicated process output, so they can play into computers (and be
line-level output option in our specs boxes), and you of cartridge installation and alignment. However, recorded), or which offer Bluetooth output, so
can always flick a switch to return to phono-level a replacement cartridge can provide a budget- that they can send their output wirelessly to a pair
output if you want to upgrade your sound by adding friendly upgrade path, and you will need to swap of Bluetooth speakers or a Bluetooth-equipped
a superior external box later. out your cartridge (or stylus, if it’s separately amplifier (‘meh’ — we’d recommend cables if you
replaceable) eventually because the diamond point can) or to Bluetooth headphones (a great solution).
AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL of the stylus will wear out. How quickly? Somewhere
It’s one of vinyl’s ironies that the more you spend, between 1000 and 3000 hours of playing time — let SUPPORT AND CLEAN
the less likely you are to have automatic operation, your ears be your guide. If you consider upgrading All hi-fi benefits from good solid support, but a
where the arm lifts itself off the vinyl at the end from a moving-magnet cartridge to a superior turntable most of all — keep it level, isolated from
of the record (semi-automatic) or does the whole moving-coil breed, make sure your phono stage can vibration, and clean. Clean your vinyl too, even if it’s
start-up too, moving the arm and dropping it on the handle the lower signals from this cartridge type. just a wipe with a non-shedding cloth (cloth nappies
are good) before and after each spin of a disc.

17

vinyl

Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject’s I t’ll come as no surprise to those who have latter), so that all you’re required to do is attach the belt
entry-level even a passing knowledge of today’s turntable to one of the two motor pulleys, which provide 33⅓rpm
turntable may market to find Pro-Ject not only opening our or 45rpm — you reposition the belt manually to change
be entirely basic, review extravaganza but reappearing several between the two speeds.
but it delivers times. “Pro-Ject, who I love, have four million
the sonic turntables — 17 different colours, 27 shapes,” jokes The attached RCA cable provides the output at phono
fundamentals Roy Hall of Music Hall turntables (see p28), and level — there’s no built-in phono stage here, though a
required to he should know, as his own turntables are also version with one is available for $449. Otherwise you’ll
make it a fine made by Pro-Ject’s founder Heinz Leichnegger, need either an turntable input on your amplifier or a
first turntable. who invested in Czech turntable factories at a time separate phono stage to lift the signal to line level and
when vinyl was on the way out. Since it came back apply the requisite RIAA phono equalisation. A standard
SPECS & PRICING with a vengeance Pro-Ject has been in a unique cover keeps the Primary E’s chassis dust-free.
position to deliver turntables, arms and electronics
Pro-Ject Primary E not only under its own brand but for others too — Basic, then, yet the Primary E delivers an entertain-
sometimes declared, like Music Hall, other times ingly musical performance. It’s not going to blow away
Price: $369 secretively rebranding Pro-Ject’s work as their own. decks at double or four times the price — Pro-Ject’s
+ An enjoyable temperament ‘millions’ of tiered turntables provide a performance path
+ Nails the sonic basics This Primary E turntable is the most affordable to higher things — but the Primary E confidently nails
– Entirely free of frills traditionally-designed Pro-Ject turntable, so the basics, from an even tonal balance to a delivery that’s
Type: belt-drive, manual it’s entirely no-frills in design, yet it nails the clear, clean and spacious enough to keep things coherent.
Platter: MDF fundamentals so effectively that its performance There are glimpses of dynamic insight and subtlety to its
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+( sails levels above those “my first turntables” you presentation that will adequately deliver the basic joys of
Outputs: Phono-level may find cluttering up the shelves of post offices. It vinyl, with decent body and substance, a sense of drive
Dimensions (whd): has the look of a proper hi-fi deck, available in black and momentum, its detail more than passable in the
усп 3 ррс 3 ттп(( or white, the chassis’s edges and corners a little on company of suitable amplification and speakers. You
Weightѷ уѵп&" the sharp side perhaps, but nevertheless fitted with may not disappear into the realism and scale of its vinyl
Contact: Interdyn a straight 22cm tonearm and a respectable Ortofon sound, as higher decks allow, but it doesn’t squeak nasally
Telephone: пт шусх тхфпѵ OM5S moving magnet cartridge. You won’t have to like a budget turntable-in-a-suitcase.
Web: 222ѵ+-*% / 0 $*ѵ *(ѵ 0 spend an hour of your time setting it up, since the
anti-skate weight and the 1.7g tracking force Entirely basic, then, and not without rivals, but the
are pre-set (there’s a stylus pressure Primary E is fully focused on delivering all the sound
gauge in the box for
checking the this level of investment can achieve, which is just as it
should be. It makes an ideal first turntable.

18

Your ultimate home theatre
experience starts here...

VPL-VW590ES

4K HDR Home projector with awe-inspiring clarity

Experience crystal-clear 4K HDR with brightness that lights up
the room. Sony’s X1 processor for projector with Dynamic HDR
Enhancer delivers a contrast ratio of 350,000:1. Every scene
springs to life with finer detail, realism, and deep blacks.

VPL-VW790ES

Revel in stunning 4K HDR laser clarity in home theatre

With Sony’s X1 processor for projector and 2,000 lumens, you’ll
experience rich cinematic colors, smooth motion, and dazzling
brightness. A highly efficient laser light source gives you years of
illumination and infinite dynamic contrast. Its compact size gives
greater installation flexibility in any room size.

For your nearest authorised Sony Dealer visit: www.audioactive.com.au

E&OE

vinyl

audio-technica

Entry-level pricing audio-technica AT-LP3
and convenience
features, yet with P ut a turntable in your lounge and records Automatic operation: pros & cons
a remarkably play themselves. Doubly so with an
hi-fi sound: automatic turntable — it’s so very easy, The AT-LP3 is fully automatic. In the topsy-turvy world of
the AT-LP3 and such a delight, to unjacket a disc, turntables, automatism is never applied to high-end turn-
is an affordable put it on, press ‘Start’. Sometimes it’s background, tables because all those extra gears and the mechanical
favourite that sometimes it just can’t be background, it’s too detection of position can affect replay. But for more casual
won’t disappoint. darned involving, and almost by definition, it’s vinyl listeners it’s handy to have a turntable that stops play
music you know and love, not a Tidal Rising automatically at the end of a side, rather than grinding
SPECS & PRICING playlist. This AT-LP3 is still built to a price, of round the exit groove for hours on end. Here you can also
course, and with turntables almost more than any start automatically — load the record, close the lid, press
audio-technica AT-LP3 other hi-fi component, you reap seriously signifi- ‘Start’. You could almost let your kids do it... almost, as it’s a
cant rewards as you raise your expenditure. But if little too easy to set it off when no record is loaded, ditching
Price: $399 you’re coming back to vinyl and this is your budget, the stylus onto rotating rubber – so keep the cueing lever
the AT-LP3 is an instant favourite — looking great raised when the deck is not in use!
+ Sound beyond entry-level in white and red, a good cartridge, a seriously great
+ Fully automatic sound for the price, and phono stage included. A A second rear switch brings the turntable’s internal
+ Line-level as well as phono clean mean spinner of joy. phono stage into circuit, so you can output usefully at line
‫*
۔‬1 /# 2#$/ ҁ)ҁ- ‫)ޔ‬$.# level if your amplifier or wireless speaker doesn’t have a
– Easy to start accidentally The tonearm is a superior 221mm straight phono stage of its own. The platter is the same die-cast
Type: belt-drive, fully automatic balanced design with a radial ball bearing for hori- aluminium as on the company’s lower AT-LP60 varia-
Platter: aluminium zontal movement, a proper separate counterweight tions, but the mat is upgraded to a thicker 4.5mm rubber.
Speeds: 33, 45rpm and a nicely hydraulic damping to its lift lever. The
Outputs: Line-level, phono level cartridge comes separately though pre-installed in Performance is a level above its pricing. From either its
Dimensions (whd): its headshell ready for screwing into its collar. It’s line-level or its phono-level output the AT-LP3 delivers
435 x 128 x 353mm an AT91R, a tweaked version of the AT91 (the ‘R’ a surprising level of openness, clarity and resolution,
Weight: 5.2kg for red, we suspect), a dual-magnet design with with textures and vocals far better and more realistically
Contact: Audio-Technica Australia aluminium alloy tube cantilever and a bonded delivered than many would expect from a deck at this
Telephone: 02 9519 0900 conical stylus. The removable universal AT-HS3 price. On Supertramp’s Asylum the drum break and
Web: www.audio-technica.com.au headshell means that other cartridges can be used its closing panned yowl were present and real, all with
should you desire a change, and a rear switch selects impact and timing, not a timing smear to be heard. This is
between moving magnet and moving coil types. one great do-it-all entry-level turntable.

20

“…a sound packed
with authority…
the 606 S2s are
now the speakers
to beat at this level.”

For the 607 S2
love of music. Anniversary Edition

For decades, we have poured our passion Oak
for performance and our love of music into
everything we do, from our most affordable 603 S2 606 S2 HTM6 S2
loudspeakers to our studio-quality 800 Series Anniversary Edition Anniversary Edition Anniversary Edition
Diamond range. Now, our 600 Series has Red Cherry Matte White Matte Black
turned 25 – an occasion we think is worth
celebrating in style. Optional STAV24 floor
stand shown
Introducing the NEW 600 Series
Anniversary Edition, featuring improved
performance and two new cabinet finishes,
Oak and Red Cherry, in addition to our
standard Matte Black and Matte White options.

For more information or to find you nearest
Bowers & Wilkins dealer, visit www.bowerswilkins.com
Or contact us: 02 9196 8990 or info-au@bowerswilkins.com

BowersWilkinsAu

vinyl

Sony

Sony PS-LX310BT

Sony’s entry-level L ike many other companies, Sony has been Going digital
turntable offers encouraged back to vinyl, releasing first
four ways to the impressive PS-HX500 (see p30), then Given you’re opting for the analogue life, it’s a surprise
play, including more recently this PS-LX310BT, a lower to find a choice of two digital outputs on a turntable at
Bluetooth model, yet bringing a new level of functionality to this price. Sony offers not only the headline Bluetooth
streaming to a the party — Bluetooth output. streaming, but also a USB-B connection for recording your
wireless speaker vinyl to a computer. Unlike Sony’s higher deck (see p28) no
or to headphones So here there are four ways to play. Like the software is supplied here but Audacity (a free program) is
for a private vinyl turntables of old, it can output direct from the able to record the Sony’s output at up to 16-bit/44.1kHz.
experience, no cartridge at phono level, requiring a phono stage
other equipment in your amplifier or as an external box. Don’t have We were also surprised how hard a time we had
required... one of those? Flick the rear switch and the Sony’s picking the phono output from the line-level output, and
internal phono stage raises the signal to line level. even the Bluetooth output when aptX was engaged. The
SPECS & PRICING panned acoustic guitars of Pigs On The Wing pt2 from
As with the higher Sony turntable, there is a Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ (2016 remaster on 180g) best
Sony PS-LX310BT USB-B socket which can connect to a computer illuminated the differences, the Bluetooth output adding
for recording your vinyl (see panel). And new here slight sibilance to the vocal and edge to the guitars, while
Price: $399 is the ability to send music from the turntable via the phono output was more cleanly delivered. But the
Bluetooth, making possible a wireless connection wireless expereince was great fun — paired with Sony’s
+ Vinyl on wireless headphones! with a Bluetooth speaker, Bluetooth-equipped amp aptX-equipped XM1000mk3 headphones, we wandered
+ Good sound at the price or, rather deliciously, direct to a pair of wireless within the Bluetooth range limit enjoying plenty of level
+ Four outputs for versatility headphones. The Bluetooth output supports SBC and an enjoyable quality of sound, returning every 20
– You could spend more and aptX, so headphones with aptX can achieve minutes or so to switch or flip over LPs.
near-CD quality reception (if one dare use the term
to get more sound quality ‘CD-quality’ to describe vinyl via Bluetooth). We had one moment of confusion with this deck’s
automatic operation: there’s no finger arm-lift with
Type: belt-drive, automatic Of course, clever stuff like this is no use unless which to raise and lower the arm — this turned out to be
Platter: aluminium the vinyl playback is of a quality worth listening controlled mechanically from the right-hand button on
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+( to. And despite choosing a lower-quality cartridge the front edge of the plinth.
Outputs: Line-level, phono, USB, and a non-removable headshell, Sony again shows
Bluetooth that it hasn’t forgotten how to achieve high-value With Bluetooth, line-level and automatic bonuses
Dimensions (whd): vinyl performance. It was immediately obvious that on top of a decent-sounding deck for the price, Sony’s
утп 3 рпч 3 тхцmm this is no cheapie ‘post office’ turntable. Michael simple-looking LX310 proved an attractive proposition
Weightѷ тѵф&" Nyman’s soundtrack LP to ‘The Draughtsman for the modern listener returning to the joys of vinyl.
Contact: Sony Australia Contract’ played with extraordinarily little surface
Telephone: ртпп рт цххш noise, while the music lifted far above this, notable
Web: www.sony.com.au for its tightness, the central pulse of bass guitar and
bass on Queen of the Night hard-edged and punchy.
The strings were perhaps edgy rather than smooth,
but there was depth, particularly on the last track
of the side, The Garden is Becoming a Robe Room,
where a significant wave of bass was added to the
surging strings and pummelling harpsichords.

22

Marantz CR612

A true Hi-Fi System in an elegant design featuring CD playback, DAB+,
and modern music streaming sources with HEOS built-in.

The elegant Marantz MELODY CR612 network CD receiver supports near limitless streaming
platforms through AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and HEOS connectivity. The built-in disc player is

compatible with music CDs, CD-R/CD-RW discs, and is equipped with DAB+ and FM tuners.

Use your voice to control the MELODY CR612 with Amazon Alexa,
Google Assistant or Apple Siri for seamless ease of use.

www.marantz.com.au

audio-technica AT-LP120XUSB

Direct drive brings T he majority of turntables in our group Bonus Bluetooth, sir?
DJ advantages this issue are belt-driven, but this
of speed control Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is A new version of this turntable was recently released
and rapid start-up direct-drive, where the motor is an at $749, the AT-LP120xBT-USB, which is identical to this
— how does that integral part of the platter, so there are no belts version other than adding a Bluetooth 5.0 output. Using
affect the sound of and no pulleys involved. DJs favour direct drive, this you can send your vinyl replay wirelessly to either a
this deck for day- most famously in Technics’ SL-1200 (the MkII Bluetooth speaker or a pair of wireless Bluetooth head-
to-day replay? version of which is pictured below for comparison phones. Although it seems counter-intuitive to take the
purposes), which ruled the scene until 2010, when analogue joys of vinyl and then digitise them, we do find the
Panasonic announced it was ceasing manufacture ability to wander the home listening to vinyl on Bluetooth
of all Technics products. It has more recently headphones a novel and enjoyable experience, combining
reversed that decision, but in the inter-vacillation both classic analogue and modern digital technologies.
period, Audio-Technica and Pioneer (along with
several other less well-known brands) began selling Equipment
turntables that were near clones of that model.
One of these was the AT-LP120, here reviewed in Why do DJ’s like direct drive? One reason is speed
its ‘XUSB’ version, and still more recently released control. All belt-drive turntables will have some inherent
(see panel) in a version which adds the bonus of degree of wow and flutter (even though this might be
Bluetooth output. inaudibly low). With direct drive, the speed is controlled
via what’s called a servo, which can be a d.c. servo, as in
SUMMARY the case of this Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB, or a
Phase Locked Loop (PLL).
audio-technica
AT-LP120XUSB This means that the speed of the platter is being
constantly monitored and variations compensated for in
Price: $649 real time, which gives very exact control over the speed of
that platter. This, combined with the tremendous torque
+ Direct-drive DJ advantages
+ Built-in phono stage of a direct-drive motor, means that the platter of
+ USB computer connection
◀ INSPIRATION: the Technics SL1200MkII,
– Bass could be improved by from which the AT-LP120 clearly takes its cues.
cartridge upgrade

24

vinyl

audio-technica

a direct-drive turntable can move from “Why a strobe, when direct drive claims to rotate at
stationary to 33⅓rpm in less than one second. exactly the right speed? It may have originally started
as a marketing exercise to demonstrate its superiority.”
Being able to vary that speed — instantly
and precisely — is another reason. Such pitch countries. When the platter speed is exact, AT-VM95E dual-magnet high-output
control systems originally offered perhaps the dots ‘appear’ to be stationary. If the moving-magnet cartridge.
5 per cent adjustment, because they were platter is running slow, the dots will appear
there to compensate for recording engineers to creep backwards; if it’s running fast, they’ll As you’ve no doubt already guessed from
who had tweaked the pitch of a recording creep forwards. the last three letters in the model name, the
slightly to fit it on the vinyl. This is why, on AT-LP120XUSB has an analogue-to-digital
the AT-LP120XUSB, there is a pitch control, Why a strobe at all, when direct drive converter built in, so that while you are
although it’s labelled ‘Tempo’, rather than claims to rotate at exactly the right speed? It playing an LP you can also be creating a
‘Pitch’. It’s a slider control, so that DJs can may have originally started as a marketing digital version to record to a computer
operate it accurately and repeatably even exercise to demonstrate the superiority of connected to the turntable’s USB-B socket.
under low light conditions, and it offers up direct drive over belt drive. Most belt-drive No software is provided; Audio-Technica
to ±16% speed variation over two different turntable manufacturers wouldn’t dare build suggests you use the free audio recorder/
ranges (–8 to +8% and –16 to +16%). Range in a stroboscope for fear of what it might editor program Audacity.
switching is accomplished via the large reveal. Another reason for strobe markings?
button at the end of the pitch slider control They look so very cool! Since a pre-requisite to digital output is
that’s closest to the tonearm. The button to the inclusion of a phono stage within the
the left of the pitch slider control is a ‘quartz The post towards the middle right at the turntable itself, the AT-LP120XUSB offers
lock’ button that, when pressed, instantly front of the AT-LP120XUSB is the support a line-level input as well as the raw output
returns the speed to whatever speed you for a cueing light, which allows you to find from the AT-VM95E phono cartridge (or
have selected using the two small rectangular the exact track you want on an LP, another any other cartridge you’ve installed) direct.
speed select switches at the front left of the boon for DJs working in dark environments, Rather than providing two separate outputs,
turntable. Two buttons, three speeds? Yep, though also useful for audiophiles, who Audio-Technica uses one set of output
you press the left-most button down for 33⅓ tend to like darkened rooms as well. On the terminals (gold-plated RCA sockets) and
rpm, the right-most button down for 45rpm, AT-LP120XUSB it’s removable, as you can provides switch selection between the two
or press both together for 78rpm. see from the close-up photograph overleaf. output levels.

And that big square switch alongside The S-shaped tonearm fitted to the Performance
these two switches is not, as you might AT-LP120XUSB has static downforce adjust-
have expected, the power switch. It instead ment provided by way of a counter-weight on Placement of the AT-LP120XUSB will require
starts and stops the platter, and that start the other side of the pivot, but anti-skating some forethought, because a direct-drive turn-
and stop are near-instantaneous. The real is applied dynamically, via tensioning, using able’s bête noire is external vibration, since
power switch is located, rather strangely, as a small rotary dial at the base of the tonearm it’s not possible to isolate the motor from
a rotary control atop the strobe light pillar at mount. The headshell at the end of the the chassis. Audio-Technica has addressed
the left side of the AT-LP120XUSB, which tonearm tube uses the standard universal this through the use of four very large, very
is used in conjunction with the four lines mount, so more light-weight versions can be compliant (‘springy’) feet. Depending on your
of engraved ‘dots’ on the sloping side of the swapped in to adjust tonearm mass. home, you may find it necessary to place the
platter to show whether the platter is rotating turntable on an isolation platform.
at the ‘correct’ speed — either 33⅓ or 45rpm As supplied, that headshell on the
speeds. So why four lines of engraved dots? AT-LP120XUSB (a fairly heavy AT-HS6 So far as speed accuracy is concerned, the
Because two are for countries where the type) was home to an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB proved the merit of direct
mains frequency is 50Hz (such as here in
Australia) and the other two are for 60Hz

Three output choices phono level from its RCA phono sockets. There’s Big feet
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB has its own also a USB-B connection for a computer, which can Direct-drive turntables are relatively sensitive to
phono stage built in, so you can use the small /# ) 0. .*ȅ2 - җ)*/ .0++'$ Ҙ /* $"$/$. ) structure-borne vibration, which is here mitigated
switch to choose between either line-level or - *- /# *0/+0/ !*- ' / - ‫ 'ޔ‬Ҋ . +' 4 &ѵ by the turntable’s four large and springy feet.

25

vinyl

audio-technica

drive in this regard, being pitch perfect. As because they were made with far higher- AT-95E’s stylus. Sonic fluidity? A belt-drive
for wow and flutter, slow piano music is the priced cartridges and turntables and USB model in the same price bracket might well
best for establishing its audibility, and a spin interface. Hardly a level playing field, but it improve on the AT-LP120XUSB in this
of Alexandre Tharaud’s version of Eric Satie’s makes the point of undertaking this process department, but only if it’s properly set-up
‘Gymnopédies’ (a very fine version) showed at the best possible quality. Having said that, and maintained, which could prove to be
this to be similarly singularly delivered by being we wouldn’t turn up our noses at the versions a chore unless you’re a devoted turntablist.
entirely absent from our listening experience. we made using the AT-LP120XUSB: If they If you want to make the comparison (and
were all we had, we’d happily play them. we certainly suggest you do, because
Switching to Joe Farrell’s fabulous ‘Canned belt-drive turntables do sound different
Funk’ LP from way back in 1975, we had some Conclusion to direct-drives), perhaps compare it with
reservations about the bass of the AT-VM95E Audio-Technica’s own AT-LPW40WN.
cartridge, not least because we have heard If you’re attracted by the Technics Overall, and especially for DJ use, there’s no
this cartridge sound better, but that was about comparison, you can certainly see the value doubt the pros far outweigh the cons.
the extent of any complaints, as everything on offer here. Compare this turntable with
upwards was highly enjoyable. Listening to the latest Technics SL-1210Mk7, while Audio-Technica’s AT-LP120XUSB is a
Clare Torry’s wordless vocals on Floyd’s Great remembering that the Technics doesn’t come well-designed, full-featured, robustly-built,
Gig in the Sky, the AT-LP120 was able to with a phono cartridge or a USB output, high-performance ‘work-horse’ turntable that
transmit the very ache in her vocal as well as and there’s a difference of around $1000. Is will be ideal for anyone who wants fuss-free
the air and presence — it’s the air, in particular, the Audio-Technica deck well-made, tough vinyl replay for their lifetime. And if you want
that makes ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ sound so enough to withstand the rigours of day-to- to do some DJ-ing on the side, choosing a
much better on LP than on SACD (or CD). day use? We reckon so. It’s low-maintenance, direct-drive turntable is a no-brainer.
and boasts a large feature set — it comes
It’s also worthwhile searching out ‘Shady with pre-installed cartridge, built-in strobe, SPECS
Grove’ on Mobile Fidelity, with Jerry Garcia all three platter speeds, removable cueing
and David Grisman, worth every penny just for light, pitch adjustment, built-in RIAA phono audio-technica AT-LP120XUSB $649
the sound of Garcia’s acoustic guitar (appar- amplifier, USB output, hinged turntable lid,
ently it’s the heavy strings that work the magic) all the cables supplied with it, plus a 45 rpm Type: direct-drive, fully manual
but also so you can marvel at the sound of the adaptor as well. Platter: aluminium
mandolin… and, of course, the musicianship. Speeds: 33‫ۄ‬, 45, 78rpm
Which really leaves only that eternal Outputs: Line-level, phono level, USB-B
We used the USB output to transfer audiophile question hanging in the air: Dimensions (whd): 452 x 142 x 352mm
three albums we’d previously archived via how does it sound? Weight: 8kg
other means. The AT-LP120XUSB’s in-built
digital-to-analogue converter did a good job, Well you certainly won’t get better pitch Contact: Audio-Technica Australia
though ultimately the results are limited by the accuracy, and the same really goes for wow Telephone: 02 9519 0900
price, and if you’re making a one-time archive and flutter. We think the bass could be Web: www.audio-technica.com.au
of your vinyl, it makes sense to do so with the improved by a cartridge upgrade, but the
best possible turntable you can lay hands on. improvement in sound won’t be so dramatic
Our previous transfers were superior-sounding that it couldn’t wait until you’d worn out the

26

Home cinema and
hi-fi rooms have never
sounded so good!

Contact Cogworks for package www.artnovion.com
options and access to Artnovion’s

bespoke design service

vinyl

Music Hall

Music Hall MMF-1.5

With its combo of M usic Hall was among the first Mr Hall will
solid engineering purveyors of ‘plug’n’play’ turntables see you now
and attractive of hi-fi quality. Until Roy Hall’s
cherry-veneer innovation in this regard, the only Interviewing Roy Hall
finish, this fully set-up decks available were low-quality boxed requires little preparation:
Music Hall record players, while audiophile-grade turntables just start the recorder
turntable proves a seemed to deliberately complicate the work and sit back to enjoy a
stand-out model required before the buyer could play an LP, almost raconteur at work… he’s
under $1000. as an inverse indicator of the turntable’s quality. So also startlingly honest.
while Music Hall’s mmf-1.5 isn’t exactly a ‘turn-key’
SUMMARY model, because you do have to do some assembly “I design the turntables,
and alignment yourself, it’s pretty straight-forward, but in reality I’m a plagiarist,”
Music Hall mmf-1.5 and yet it’s a truly hi-fi performer. he happily admitted to us
in one such conversation.
Price: $699 Equipment “There’s not a single
+ Excellent sound for the price original thought in any of
+ Built-in phono stage Another Music Hall achievement is that, despite my projects, I just steal. But I give credit!”
+ Easy speed adjustment the eminently reasonable $699 price-tag here, this
+ Classy cherry-wood veneer doesn’t present as an entry-level turntable. It has We asked him about the connection between Music Hall
– Non-adjustable feet a high-gloss cherry-wood veneered finish, a nicely and Pro-Ject, through Heinz Lichtenegger.
engineered S-shaped tonearm which has a remov-
able headshell, and a high-quality hinged Perspex “Heinz makes them for me, yes... in fact we are ‘Pro-Ject
dustcover. It even has a high-quality heavy-duty done right’ — that’s what we do,” said Mr Hall, with a smirk.
rubber platter mat in place of the flimsy felt ones “The entry-level of the .3 series, for example, is similar
usually supplied at this end of the market. to the [Pro-Ject] Debut Carbon, but they only have two
bearings on the arm, we have four on the assembly; they
The mmf-1.5 is a belt-driven three-speed turn- have an inexpensive Ortofon cartridge on that package,
table, its tonearm pre-installed with a ‘Melody’ we put in a very good-sounding Music Hall cartridge
moving-magnet phono cartridge, and it also has a made by Audio-Technica. So it’s a bit more expensive, but
built-in phono preamplifier, so the mmf-1.5 can be sonically it’s more fun, much more musical. And we give
connected directly to the line input of any ampli- good customer service, which is important. In our manuals
fier. The Melody is made especially for Music Hall we actually encourage people if they need help to call
by Audio-Technica, so we have no idea what it us, and we’ll pick up the phone and we’ll spend 10 or 15
costs Music Hall, but Audio-Technica’s most minutes with the customer helping them set up the arm or
popular low-cost cartridge is its AT-95, which whatever... because if you don’t, they just put it all back in
usually retails for around $80. the box, and you get a box of garbage back...”

The unit comes with the cartridge pre-installed
into the headshell — which is supplied separately

28

vinyl

Music Hall

in the packaging — so all you have to do is “a really smooth, lovely-sounding cartridge presenting
push and twist the headshell into the S-shaped admirable detail, channel separation and excellent
tonearm, which looks suspiciously like it came frequency extension in both the bass and treble.”
from a Technics SL-1200 turntable (see also
the Audio-Technica AT-LP120xUSB). indicates that the motor control unit (MCU) the track builds. The Melody reproduced
It turned out, however, that although the has memorised the setting. You need to do guitarist Peter Buck’s deft finger-picking
Melody cartridge had been pre-installed, it this separately for all three speeds, and then perfectly clearly, and the cartridge’s bass
had not been pre-aligned, the calibration being any adjustment you’ve made is retained in delivery was more than up to delivering the
several millimetres in error. We had to move memory even if you turn off the turntable or rhythmic underpinnings of Mike Mills (bass)
the cartridge mounting bolts to the extreme power it down. and Bill Berry (drums) in a tight, forceful
end of the tracks in the headshell. Music Hall manner. It was also up to delivering the
doesn’t provide any type of cartridge align- We listened first to the raw phono output, myriad sonic complexities of the album’s
ment tool in the packaging, which would bypassing the mmf-1.5’s own phono pream- two finest tracks, Nightswimming and Find
normally mean loaning one or getting your plifier. The Music Hall Melody cartridge is the River. On vinyl, the ‘mood’ of these songs
own, but in this case, because the correct fitted with a conical stylus, rather than an is completely different than when you hear
alignment is with the cartridge bolts at the elliptical one, unusual at this level, yet conical them played from a digital file, even when it’s
extreme end of the track, you’ll easily be able styluses are tougher and generally sound on a relatively budget spinner like the Music
to align the cartridge correctly without need better than elliptical styluses when replaying Hall mmf-1.5.
for a protractor. worn or scratched LPs. Also a conical stylus
is really the only stylus shape that should be You’ll certainly hear the way vinyl can
You also have to fit the counterweight, used when playing 78 rpm records, which are deliver ‘mood’ better than digital no better
and adjust the tracking force to 2 grams, much rougher on styluses than ordinary LPs. than on Leonard Cohen’s ‘Popular Problems’.
the recommended tracking force for the While even the best songs on this album
Melody cartridge, and set the anti-skating dial, But once listening to the Melody, we perhaps don’t touch his early masterpieces,
which is simply a matter of turning it to the forgot about what shape its diamond stylus the emotional delivery is superb… you hear
‘2’ calibration mark. was, because the sound it was delivering was the suffering behind the lyric, yet at the same
excellent — a really smooth, lovely-sounding time also the redemption waiting just around
Dustcover hinges attached and fitted cartridge presenting admirable detail, good the corner. ‘Popular Problems’ on vinyl takes
(though not pictured here), and power and channel separation and excellent frequency you to a place that ‘Popular Problems’ on
motor power cables connected, it’s ready to go. extension in both the bass and treble, though digital just does not.
noticeably less so on the innermost tracks
Performance of an LP, particularly when there’s material Even with the slowest piano music we
that’s difficult to trace (such as on Emerson had available, we could not hear anything in
Adjusting the platter speed on the Music Lake and Palmer’s ‘Tarkus’ LP). the mmf-1.5’s reproduced sound that could
Hall mmf-1.5 is very simple, which was just be attributed to either wow or flutter. The
as well, as when we attached a strobe card it Listening to the lovely-sounding electric pitching was rock-steady and sustained high-
seemed in need of adjustment. You simply piano triplets on Everybody Hurts from frequency sounds were perfectly pure. Neither
press and hold the platter speed knob at the REM’s wonderful album ‘Automatic for could we any low-frequency contributions
rear of the turntable (it’s just alongside the DC the People’ was thoroughly enjoyable, and from either the main platter bearing or the
input socket) until the red LED alongside it becomes more powerful and pervasive as drive motor while listening to music. The
illuminates (about two seconds) then turn the sound was as clean as a whistle.
knob clockwise to increase speed or counter
clockwise to decrease it. When the speed is Conclusion
correct, wait until the red LED turns off, which
The Music Hall mmf 1.5 is a superb turntable
at the price whose performance and appear-
ance belies that ticket... big-time. Not only
an exceptional performer; it also looks
exceptionally good into the bargain.

SPECS $699

Built-in phono stage Speed adjustment Music Hall mmf-1.5
# .( '' .2$/ # /* /# ' ȅ *! /# . ) "-*0) * ).0- 0- / +$/ #Ѷ " / ./-* - *) /#
*)) /$*) .2$/ # . /2 ) - 2 +#*)* *0/+0/ ) +' // - ) 0. /# .( '' .+ %0./( )/ $ ' / Type: belt-drive, fully manual
/# 0$'/Ҋ$) +#*)* ./ " ҁ. '$) Ҋ' 1 ' *0/+0/ѵ /# - -Ѷ 2#$ # 2*-&. $) $1$ 0 ''4 !*- # .+ ѵ Platter: aluminium
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уфѶ цч-+(
Outputs:
$) Ҋ' 1 'Ѷ +#*)* ' 1 'Ѷ Ҋ
Dimensions (whd): утф 3 рсц 3 тхц((
Weight: фѵу&"
Contact: *)1*4
)/ -) /$*) '
Telephone: пс шццу шшпп
Web: 222ѵ(0.$ # '' 0 $*ѵ *(ѵ 0

29

vinyl

Sony

Sony PS-HX500

This was Sony’s S ony’s higher-level turntable is impressively Recording via USB
first turntable understated — low, black, no massive logo
release in decades, on the mat, an exercise in restraint. But You download Sony’s recording program, available for
bringing in long- what about this high-res audio logo on the Windows 7, 8 and 10, and for Mac from OS X 10.9 and up.
standing Sony right side of the plinth? This is vinyl — analogue, There’s an alarming License Agreement, but it installed
personnel to not digital; how is it ‘high-res’ exactly? easily, though apparently twice. You select your preferred
rekindle vinyl quality from two levels of DSD or PCM at 16/24-bit and from
magic as well The answer is that Sony’s $799 turntable, in 44.1kHz right up to 192kHz. Sony warns the software is
as a thoroughly addition to being an analogue source with its “not capable of playback”, so we wondered how you could
modern feature moving-magnet cartridge playing at phono-level, reliably top and tail recordings, or split sides into tracks, but
set, including also has an electronics section within. This includes in fact it does play, and you can insert markers between
USB recording. its own phono stage, so you can flick a switch to tracks (with slightly limited accuracy) then add metadata
deliver line-level output instead. But there’s more for each before saving them. Our recording results were
SPECS & PRICING — as with the lesser Sony and Audio-Technica’s good, so far as this level of turntable can achieve.
AT-LP120xUSB, there is also a USB-B socket,
Sony PS-HX500 with a cable provided to link to your computer. individual acoustics around individual elements were
Sony goes another level here in including its own audible if not as analytical as we’ve heard at, say, $1500,
Price: $799 software for PC or Mac, and doing the conversion on a Thorens TD 203, which we had set up alongside.
at high-res levels rather than ‘CD quality’ — indeed
+ Solid sound with excellent to 24-bit/192kHz in PCM, or at 2.8 or 5.6kHz DSD. A Sony strength, though, was resolving power, sepa-
soundstaging rating each instrument cleanly, with neither confusion
The straight tonearm is around 22cm long, with nor compression. Playing Keith Jarrett’s Flying Pt 1 (ECM
+ USB high-res recording an integrated lightweight shell; Sony doesn’t specify original pressing), again we enjoyed a wide and deep
+ Phono stage built in a stylus replacement, but the common recommen- stereo image, JdJ’s ride cymbal out in front, china boy
‫) ە‬0 ' *+ - /$*) dation seems to be the affordable ATN3600L. tapping far to the right — this could pass without query as
Type: belt-drive, manual, USB the performance of a far more expensive turntable.
Platter: aluminium This is also a well-built deck for the money —
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+( the plinth is solid, the speed control a stylish dial, Sony seems to share a parts supplier with others, but
Outputs:
$) Ҋ' 1 'Ѷ +#*)*Ѷ the mat a substantial one of thick rubber. Set-up careful upgrading here results in a higher level both of
Dimensions (whd): was simple, the most fiddly part being the deeply experience and performance, along with the advantage of
утп 3 рпу 3 тхх(( indented socketry under the back of the turntable. USB recording at resolutions which should ensure that
Weightѷ фѵу&" nothing is missed. Sony again proves its vinyl chops.
Contact: Sony Australia We began listening to the phono-level output
Telephone: ртпп ртцххш through a high-quality phono stage, and fished
Web: www.sony.com.au out a pristine 2009 copy of Genesis’s ‘Foxtrot’.
Horizons was a delight, the acoustic guitar tones on
this pristine and quiet piece of vinyl delivered with
almost master-tape clarity over a silent background.
If the highs lacked something, with little in the way
of expansive airiness, here things were still clean
and uncurtailed, just lacking some the presence
on vocals, the fizziness on synths that a higher
level of player can achieve (and, perhaps, that we
have become used to through digital replay). The

30



vinyl

Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject Juke Box E

Pro-Ject loads P ro-Ject Audio is a company which makes More sockets
Bluetooth and not only turntables but standalone phono than most
amplification into stages, DACs, amplifiers, even speakers.
this entry-level So presumably someone piped up at a Given the amplification and the built-in phono stage, the
turntable for a development meeting with the suggestion ‘Why rear panel of the Juke Box E is significantly busier than the
just-add-speakers not put them all together?’ norm. There are separate outputs for phono-level and
solution. line-level outputs, with an earthing post, so you can plug
The result is the company’s Juke Box series, the turntable into a separate amplifier with or without
PRICES & SPECS with this Juke Box E being a turntable which has, a dedicated turntable input. But there’s also an external
hidden within and under its plinth, a built-in input, so if you do use the turntable as your amplifier, you
Pro-Ject Juke Box E phono stage, a Bluetooth receiver, a line pre- can at least plug in one other source. Then there are the
amplifier and a power amplifier, requiring only a left and right speaker terminals, and an antenna socket
Price: $899 pair of speakers to make a complete system. Indeed for the internal Bluetooth receiver.
+ Turntable, phono stage, for $1260 you can buy it as the Juke Box Hi-Fi Set,
with a pair of Pro-Ject’s Speaker Box 5 standmount We had imagined that shoving everything into one
Bluetooth streamer and speakers included. But you could add any speakers box might compromise the purity of performance, even
(+'$‫ ޔ‬- $) *) Ѻ of choice, subject, of course, to the Pro-Ject offering at the relative entry level of turntable tech here. But
+ Good performance all round enough power to drive them effectively — with a remarkably the whole thing holds together as a unit
Ҍ
$($/ (+'$‫ ޔ‬- +*2 - quoted 25W per channel, the Juke Box E didn’t very well. The turntable performance is, unsurprisingly,
Type: belt-drive, manual prove the most powerful system we’ve ever heard, on a par with the Primary deck from which it takes its
Platter: тпп(( +'42** Ѷ ! '/ ( / so it’s worth considering higher speaker sensitivities. cues. We played Brian Eno’s ‘Another Green World’
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+( and immediately enjoyed the Pro-Ject sonic signature
Inputs: line in, Bluetooth The turntable section is not dissimilar to the of easy-going fidelity — the Juke Box E establishes a
Outputs: Line-level, phono, speakers Primary model reviewed earlier in this round-up. decently spacious soundstage and positions instruments
Dimensions (whd): Again the straight 8.6-inch aluminium tonearm (or, often in the case of Eno, noises) upon it securely
усп 3 ррс 3 ттп(( (with sapphire bearings) is pre-fitted with an in their own space even as they integrate and interact
Weightѷ уѵп&" Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, and comes with the together. Its balance is on the warmish side of neutral,
Contact: Interdyn anti-skating adjustments all ready and done, so that but with reasonable shine and brilliance at the top end
Telephone: пт шусх тхфп set-up is just as easy — except that you have a few to bring enough detail that vinyl will show its strengths
Web: 222ѵ+-*% / 0 $*ѵ *(ѵ 0 more things to plug up (see panel)! again your streaming Bluetooth device!

That knob at the front is a turn/push dial for If you’re building a fuller hi-fi system, perhaps look
input selection (turntable, line input or Bluetooth), elsewhere. But as an all-in-one solution, this level of
and you also get a little remote control, which functionality is difficult in the extreme to replicate using
is handy although rather odd, its main circle of individual components at this sort of money, and with
controls being used for bass/treble up/down and a competent performance from each part.
loudness button, while input selection and volume
are below. And you do get a Perspex lid included
(it’s not pictured here). Given the ability to receive
Bluetooth, there must also be a DAC within, and
Pro-Ject nicely includes a couple of lengths of
multistrand speaker cable, saving you need to dig
through your attic or head out to buy some.

32

Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500

P art of Yamaha’s return to vinyl (see also And the reason we like this turntable so much is that Yamaha also adds
p44), this is a turntable that does Tidal... the vinyl performance is excellent, without which all the clever extras,
and Spotify… and internet radio and smart extras would be lipstick on a pig. Our colleagues at installing its
high-res network streaming. A turntable Australian Hi-Fi magazine gave it a full benchtest, find- full MusicCast
that has AirPlay and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and ing that speed stability measured extremely well, wow platform to
Ethernet. You can plug it into an amplifier, but you and flutter were low. And from the first LP the Vinyl create a wireless
can equally send its output wirelessly to speakers all 500 was clearly both quiet in operation and musical in streaming multi-
around the home, and have everything under app playback. We occasionally heard distortion at the very room turntable...
control. All this, and yes, it plays vinyl too. edges of the soundfield, and comparing with turntables
up at the $1500 price point there was a distinct flatten- PRICES & SPECS
So, the secret weapon here is Yamaha‘s ing of sound, but it performs competitively at its price
MusicCast streaming and multiroom platform, — and then you get all the MusicCast bonuses on top. Yamaha Vinyl 500
which provides a fully-equipped streaming source Download the app — yes, an app for your turntable! —
hidden within the turntable. For some of these and you can enjoy all the additional streaming sources Price: $999
sources you could even use voice control, since (and potentially share these to other MusicCast speak-
MusicCast is now Alexa-controllable (though it ers), with even AirPlay and Bluetooth playback so you + Excellent turntable with wireless
seems Alexa has not yet developed the skill set can use the Vinyl 500 as a streaming connection to your multiroom streaming built in
required for flipping over LPs). You can connect amplifier. There is one catch — the MusicCast abilities
the ‘turntable’ conventionally to an amplifier, or can only be played from the line-level outputs. If you +
*1 '4 ‫)ޔ‬$.#
it can send the sound over Wi-Fi to a MusicCast use the phono outputs, there’s no smart stuff at all. And – Takes some getting used to
speaker or receiver or amplifier. It can even pair you can’t use both. Yet if you have a good phono stage
with and stream to any Bluetooth speaker. the sound from vinyl will be better that way than using Type: belt-drive, manual
the Yamaha’s Platter: aluminium
Yet impressively it presents not as a muddled OK-but-not- Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+(
tech smorgasbord, but as an immediately eye-pleas- faultless internal Inputs: Ethernet/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
ing turntable, tilting at the high-end with its gloss stage. We ended AirPlay, MusicCast
black finish — not quite the full Yamaha high-end up having to Outputs:
$) Ҋ' 1 'Ѷ +#*)*
piano gloss but nice and shiny nevertheless. Viewed keep reaching Dimensions (whd):
from the front everything is either black or silver or round and уфп 3 ртх 3 тхч ((
(in the case of the Audio-Technica cartridge) white, flicking the rear Weight: 5.7kg
while the front of the platter has four silver selector selector switch Contact: Yamaha Music Australia
buttons with amber lights above each, except for to change out- Telephone: ртпп цтш урр
one with a green LED which comes on during set- puts. Still, it’s a Web: au.yamaha.com
up and stays on if the unit is connected to Wi-Fi. small quirk on
such a big won-
The arm itself is straight and quite short at der of tech.
223.5mm effective length, and (unlike the mildly
controversial GT-5000 high-end turntable on p44)
there is an anti-skating force applied.

33

LOUDSPEAKERS OF THE YEAR $1000-$5000

Chario Constellation MkII Delphinius

THE Constellation MkII Delphinus
SENSITIVE
ITALIAN A SENSITIVE SOUL

M AD E IN ITA LY FOR MODERN LIVING With a sensitivity of 90dB and four-
ohm impedance, the Delphinus
Chario has been handcrafting loud- The latest Delphinus model from requires only half the input power
speakers in Italy since 1975, designed the Constellation MkII range is the of many comparable standmount
and made for music lovers, with each ideal solution for those looking for designs to generate the same sound
Chario cabinet crafted by carpenters a bookshelf speaker with remark- pressure, while its characteristics of
using Italian wood, fitted with drivers able performance, with high levels natural timbre and amplitude reach
designed and made in Italy. Each of acoustic friendliness and modern levels that belie its size. Customized
speaker is the same – yet unique. interior design preferences in mind. Delphinus stands ensure you will
enjoy ultimate performance from this
sensitive Italian, the Constellation MkII
Delphinus.

Trade Proudly distributed in Australia by Audio Dynamics Pty Ltd
enquiries p (03) 9882 0372 m info@audiodynamics.com.au
welcome w www.audiodynamics.com.au

vinyl
Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject X1

W e reviewed this turntable in full machined white acrylic that tips the scales The evolution
two issues back, but it deserves its at 1.5kg and Pro-Ject claims is ‘resonance-free’. of Pro-Ject’s
place in this round-up, showing Atop this sits a high-quality felted slip-mat. first-ever
what Pro-Ject can do as you move turntable, the
up its ranges. Indeed the X1 is a direct descendant Power for the drive motor comes from an external X1 shows how
of the company’s first-ever turntable, the P1, but of 15VDC 0.8A plug-pack style adaptor, but this does not far it’s come in
course, “iimproved in every aspect,” says Pro-Ject’s power the motor directly. Instead, an internal DC/AC offering vinyl
Heinz Lichtenegger, “thanks to modern materials generator board delivers clean, stable voltage. Pro-Ject replay at this level.
and new production methods”. says it adopted this design approach because although
it costs more, it “performs many times better than a SPECS & PRICING
One key to the success of the P1 was its simple, direct-powered AC motor.”
simplicity, and Pro-Ject has maintained that here. Pro-Ject X1
Changing platter speed from 33⅓ to 45rpm is The tonearm has a carbon-fibre/aluminium ‘sandwich’
just a push of a button. (The third speed, the rarer arm-tube with a fixed cartridge mount, with counter- Price: $1349 without cartridge
inclusion of 78rpm, requires you to remove the weight and ‘string-and-weight’ anti-skating. For finishes + Excellent performance
platter and move the rubber drive belt.) So clearly you can currently choose between high-gloss black + VTA & azimuth adjust
the Pro-Ject X1 is a belt-drive design, the drive with eight layers of paint coupled with extensive hand- + Dustcover and cable included
pulley directly attached to the drive motor shaft, polishing, or the pictured walnut veneer, also nice. – Cartridge additional
with the motor itself located below the platter in a Ҍ * ‫ )ޔ‬.+ %0./( )/
recess carved into the otherwise solid multi-layer In most jurisdictions, the X1 comes with a Pro-Ject Type: belt-drive, manual
MDF plinth. The motor is attached to the plinth ‘Pick-it S2’ moving-magnet cartridge pre-installed; here Platter: acrylic
via two ‘engine-mount’-style vibration absorbers, in Australia, we get to choose our own. Our suggestion Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬ҝуф җ ' /-*)$ ҘѶ цч-+(
while a rubber belt fixed at four places on the motor would be Ortofon’s 2M Red — not an expensive Output: phono
prevents axial movement. The belt drives a ribbed cartridge, but it tracks extremely well, delivers excellent Dimensions (whd):
PFT sub-platter that rotates on a stainless-steel/ low-frequency performance, and has outstanding урф ۖ рсф ۖ ттф((
brass bearing, atop which sits, in turn, the main midrange along with very smooth and extended delivery Weight: ц&"
platter, which is a single-piece slab of precision- of high frequencies, plus outstanding stereo imaging. Contact: Interdyn
Telephone: пт шусх тхфп
We thought it an excellent match, Pro-Ject’s new Web: www.projectaudio.com.au
tonearm allowed it to extract musically satisfying

performances. On a simply practical level,
we were more than satisfied with the ease
of use — the electronic speed change, the
rapid start-up time, and the cueing lever
accurately dropping the stylus directly
down onto the LP at your chosen spot.

The Pro-Ject X1 has stiff competition
in this price bracket — including other
Pro-Ject models which offer a built-in
phono stage, USB for computer recording,
and 2M Red cartridge included. But if
you’re after a high-performance turntable
with a small footprint, the Pro-Ject X1
should see off all contenders.

35

vinyl

Technics

STeL-c1h5n0i0cCs A s we’ve seen in our reviews audiophile rather than DJ listeners. The core-less
this year, Panasonic’s revival motor claims to eliminate cogging (see panel),
of the Technics brand is now while being coupled with sophisticated speed
moving beyond turntables to management circuitry which was adapted from
include headphones and streaming Wi-Fi techniques first developed for parent company
speakers. But there is little doubt that the Panasonic’s Blu-ray players to help with stability
decision to reboot the brand came from and accuracy. Any remaining micro-variations in
speed are further smoothed by the inertial mass of
the widespread revival of vinyl, and in the two-layer platter of die-cast aluminium with
deadening rubber on the entire back surface to
Technics died, particular the success of a number of turntables from eliminate unwanted resonance. The motor can run
but has been other brands which were using expired or licensed at 33⅓, 45 or 78rpm.
patents to deliver something often closely comparable
The plinth also uses a two-layer construction,
reborn, now to the SL-1200 DJ deck, for which Panasonic/Technics being aluminium with an ABS/glass-fibre mix,
hitting its stride had suspended production in 2010. In 2016, they and the buttonry is classic Technics, with that big
started up again, along with variants and more hi-fi silver square start-up button. There are two finish
options: silver and black
with impressive versions, and with the latest releases there are now signs
hi-fi turntables that the brand is truly hitting its stride again. The 230mm tonearm is another Technics tra-
dition, the static-balance universal S-shape design
as well as its Equipment using a high-precision bearing of the same gimbal
suspension construction and machined housing
classic DJ fare. This SL-1500C is a less elaborate mini-me of the as the SL-1200 Series.
high-end SL-1000R model, still weighty though less
A pleasing feature is the inclusion of a built-in
extremely massive (weighing 10kg rather than the phono stage, so the SL-1500C can plug into any
amp, whether or not it has a dedicated vinyl input.
1000R’s 40kg+), and more conventionally sized, but

still using the core-less direct-drive motor technology

with which Technics claims since its return to have

further advanced the performance of direct drive for

SUMMARY

Technics SL-1500C

Price: $1999

+ Solid and clear musical sound
+ Excellent bass
+ Electronic speed control
+ Good built-in phono stage
– No stylus gauge included

36

vinyl
Technics

“It was a pleasant surprise to
discover the built-in phono stage

to be an excellent circuit...”

Performance presentation defines leading and trailing edges It was a pleasant surprise to discover the
of notes so that music has stability and focus, built-in phono stage to be an excellent circuit.
Set-up was pretty easy. Once the SL-1500C its presentation composed and organised, the Invariably we hear the best of a turntable by
plinth was out of the packaging it required cartridge able to track multiple instrumental plugging it through our reference Musical
just fitting the platter and attaching the strands with considerable accuracy. Fidelity phono stage, and while we appreciate
headshell, which is already pre-fitted with the convenience of built-in phono stages,
the well-respected Ortofon 2M Red cartridge Playing Nitin Sawhney’s 2001 ‘Prophesy’ most are inevitably built to a price. But here
(somewhere under $200 if bought separately). LP, the Technics system revelled in the the Technics’ own stage equalled our own.
Roll the vast counterweight forward and set the album’s complex rhythms and thickly layered We note it is shielded to prevent interference
tracking weight (1.8-2.0g) and bias to match. production. There was plenty of solid punch, to the delicate phono signals by noise from
particularly at bass frequencies where the the motor or elsewhere.
For connections you have the choice of deck delivers an impressive combination of
phono-level sockets with an earthing pin or agility, punch and depth. Conclusion
line-level sockets using the built-in phono
stage. A small switch at the back switches The cartridge is mostly responsible for The result of all this is a turntable which
between these options. A second small switch the tonal balance, of course, and the Ortofon can hold its own against other decks at this
allows you to switch on or off the very useful does a fine job of keeping things even and level, while also having the convenience of
semi-automatic operation where an auto-lift convincing. The 2M Red is a well-proven that built-in phono stage and also that semi-
mechanism takes the stylus off the record once quantity that we’ve heard perform well on automatic operation, auto-lifting the arm at
the end of the side has been reached. (It takes many decks over the years. the end of the record, though not swinging
around ten revolutions for this to kick-in, so it back into place (such mechanisms being
don’t worry if it doesn’t happen as soon as the The turntable’s handling of dynamic those accused of adversely affecting sound
stylus tip reaches the run-out groove.) This shifts was also pleasing, delivering crescendos quality). We lose a little in the value equation
auto-lift is a deliberately simple design that with enthusiasm and transient moments like here in Australia, with the SL-1500C a few
doesn’t use motor power, so that there is none cracking woodblocks with real agility. But in hundred dollars over what a translation from
of the electrical or vibrational impact that is quieter moments there was still a light enough UK pricing might suggest; the old tyranny
often claimed for automatic operation, and it touch to convey the nuances of performances. of distance. But it proves the arguments for
will not impede the movement of the tonearm. direct-drive performance in a hi-fi context,
and retains its value from the combination
The deck all built and connected, we hit of performance, good internal phono stage,
the big silver start-up button. The platter does easy upgradability for cartridges and shiny
indeed spin up quickly under direct drive; Technics appeal in a beautifully-made,
no belt to squeak here! The SL-1500C imme- fuss–free record player that sounds great.
diately delivered an impressively clear and
musical sound at its price. Its clean and precise

Champion of Direct Drive SPECS $1999

Technics was long one of the greatest Technics SL-1500C
adherents of Direct Drive technology, as
opposed to the belt drive more common in Type: direct drive, semi-automatic
hi-fi turntables. Direct drive has clear Platter: aluminium/rubber
advantages for DJ use — it comes up to speed Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уфѶ цч-+(
faster, it is far easier to vary that pitch for beat Outputs:
$) Ҋ' 1 'Ѷ +#*)* ' 1 '
matching, there’s no belt that needs replacing. Dimensions (whd): уфт 3 рхш 3 тцс ((
The common criticism of direct drive for critical Weight: 9.9kg
audio use is cogging, the microvariations in Contact: Panasonic Australia
speed that can occur as the platter ‘steps’ Telephone: ртс хпп
between the poles of the motor, getting a boost Web: www.technics.com/au
of energy at each pole, and slowing slightly
in-between. So an eight-pole motor would have
eight little ‘bumps’ of speed variation during each rotation.

But since its revival Technics has been using a newly developed core-less direct-drive motor
with no iron core, claiming to eliminate cogging, with any remaining microvariations further
smoothed by the inertial mass of the two-layer platter of die-cast aluminium with deadening
rubber on the entire back surface to eliminate unwanted resonance, and the overall speed kept
in check by sophisticated speed management circuitry.

37

vinyl

Mo-Fi Electronics

Mo-Fi
EStleucdtirooDneiccks+

From the company B ack when music came on shellac, it was de share the same arm, bearing and 300rpm isolated
that brought you rigeur for record labels also to produce record AC synchronous motor, the main differences on
Mo-Fi audiophile players. RCA Victor begat the Victor Talking the Ultradeck being a more sophisticated plinth
vinyl comes the Machine Company, the Columbia Phonograph with additional layers, silver rather than copper
Mo-Fi Electronics Company (software) begat the Columbia Graphophone wiring in the tonearm, and a far heavier thicker
StudioDeck+ Company (hardware), and so on. In more recent times platter — nearly doubling up the StudioDeck’s
package. It proves the trend has gone the other way, with hi-fi companies 1.76kg to just over 3kg. Both of these platters are
a fine performer. starting their own record labels, sometimes as ‘vanity’ made of Delrin, a DuPont polymer resin which
projects, or simply to have a chance to control music combines high strength and stiffness with low-
SUMMARY through the whole chain from creation to reproduction. friction and high-wear resistance.

Mo-Fi StudioDeck+ So the announcement a few years back by highly The model under review is specifically the
respected audiophile recording label Mobile Fidelity StudioDeck+, the ‘+’ indicating the inclusion of
Price: $2868 inc.Super Heavyweight Sound Labs that it would be creating a Mo-Fi Electronics the StudioTracker cartridge, plus here the addi-
range of turntables, cartridges and phono stages (with tion of Mo-Fi’s Super HeavyWeight record weight
+ Exceptional clarity DAC and amplifiers in development) was not entirely to go on top. You can save $369 by running the
+ Low surface noise unprecedented. But it is nevertheless an intriguing StudioDeck+ without the record weight — but the
+ Attractive deck proposition. Mo-Fi’s software output is impeccably claims for its merits are significant (see panel).
‫ ( ۔‬-& ' ' (+ - Ȃ / curated — its GAIN mastering techologies and Ultradisc
– No built-in phono stage one-step pressing deliver the unsurpassed ultimate in The StudioDeck itself is an attractive deck,
– Dark lid presents a quandary vinyl quality. So has the company applied the same designed in collaboration with two industry nota-
diligence to its hardware development? bles: primarily Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove turn-
tables and lmmedia (a US distributorship), but also
Equipment Michael Latvis, a vibration isolation expert who
develops systems for “audio, commercial aircraft,
This is the lesser of the two decks from Mo-Fi military aircraft, and missile defense systems” —
Electronics, which currently offers the UltraDeck and the Levin contributed the decks’ special anti-vibration
StudioDeck, each with a few variations available. They feet, as well as that Super HeavyWeight clamp.

38

vinyl

Mo-Fi Electronics

“Many may dispense with the dust cover when
visitors come a-calling. The unprotected
Studiodeck+ looks too good to hide..”

The tonearm is a 10-inch straight aluminium Then a set of pulsing flutes burst onto the protection and improved fidelity by way of
design with a gimbal bearing (quite the history, sound stage at great level and absolute reality, reduced acoustic transmission? Of course,
gimbal bearings — they stabilised ink pots joined shortly by the New York City Opera but then all you can see is a black Perspex box
in Byzantium, incense bowls in Han-dynasty Chorus presented with a clarity and depth with a glowing amber square shining from
China, compasses in 15th-century navigation, as to be entirely hypnotic. It was a fine first within at the front right corner. Or do you say
and today everything from camera rigs to sat- burst to introduce the deck’s characteristics — to hell with that, I want to see the orange
ellites, as well as tonearms), while the cartridge of extremely low surface noise (given a clean belt going around! We suspect that not only
supplied was, as noted, Mo-Fi’s StudioTracker, disc) and tight timing. will the latter camp outnumber the former,
a 6.4g polymer-shelled design with an ellipti- but that many may dispense with the dust
cal-profile stylus and its twin magnets aligned The trick was repeated with ‘Band on the cover altogether when visitors come a-calling.
in parallel with the stereo record grooves, Run’ (the excellent 1997 ‘EMI 100’ pressing), The StudioDeck looks just too good to hide.
to achieve the best possible channel separa- its opening a tonal delight of zinging treble Even we chose to leave the lid up, otherwise
tion. Mo-Fi’s turntables are manufactured and edgy guitars, the twinned vocals perfectly its surface silence and impeccable tone had us
in the United States, the cartridges are built formed and centred in their central spot with actually forgetting we were listening to vinyl
in Japan, and should a future upgrade arise, a recorded acoustic presenting them at a little until the big bump at the end of the record.
the StudioDeck can accommodate either of distance, rather than poking forward in the And where’s the fun in that?
Mo-Fi’s higher-level cartridges just as easily. mix — a highly accurate delivery from the
outermost extremity of the arm’s motion. A One question we couldn’t answer, as our
Performance minute later in the Band on the Run chorus, usual micrometer was in a locked-down
the extravagantly wide reverb could be heard office, was whether the spindle is unusually
Set-up was pleasingly straightforward, the falling away for a full second even over the narrow; many LPs were a little loose around it.
cartridge already in place, requiring only massed jangle beneath. This open ceiling for
the anti-skate weight to be hooked into sound is a remarkable trait, a clarity beyond Conclusion
place (bring your best glasses) and the main the smoothed-off tone of many turntables at
counterweight to be rolled up the arm until or below this price; the resulting liveliness is The StudioDeck’s qualities are a testament to
weightlessness is achieved, and then a little delightful. Bass handling was declared by the both the track record of Mo-Fi in pursuing
more until the stylus force gauge registers the size and solidity of McCartney’s bass on Mrs the highest levels of vinyl software, and
required grammage, here 2g. To do this you’ll Vanderbilt and its nuances on Bluebird (under those engineers it has enlisted to create this
need a stylus gauge, which Mo-Fi assumes tinkling bells and clacking blocks), while expanding range of hardware. How must
you will own, as none is included with the Howie Casey’s saxophone on both tracks was the higher-level Mo-Fi deck and cartridges
turntable; we used one that came with a blissfully brassy in all the right places. perform, we wonder, and how would this
(cheaper) Thorens turntable, as well as its one sound through the Mo-Fi phono stages
alignment protractor to confirm the accurate This revealing nature was less kind to poor designed by revered bearded British audio
mounting of the cartridge. and dirty vinyl, but that’s true of all good hi-fi; legend Tim De Paravicini? Our earbuds have
we’d recommend a vinyl cleaning system as a been thoroughly moistened by this first taste.
Assembly completed we loaded side six secondary purchase with any turntable. This turntable is pretty enough to be spot-lit
of Satyagraha by Philip Glass for a gentle for display, while itself spotlighting all the
opener. We dropped the needle before we The darkened-glass dust cover presents a music placed on its platter, a tight tracker of
had switched our amplifier over to the phono quandary for the proud new Mo-Fi owner, as the information in the groove, unusually open
stage, so we rushed to do so — but were met we realised after finally disconnecting from in its top-end delivery, with bass that is terrific
with silence. We turned it up, and up again, the sound to look at the platter a-spinning. and taut in its support.
finally hearing some low vinyl surface noise. Do you drop the dust cover for best vinyl
SPECS
Super Heavyweight upgrade
Mo-Fi Electronics StudioDeck+
The Super HeavyWeight Noise Dissipation Record
Weight, to use its full name, claims abilities StudioDeck+: $2499
beyond simply better coupling the record to the StudioDeck+ wIth Super Heavyweight: $2868
platter: “drains groove noise away from your Type: belt-drive, fully manual
stylus, audibly improving clarity and impact... Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф
eliminates resonance, elevates resolution, and Outputs: phono level
enhances stability... greater dynamics, firmer Dimensions (whd): фпп 3 ртц 3 тхс((
instrumental foundations, and better definition.” Weight: чѵц&"
While it’s a lovely thing and certainly adds mass
to the system, we can’t claim to have noted its Contact: 4) -"4 0 $*Ҋ $.0 '
reported powers when comparing playback with Telephone: пт шуфш цуцу
and without — including digitally recording these Web: 222ѵ.4) -"4 0 $*ѵ *(
to make instantly switchable A-B comparisons.

39

CELEBRATING
THE YEAR’S

BEST PRODUCTS

GLOBAL AWARDS 2020-21
visit www.eisa.eu for the winners

EISA is the unique collaboration of 62 member magazines and websites from 29 countries,
specialising in all aspects of consumer electronics from mobile devices, home theatre display and
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TESTED BY THE EXPERTS Q WWW.EISA.EU

vinyl
McIntosh

McIntosh MT2

M cIntosh is better known for its Lastly the cartridge is, as for all three McIntosh turn- From Binghamton,
amplification than its turntables, tables, a moving-coil type. Normally that would require a NY, comes this
yet its current trio of turntables specifically moving-coil phono input on your amplifier, turntable in the
(and one turntable/amplifier) are but both the MT5 and this MT2 come with a Sumiko company colours,
as desirable as everything else in its ranges. They moving-coil cartridge that has a high enough output (up and delivering
maintain the characteristic company colours of to 2.5mV) to be compatible with not only moving-coil also the McIntosh
green and teal, indeed the current range-topping phono inputs but also moving-magnet inputs. (If sound — precise,
MT10 has a 5.4kg silicone acrylic platter that spins you need a phono stage, McIntosh’s MP100 Phono and rock-solid.
on a cushion of air, illuminated from below so that Preamplifier is considered a ‘companion product’.) The
the whole platter glows green when in operation. cartridge itself comes pre-installed, and indeed calibrated, SPECS & PRICING
along with preset tracking and anti-skating forces; it is a
It would be a bit rude to describe McIntosh’s Sumiko Blue Point No.2, no less, which plays a huge role, McIntosh MT2
MT2 turntable reviewed here as entry-level, so let’s of course, in the system’s sound quality. It uses an alloy
call it relatively affordable, which still moving our cantilever and an elliptical diamond stylus. McIntosh’s Price: $9495
turntable group up to a new level. The platter here Australian distributor Synergy Audio handily also distrib- + Solid and detailed sound
isn’t illuminated, it’s black, but two layers of acrylic utes Sumiko, and a replacement Blue Point No. 2 will + Electronic speed change
plates top the plinth base of black-lacquer finished currently set you back $849. There is a dust cover, though + Green light!
MDF, and these do incorporate “custom-designed this covers only the platter, so it stays off during use. – Platter-style dust cover
fibre-optic light diffusers and extra-long-life light- Type: belt-drive, manual
emitting diodes” to shine through with that pleasing We enjoyed the MT2 through a stream of visiting Platter: polyoxymethylene
shade of green whenever the platter rotates. amplifiers: a Peachtree nova300, NAD’s C 368, and Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+( җ ' /-*)$ Ҙ
Yamaha’s A-S3000, as well as our reference Musical Outputs: High-level moving-coil
Besides, there’s more to McIntosh than illumi- Fidelity pre-powers. The Yamaha amp offered the chance Dimensions (whd):
nation of colour. The company’s primary goal is, of to compare the sound as a high-level input into a moving- 452 x 127 x 432mm
course, the illumination of music. To that end, the coil phono input versus a reasonable low input into a Weight: 13.2kg
company has built to the lower price here with an moving-magnet circuit. There wasn’t much to choose for Contact: Synergy Audio-Visual
inner platter of CNC-precision milled aluminium, most selections, but occasionally with music achieving Telephone: 03 9459 7474
supporting a solid inch-thick black outer platter of heights of level and complexity we did think the moving Web: www.synergyaudio.com
polyoxymethylene, an engineering thermoplastic coil input might be getting overloaded.
characterised by its high strength, hardness and
rigidity. The inner platter rotates with a polished Though all these different phono stages left their
and tempered steel shaft in a sintered bronze mark, the underlying performance of the MT2 was clear
bushing, and is belt-driven by a chassis-decoupled enough. McIntosh uses the word ‘precision’ in its descrip-
DC drive motor with its current coming from an tion of the its deck — we’d add rock-solid. It laid open a
external voltage-stabilised power supply. classic rock mix with a combination of solidity to the bass
elements and precision to the highs in a sound which was
The tonearm has a wand of duralumin, also often too enjoyable to analyse; LPs came and went with
known as dural-aluminium, a long-established very few review notes going down on paper, such was our
hardened alloy of aluminium combined with distraction by the MT2’s presentation. This is a turntable
copper and (usually) manganese and magnesium. which illuminates your music, delivering a high level of
The vertical bearings use precision ceramic surfaces vinyl joy commensurate with its asking price, and only
with damping fluid; the horizontal bearing is a boosted further by the cachet of McIntosh ownership.
gimballed sapphire design.

41

vinyl

Rega

PRleagnaar 10 / Apheta 3

Rega’s top A fter all the large and solid plinths we’ve There’s more if you want it...
production seen in the preceding pages, this Rega
turntable is the presents a complete contrast, with its While the Planar 10 is Rega’s top production turntable,
apogee of the minimalist and dramatically-styled it was inspired by the ultimate Rega turntable, the
company’s plinth — more a structure for the main bearing, Naiad (pictured below). This started out as purely an R&D
low-mass tonearm and motor to attach to than anything engineering exercise; a proving ground to show how
philosophy, resembling what we normally think of as a plinth. Rega’s ideas on low mass and high rigidity were the correct
showing there’s approach to turntables. The goal was to create the ultimate
more than one Rega’s philosophy is entirely at odds with the turntable — but just the one engineering sample.
way to deliver thinking that high mass in a turntable will create
superb vinyl rigidity, assist speed stability, lower and spread It took five years to produce this ‘best record player’
sound. resonances. That is not the Rega way. Rigidity yes, that Rega could make. Job done? Not quite.
but not through piling on weight. Mass absorbs
SUMMARY energy, says Rega. Slowly-released energy adds As noted in Rega’s book A Vibration Measuring Machine,
Rega Planar 10 / Apheta 3 coloration, and lost energy equals lost music. Tony McCombie of GT Audio (Rega’s French distributor)

Price: $9799 For Rega it’s all about stiffness and bracing and visited during
+ Revelatory detail lightness. It aims for the lightest possible chassis, one of the listening
+ Extraordinary engineering with the stiffest possible brace. Over the years the sessions. “It’s so good,
+ Separate power supply company’s turntables have increasing implemented I know I could sell five,”
– Nothing this ideal to ever further extremes as new materi- he said. This sowed
als and investment costs have allowed. Its ultimate the seeds for the
expression is a non-production design, the Naiad company to make
(see panel). Both this Rega 10 and the recent Rega a few more units — but it turned out that the minimum
8 take inspiration from the Naiad. And the results order for the carbon-fibre plinths (the most expensive
speak for themselves. single component Rega has ever produced) was 50 units.
Still, with word spreading and advanced orders coming in,
Equipment Rega went ahead, and that’s how the Naiad unintentionally
became an actual turntable — a limited edition, with a
The skeleton itself is a foam core, sandwiched long lead time, each one handmade and assembled by
between two layers of High Pressure Laminate. just three of Rega’s highly skilled craftsmen, including CEO
The foam is an aerospace-developed ultra-light- Phil Freeman. Remarkably, however, Australian distributor
weight polyurethane called Tancast 8, which Synergy has one Rega Naiad in stock, priced at $60,000.
Rega first used in the 2017/8 Planar 6. We noted
then that other Tancast variations are available,
up to Tancast 20 at double the density of Tancast 8,
but as we’ve seen, Rega deliberately eschews density
— if there were a less-dense Tancast 4, we suspect
it would be been snapped up.

42

vinyl
Rega

To achieve rigidity without mass, Rega The RB3000 arm’s basic design looks at the behest of the music, communicating
adds a bracing between its turntables’ main familiar enough, but it has more tightly toler- its message without delivering its own
bearing and tonearm. Here the company has anced bearings as well as a notably classier personal commentary.
refined the process by using two differing finish than its cheaper siblings. It is supplied
braces; the top is made of ceramic while the at this price with Rega’s Apheta 3 cartridge Playing Bob Marley’s ‘Catch A Fire’
lower one is phenolic resin (long a favourite — of course it can be purchased without (or demonstrated the package’s expressive and
material of founder Roy Gandy). Mixing upgraded to Rega’s $5500 Aphelion if you clear midrange, Marley’s unmistakable voice
materials in such a way is claimed to improve like), but the synergy is considered useful, coming through with clarity and passion on
resonance control. and therefore recommended. This is the Concrete Jungle, while the instrumentation
Apheta’s third generation, a moving-coil was instinctively insistent. Bass was agile
When it comes to the platter, Rega admits cartridge with a single-piece aluminium- while solidly underpinning the full-bodied
that here at least there is the need to exploit anodised body. Set your phono stage to 100 yet balanced sound. It’s not what people call
the speed stability conferred by mass. The ohms resistance and 1000pF capacitance. a warm and rich vinyl sound; it’s honest,
platter for the Planar 10 is a custom ceramic revealing the texture of instruments, the
material, with most of its mass concentrated Performance dynamic nuances, all within an expansive and
on the outside edge to maximise the flywheel convincingly layered soundstage.
effect; the platter’s increased inertia helps With this level of turntable, you might expect
with speed stability. The company’s engineers sonic fireworks the moment you drop the The Planar 10 doesn’t back away from
particularly like the hardness of the material, needle. But the Planar 10/Apheta 3 has a the big stuff either, managing the rare feat
feeling it gives a better performance than the more measured approach to music replay. of being able to surprise with the force of a
traditional metal, glass or acrylic alternatives. It resolves a great deal of detail but never seismic crescendo while still exerting enviable
comes across as overly analytical. It handles control over individual elements, and without
The Planar 10’s main-bearing design is a complex rhythms in a wonderfully surefooted smearing the sense of timing.
single-piece machined aluminium sub-platter way, rendering each beat with precision
with hardened tool-steel spindle running while managing to deliver the whole with If you’re auditioning this turntable, give it
inside a custom brass housing of remarkable considerable drive and punch. All the a good run, because it takes time to appreciate
tolerance and accuracy. The 24C AC motor is the Rega’s combination of transparency, detail
driven by an external power supply, each unit available information is presented in a resolution and dynamic expression.
adjusted to work with its partnering motor coherent and wholly musical
optimally, so reducing any vibration gener- way. The Rega works Conclusion
ated. It drives the sub-platter through a pair
of round-sectioned belts on which Rega spent At this price, you might expect something
three years of development achieving their special, and here you get an engineering
required precision and elasticity. statement in which every element exists not
for aesthetics or bling but in service of the
overarching goal — stiffness and bracing and
lightness, in order that Rega’s philosophy
can deliver maximum information from the
groove, maximum music to your home.

SPECS $9799

Rega Planar 10 / Apheta 3

/$Ȃ) .. о - $)" о '$"#/) .. RB3000 arm + Apheta 3 cartridge Type: dual belt-drive, fully manual
The main skeleton of the RP10 is built from an The RB3000 tonearm was new for the RP10, Platter: ceramic
aerospace-developed foam core sandwiched as was the third-gen Apheta MC cartridge with Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф-+(
between High Pressure Laminate. " ҁ. Ҁ $)
$) ҁ $ (*) +-*‫ 'ޔ‬./4'0.ѵ Outputs: Phono level
Dimensions (whd): rather tricky to measure...
Weight: уѵц&"

Contact: Synergy Audio-Visual
Telephone: пт шуфш цуцу
Web: www.synergyaudio.com

43

vinyl

Yamaha

Yamaha GT-5000

Tempted back P latters, on most turntables, are precisely 30cm As with almost all turntables, some assembly is
to turntables by in diameter, the size of an LP. In our picture required, and doing it gives the chance to appreciate
the rise of vinyl, above, the GT-5000’s platter looks a bit small, the insanely high quality of all the component parts.
Yamaha delivers dwarfed by the plinth beneath. But in fact the The first thing to do is fit the 2.025kg subplatter
a statement platter is much larger than normal — 35cm in diameter. over the spindle; it press-fits down over the slightly
product for its Hence the whole turntable is similarly enlarged, the tapered lower section of the spindle so closely that
5000 Series chassis around 55cm wide, 40cm deep, and 24cm high. we’d doubt you could fit a single atom between them,
of analogue-only the first of many insights into the stupendously good
stereo hi-fi. So don’t be fooled by any photographs which machining of the GT-5000.
make the Yamaha GT-5000 look like it’s comparable
SUMMARY with a standard-sized turntable. It’s not. In Yamaha’s Then it’s time to attach the single, short (480mm)
GT Series of yesteryear, GT stood for ‘Gigantic & flat rubber belt around the subplatter and then
Yamaha GT-5000 Tremendous’ — and clearly the concept still applies. around the alloy drive pulley. The drive pulley is
very slightly flexible, suggesting that the motor itself
Price: $12,995 Equipment is isolastically isolated from the chassis.
+ Superb performance
+ Fabulous looks When Yamaha announced first its new 5000 Series of The main silvery-alloy platter is unusual not
+ Balanced output two-channel audio, one choice was fascinating — it simply because it’s so wide and also heavy (4.88kg),
– Physically large would be all-analogue. There is no digital source for but also because of an unusual ‘gutter’ around it, into
– Requires careful cartridge choice the system — in pride of place at the head of the 5000 which the rubber mat’s matching moulded ‘gutter’
Series is the GT-5000 turntable, the final component fits so glove-like that you’re hard-pressed to remove
released in this combination of turntable, separate it. And the platter’s fit around the spindle is so tight
pre-amplifier and power amplifiers, plus the iconic (and gets tighter the longer you use the turntable)
NS-5000 loudspeakers. Together they manage to that Yamaha provides two lifting handles to screw
deliver something which is fresh and modern while into the platter in order that it can be removed!
clearly leveraging Yamaha’s past classics and the
engineering technologies developed over the company’s This combination can be topped (or not, as you
century and a quarter. And in the GT-5000 there are choose) with a final anti-static slip mat.
clear references to the 1982 GT-2000, which had a
strong following, including an enthusiasts’ club active The GT-5000 comes with its own custom, straight
in Japan into the mid-2000s. tonearm already installed. That tonearm is mildly
controversial, with a shorter effective length than
The chassis is finished in high-gloss piano black and, most, and lacking an offset angle, which means that
given that Yamaha is the world’s leading manufacturer its arc across the grooved area is more pronounced
of pianos, it’s mirror-like, with not even the smallest than would be the case if it were longer. Also there
flaw to be seen in its almost mirror-like surface. The is no anti-skating device fitted. Our colleagues at
reflection in the black surface of the massively thick Australian Hi-Fi magazine have discussed this (at
(35mm) silvered platter as it rotates is mesmerising. length, we might say) with a chief engineer at Japan’s
AV Division, and we’ll leave the technicalities aside

44

vinyl
Yamaha

here, since we can point to our listening both the C-5000 pre-amplifier and M-5000 to the test with a couple of favourite albums,
sessions as ‘proof in the pudding’ that their power amplifier feature fully-balanced signal and it absolutely sailed through Emerson Lake
arguments hold water. But one practical result paths using Yamaha’s patented floating and Palmer’s ‘Emerson Lake and Palmer’ and
is that you must use the cartridge alignment balance amplifier method. The symmetrical ‘Tarkus’ albums, both notable for possessing
tool Yamaha supplies with the GT-5000 — ‘folding-book’ design adopted throughout the far more bass energy than most ordinary
you cannot use a conventional Baerwald, amplifiers, with each channel precisely mir- phono cartridges (and tonearms) can handle
Stevenson or Loefgren tool. And this you will rored, was one reason Yamaha chose not to and therefore are very difficult to track.
need to do because Yamaha does not supply include a digital section in the preamp, since Though not as difficult as the cannon-fire
a phono cartridge, so you will have to choose, the symmetry could not have been achieved. in Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ with
install and align one, including adjusting the Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Symphony
height of the tonearm to establish the correct Performance Orchestra on Telarc, which the GT-5000 also
vertical tracking angle (VTA). If you’re new to sailed through with flying colours.
such black vinyl arts, chances are your dealer You can admire the engineering even before
will assist in installation for such a premium listening. Get the platter rotating, then crouch Rumble, signal-to-noise ratio… call
product as this. down and get an eye-line across the periphery it what you will, you don’t want any in a
of the platter. There’s absolutely no vertical turntable and you certainly won’t hear it
You’ll also have to set tracking force, but motion at all… the platter seems stationary. issuing from Yamaha’s GT-5000. This is one
this is via a conventional threaded counter- Try that same check with almost any other silent turntable. We eventually gave up trying
weight. Yamaha actually provides two counter- turntable and you’ll see some degree of up/ to hear any rumble or bearing noise when
weights, which you select according to the down motion as the platter rotates. Not here listening to music and instead resorted to a
mass of your particular chosen cartridge. — and no rotational eccentricity here either, borrowed stethoscope, listening to the plinth
which is equally amazing. in a dead-quiet room. While we could hear
There’s also fine speed control should some noise at the ‘motor’ (left) side of the
Yamaha’s supplied strobe card indicate it’s not The large heavy platter donates speed plinth, we could hear nothing at all at the all-
100% accurate from the factory. That’s the role inertia (or moment) to this rotation; the important (tonearm/right) side of the plinth.
of the small post at the front of the GT-5000; larger the diameter of any wheel (platter),
you hold Yamaha’s supplied strobe light with the greater the ‘flywheel’ effect, and thus Conclusion
one hand while you use the other hand to the greater the stability of rotation. The size
adjust the platter speed — which feels just a bit and weight of platter here do have one slight What a joy to see a company like Yamaha
‘Heath Robinson’ for such a tech marvel. With drawback in use, which is a bit of slippage at returning to such heights of stereo reproduc-
many turntables this is a one-off or rare tweak start-up, after which it took 15 seconds for the tion — and in addition being able to transfer
but here we found ourselves doing it whenever platter to stabilise at speed, and later a full 23 these re-learned vinyl reproduction skills to
we played singles at 45rpm — if we had set the seconds for the platter to come to a complete lower models such as the company’s radical
speed accurately at 33⅓rpm using the strobe, halt when you press stop. MusicCast Vinyl 500 reviewed on page 33.
then switched to 45rpm, the platter was then
running slightly slow, which meant tweaking But stability it certainly delivered. Playing Yamaha’s GT-5000 is such a mind-
the platter speed up a little. If we then switched the Virgin Classic pressing of Eric Satie’s blowingly fantastic turntable that the only
back to 33⅓rpm, the platter ran slightly fast, ‘Gymnopédies’ as performed by Anne way it might be even more desirable to some
which meant another platter speed tweak. The Queffélec (whose tempi are perfect and whose would be if Yamaha offered a version without
larger-scale speed changes between 33⅓ and rubato is glorious), that insanely slow piano a tonearm, since many vinyl audiophiles
45rpm are achieved by pressing the small music immediately revealed zero audible already own a favourite tonearm (such as
button behind the large Start/Stop button at ‘wowing’ (slow speed variations) or ‘fluttering’ ‘The Wand’ from Simon Brown, or a Sorane
the right side of the turntable plinth. (higher speed variations). We also did not ZA-12, or a classic such as an SME Series V).
hear any cogging effects which, of course, is But if you don’t own a favourite tonearm,
Around the rear of the GT-5000 (below) precisely the reason Yamaha elected to use then there’s no excuse! — Yamaha GT-5000
you’ll find something else surprising: not only a belt drive rather than a direct drive for its is not only a wildy desirable physical object,
standard unbalanced RCA outputs (gold-plated GT-5000 in the first place. Indeed the sound it proves its engineering prowess in its rock-
of course) but also a pair of balanced XLR was just so smooth there was a beautiful ease steady delivery, which will delight listeners
outputs (also gold-plated — even the essential and ‘flow’ to all the music we played on the whether chosen as part of the dedicated 5000
ground terminal screw is gold-plated). The GT-5000 which contributed to its ability to Series or, as reviewed here, taking its place at
balanced output plays into the design philoso- transport the listener to a higher plane. the head of a more diverse separates system,
phy of the 5000 Series amplification, where delivering the highest joys of vinyl.
We put that shortish non-anti-skated arm

SPECS $12,995

Yamaha GT-5000

Type: belt drive, manual
Platter: aluminium
Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уф+(
Outputs: +#*)*Ҋ' 1 ' ' ) ҝ0) ' )
Dimensions (whd): фух 3 сср 3 урр((
Weight: схѵф&"
Contact: ( # 0.$ 0./- '$
Telephone: ртпп цтш урр
Web: 0ѵ4 ( # ѵ *(

45

vinyl

SME

SynSerMgEy

High-quality S ome 74 years ago the Scale Model Equipment some of Nagra’s audio components can set you
engineering Company started making precision models back more than the complete Synergy package
delivering and precision engineering components. Then here, that’s quite some inclusion.
musical joy might 50 years ago the company’s founder designed
be expected at a precision tonearm for his turntable — and ever Equipment
this price, but since then this UK Sussex-based company has been
SME also offers a in the turntable business. Indeed its parent company The whole idea of a complete package is to allow
complete package has recently doubled down, buying the rights to the SME to match its high-mass small-footprint
with remarkable Garrard name and releasing a ‘new’ Garrard 301 last turntable design with a built-in phono stage to
ease of use. year, equipped with an SME tonearm. handle a factory-matched moving-coil cartridge
along with premium-grade signal cables through
Last year also saw the release of two related SME the rewired tonearm. That tonearm is a classic,
‘precision’ turntables — the Model 12A, which is pack- and a lovely piece of engineering; the SME IV
aged with the SME 309 tonearm. and the fascinating design has been around for decades, its adjustment
complete package reviewed here, called the Synergy. methods impeccably evolved, but here the arm and
This takes the turntable from the Model 12 but adds a cartridge are already attached and properly aligned,
dedicated arm, which is essentially the highly regarded with tracking weight and bias factory set.
SME IV but internally rewired with leads from Crystal
Cables, along with an Ortofon MC Windfeld Ti cartridge The Ortofon MC Windfeld Ti cartridge seems
and, in a surprise inclusion, a built-in phono stage from a fine choice as well, a moving-coil unit which
Swiss high-end audio company Nagra. Considering that has an RRP around $6599 if bought separately, a
renowned detailed and well-balanced performer.

SUMMARY

SME Synergy

Price: $29,000

+ Complete package design
including Nagra phono stage

‫ ' ۔‬..Ҋ' $)" 0$' ) ‫)ޔ‬$.#
+ Excellent cartridge included
– Only price

46

vinyl
SME

“This complete package allows SME to match
its turntable design with a built-in
phono stage to handle a factory-
matched moving-coil cartridge.”

Its unfussy presentation Symphony, we were immediately impressed out the beats and Cobain’s highly charged
is ideal for those who by the package’s resolution and its ability to vocals with all the passion and energy intact.
want something distinguish between the various instrumental During extended sessions we played every-
that works well strands while still producing a cohesive thing from Bob Marley’s ‘Catch A Fire’ set
across all types presentation. Not only was the expected level and Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born To Run’ all the
of recordings. of control fully present and apparent, the way to Orff’s Carmina Burana, and the SME
Its moving- Synergy maintains its composure regard- Synergy never faltered or failed to please.
coil output less of the complexity of the music played.
is relatively The symphony’s massive dynamic swings Like the Mo-Fi deck in this round-up, the
low at 0.2mV, were rendered with complete confidence, the Synergy comes with a record clamp. This is
but of course turntable never sounding as if it was working a chunky item — lovely to handle thanks to
the Synergy’s to keep up; nor did it short-change when it some impressive machining and its immacu-
phono stage is came to drama and excitement. late chrome finish. While it may appear to be
optimised for this, though its cartridge-loading a bit of a hassle to use the clamp every time
values can be tweaked if you ever change or Stereo imaging was also impressive, with you play a record, it soon becomes second
upgrade to another moving-coil. a large, spacious soundstage populated by nature to screw it on (not too tight, mind!).
precisely located instruments. Sounds were Listening with and without the clamp there’s
Speed can be switched between 33⅓, nicely layered giving a convincing rendition no contest — it delivered greater authority,
45 and 78rpm at the press of a button, and of depth that again survives even complex punch and precision.
despite the hefty platter it takes only a few sec- and demanding music.
onds before it locks at the right speed. There’s Conclusion
a small LED on the motor power supply that The cartridge is, as always, in large part
flashes until the speed has stabilised. responsible for the tonality, and the Ortofon If you’re looking for a relatively fuss-free
MC Windfeld Ti is a neutral and even- high-end turntable package where the
SME provides a strobe disc to check handed device, an agile and precise performer manufacturer has already done all the legwork
absolute speed accuracy, and if you should that’s refined enough to keep aggressive in component matching, the SME Synergy is
find the deck less than accurately set (unlikely) recordings listenable, but also transparent a brilliant high-end offering as a package, and
it’s a simple matter to fine tune the setting enough to allow the better ones to shine. Our one that will surely provide rewarding vinyl
with adjustments of just ±0.01% of the selected 180g copy of ‘Kind Of Blue’ by Miles Davis sessions for years to come.
speed possible. sounded as solid and subtle as it should, the
SME conveying the dynamic ebb and flow of SPECS $29,000
Performance the music superbly, and there’s no shortage
of body or sonic authority when the music SME Synergy
While the Synergy is aimed at those who want demands. We loved the way the SME trans-
maximum performance with minimum fuss, ported us into the recording sessions, Type: belt drive, manual
it still requires a little bit of putting together. delivering the music with all the transparen- Platter: aluminium alloy
And this is a heavy unit, just short of 25kg. cy, verve and sophistication it deserves. This Speeds: тт‫ۄ‬Ѷ уфѶ цч-+(
You have to unscrew the transit bolts holding package sounds authentic and that’s a rare Outputs: +#*)* ' 1 '
the sub-chassis and motor unit, remove some quality in hi-fi, even at these levels. Dimensions (whd): тцп 3 рцч 3 тфп((
packing strips and add the provided syringe’s Weight: суѵф&"
worth of lubricant to the tightly toleranced We’re not sure how highly the likes of Contact: 0- 0.$ -*0+
main bearing. Then with the flat rubber drive Nirvana would feature on a typical SME Telephone: ‫۔‬хр упш фпу чпф
belt and main platter on, you’re ready to go. owners playlist, but it takes all sorts, and we Web: 222ѵ+0- (0.$ "-*0+ѵ *(
gave Smells Like Teen Spirit a spin. It proved
Except there are a few more connections a blast, with the Synergy package pounding
than usual to be made, since the Synergy uses
two power supplies: one to drive the motor
(the side unit on the left shown above) and
a second to feed the Nagra phono stage. The
separate connecting leads are long enough to
allow the supplies themselves to sit well away
from the deck, which reduces the chances of
electrical hum or other interference being
generated, though we did suffer some initial
hum, until a little experimentation with posi-
tioning fixed the issue.

SME’s engineering prowess is confirmed
by the way its products tend to excel in detail
resolution and control, and the Synergy
is no different. Playing Beethoven’s Fifth

47

vinyl

Linn

Linn Klimax LP12

The turntable It is fitting that we finish our turntable product, though rallying — in 2011 he was over in
that launched round-up with a design which, in some Sydney telling us that turntables and accessories were
the ‘source-first’ ways, started it all, and which is only three up over the last two years and now accounted for about
philosophy nearly years off its 50th anniversary. Back then the 10% of Linn’s turnover. And while the ‘source-first’
50 years ago is
still recognisably company’s founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun, leveraged philosophy was by then accepted, the hi-fi industry faced
a Sondek LP12,
despite countless his father’s precision a key question: what exactly
iterative improve-
ments made engineering company to was the source of the future?
since the original.
set Linn in motion with To Linn the future was
SUMMARY
a precision-designed clear, and it was file-based
Linn Klimax LP12
turntable notable for music, not physical discs. Linn
Price: from $32,995
+ Informative and dynamic a new patented point was very early in deciding
‫* ۔‬+ ' 1 ' *! 0$' ) ‫)ޔ‬$.#
‫ * ۔‬0' - 0+"- + /# bearing. And with it, he that the source of the future
‫ ۔‬2) -.#$+ # /
Ҍ 0./ +-$ began the conversion was definitely not the CD. It

of the hi-fi world to the stopped making CD players

crucial concept that the in the same year that Gilad

quality of the source in became MD. The first Linn

an audio system is critical DS network music player had

to the system’s overall already appeared in 2007, the

quality. This ‘source-first’ Klimax DS, its input a digital

philosophy sounds stream over a home network,

smack-yourself-in-the- not a physical disc. Since then

face obvious today, but Linn has developed a range of

was most definitely not modern digital music players,

the mode of thought back some of which have amplifica-

in 1973 (see The Origin tion — all-in-one units of the

Story panel opposite). highest quality.

Linn has, of course, Equipment
reinvented and restruc-

tured itself through the But Linn has never stopped

years. Ivor’s son Gilad making turntables. The

Tiefenbrun took the LP12 today is available in

reins as Linn’s Managing three main versions — the

Director in 2009, by

which time turntables ▲ Linn’s LP12 is entirely modular, so you can select the level of each component part.
were a relatively niche Making the best of all choices creates the Klimax LP12 turntable version reviewed here.

48

vinyl
Linn

“LP12s have always been known for their ability to
convey rhythms well and this range-topper is no

different. It delivers with real punch and precision...”

entry-level The Origin Story As with many things about the 1970s, it’s
Majik LP12, hard to put your head back into that space.
the upgraded It’s hard to believe today, but in the early But in April 1972, Mr Jack Tiefenbrun of
Akurate LP12, and days of hi-fi, there was little recognition Newton Mearns in Renfrewshire, Scotland,
the ultimate Klimax of the ‘garbage in, garbage out’ philosophy. applied for a patent through the Fitzpatrick
version reviewed here. But The signal was the signal, amplifiers just Chartered Patent Agents in Glasgow. It was
the turntable design is also made it bigger, and it was your loudspeakers subsequently granted in May 1975.
fully modular. You can head to that made all the difference between good
a Linn dealer or to Linn’s website sound and bad sound. No matter that the “This invention is concerned with improve-
and build an LP12 to your own unique art of LP reproduction had remained ments in or relating to gramophone record
spec. And remarkably, despite 47 years of substantially unchanged since 1948 when playing apparatus,” the application began.
production, you can still upgrade any older Peter Goldmark, head of research at “According to the present invention there
LP12 to the latest spec, piece by piece. All the CBS-Columbia in the US, had delivered a is provided a gramophone record playing
key improvements are retrofittable, so an early lightweight tone-arm and sapphire needle apparatus including a turntable platter, a
deck can easily be brought up to current standards. to play his new 12-inch 33‫ۄ‬rpm vinylite spindle assembly comprising a spindle, on
So in this case the basic deck (no arm or LP with microgrooves (the 45rpm 7-incher which the turntable platter is mounted, a sleeve
cartridge, given the classic Sondek moniker) is arrived the following year from RCA Victor). provided with bearing whereby the spindle is
available in five standard plinth finishes: oak, No matter that the record player was clearly rotatably mounted in the sleeve, and a plate
cherry, black ash, rosenut or walnut. Add the better a far more complicated piece of technology in said sleeve, the spindle being formed with a
of two aluminium baseboards, the best of the three than a big box of wood with some cones in it. bearing portion which has point contact with
available sub-chassis, the top Ekos SE tonearm in No, it was loudspeakers that remained the said plate to support said spindle, and the point
machined titanium, and the high-performance unchallenged kings of high fidelity. contact being capable of being substantially
moving-coil Kandid cartridge. From the three maintained during operation of the apparatus
available levels of power supply comes the Turntables certainly evolved, if gradually. by virtue of the material and finishes employed
premium Radikal, a separate unit which provides The 1950s saw belt drives arriving alongside with respect to the spindle and said plate.”
electronic speed change (add $5k to have this in an the old rubber-wheel idler drives, though
aluminium Klimax enclosure). The Radikal also it took 20 years for idlers to fully fall out of From this application, two things are clear.
powers the Urika, the top analogue phono stage, favour. The 1960s saw Technics introducing Firstly, the success of such a point-contact
which nestles underneath the plinth. (Linn also direct drive. And of course there were bearing rested crucially on access to a high
makes an Urika II, which digitises the signal and turntables which were considered good, level of engineering. The material and finishes
implements the RIAA curve in the digital domain: and others not-so-good. But still, when you of the bearing were crucial to the contact
controversial in the analogue world, but then Linn were putting together an audio system, you being maintained, and thereby to the useful
has never shied away from controversy when it weighted your expenditure towards the long-term operation of such a design. In this,
feels the music can be better served!) loudspeakers, often getting the best possible Jack Tiefenbrun was uniquely placed. He
value by building your own speaker cabinets had come from a background in textiles into
Performance from a kit, especially in Australia where machine tool design, founding his company
finished goods faced high import tariffs.
Clearly there is a significant price for picking all
the top available elements. But thoughts of the
price start to fade once you see how every part of
the Klimax LP12 has the aura of carefully-honed
engineering, coupled with fit and finish of the
highest level. And once everything has had a
chance to settle, the Klimax LP12 package is a
fabulous performer. Early LP12s had a bit of a
bloom at lower frequencies that gave them a rich,
fluid and highly musical character. Over the years

49

vinyl

aLiundnio-technica

▲ Linn’s logo to this day Linn’s developments have steadily moved the
carries a reminder of the deck into becoming a more neutral performer.
point bearing identified Detail resolution, agility and transparency have
in Jack Tiefenbrun’s improved notably with each new step. (Some
original patent. trad Linn fans prefer the way things used to be,
but they’re probably the same people that go to
Textiles Engineering in 1951, and gaining as and his father’s quiet-running central bearing concerts and shout out for the old songs.)
a key early client the successful Glasgow- design (and a group of skilled colleagues),
based Singer Sewing Machine company. a precision-engineered record player was The modern Klimax LP12 is a wonderfully
Expanding to new premises in a snooker launched in 1973 as the Sondek LP12, under a musical deck. There’s just so much detail; every
hall in Glasgow’s famous Gorbals district, new company name — Linn. Castle Precision instrumental strand is brushed up for inspection,
he engineered jigs, tools, fixtures and press Engineering ground the drive belts, produced yet it all still comes together as a cohesive and
tools, expanding his customer base and in the the soon-to-be-patented bearings, stamped engaging whole.
1960s moving into purpose-built premises and pressed the top plates and completed
in Castlemilk, from which the company took final assembly of the first LP12. (And the And it’s great fun too. LP12s have always
its new name, Castle Precision Engineering. Linn company logo, largely unchanged over been known for their ability to convey rhythms
By 1970 Castle was investing in some of the the following 44 years, represents that point well and this range-topper is no different. It
very first high-precision CNC machinery, and bearing defined in Ivor’s father’s patent.) delivers with real punch and precision while
was gaining clients in aerospace industries, losing nothing in composure as music builds to
including Rolls-Royce. It was through that There is a side history, which says that a climax.
level of engineering prowess that the ideas Ariston, another turntable manufacturer, was
behind the new turntable were realised. also using Castle for precision elements of its We played Nick Cave and the Bad Seed’s The
turntables prior to the LP12. Whether or how Boatman’s Call and the Linn rendered Cave’s
The patent application also makes clear much this fed into the LP12 is now difficult to vocals with texture and nuance, while the deck’s
that the goal was for higher fidelity. ascertain; Ariston is, in any case, long gone, terrific way with low-level dynamics shone
while Linn’s legacy speaks for itself. throughout. It’s a little more forward in presenta-
“The advantage of the above described tion than some warmer-sounding contenders
turntable spindle assembly,” says the As for the change in hi-fi sensibilities on at this lofty price, but it has more precision and
application (eventually), “is that it reduces the importance of the source in delivering agility. It was right at home with Beethoven’s
the level of noise and vibration encountered higher fidelity, it did not occur overnight Fifth, delivering a sound of huge scale and power,
in conventional turntable assemblies and in a massed awakening alongside the punching out the music’s demanding crescendos
this reduction is highly advantageous in 1973 release of the Sondek LP12. The with passion, yet still achieving fluid dynamics
high fidelity apparatus.” thought-shifting was more a triumph of Ivor and low-level subtleties that turn the listening
Tiefenbrun’s tireless demonstrations of the experience into a real thrill.
The patent may have been in Jack difference between good sources and bad,
Tiefenbrun’s name, but the legend belongs to with his proselytisation of the ‘source first’ The soundstaging is good too. The upfront
his son, Ivor. Linn’s official company history concept, eventually persuading dealers and presentation reduces the emphasis on image
tells that it was Ivor, unsatisfied with the hi-fi users and, yes, even hi-fi journalists that depth, but the Linn still delivers a huge, well-
performance of an audio system he had speakers were not the dominant arbiter of proportioned soundstage with precision and
purchased shortly after getting married, hi-fi performance. In this Linn was assisted skill. The upside of such a sound is a sense of
who started to experiment with his turntable. in the early years by Naim Audio, which immediacy and agility that most rivals would
He moved it out of the room, and ran cables had a similar interest in promoting the role struggle to better.
under the door, and became convinced that of amplification, and a similarly tireless
by removing the effect of sound pressure promoter in Julian Vereker. Conclusion
from the speakers, it sounded much better.
Could a turntable be designed that would It seems so clear today that ‘garbage in Clearly the range-topping LP12 is an expensive
operate in the room yet be relatively immune equals garbage out’ that it’s hard to imagine turntable, and of course Linn has deliberately
to the effect of the acoustic feedback from a time when this wasn’t common knowledge. maintained its appearance, so that it looks little
the loudspeakers? For our enlightenment, more than anyone different from decks made decades ago. This
else or any other company, we can thank Ivor rather disguises the fact that in most respects it’s
The answer, clearly, was yes. With the Tiefenbrun, and Linn. startlingly better than what has gone before, and
assistance of Castle Precision Engineering right up there with the very best at this price.
The Linn LP12 remains a deck to be taken very
seriously indeed, from a company which has been
called “Scotland’s only leading cool brand”.

SPECS from $32,995

Linn Klimax LP12

Type: belt-drive, fully manual
Platter: two-part Mazak 8 metal alloy
Speeds: 33, 45rpm
Outputs: Phono/line level (phono stage included)
Dimensions (whd): 445 x 140 x 356mm
Weight: 10kg
Contact: Advance Audio Australia
Telephone: 02 9561 0799
Web: www.advanceaudio.com.au

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