Joint Analog Components of the Year
Spiral Groove SG1.1 turntable with Centroid tonearm ($31,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, November 2012, Vol.35 No.11)
VPI Industries Traveler turntable and tonearm ($1399; reviewed by Stephen Mejias, November 2012, Vol.35 No.11 Review)
Another tie—this time between two components separated by almost 3000 miles and nearly $30,000. Yow! The flagship Spiral Groove SG1.1 was designed by Allen Perkins in Berkeley, California. The entry-level VPI Traveler was designed by father-son duo Harry and Mat Weisfeld, in Cliffwood, New Jersey. While the former aims to be the last turntable you'll ever want or need, the latter is meant to introduce a wider, younger audience to true high-fidelity sound. With 16 total votes apiece, these two outstanding 'tables distinguished themselves from a worthy bunch of contenders.
Released at the New York Audio & AV Show in April 2012, VPI's Traveler is a tribute to Sheila Weisfeld, matriarch of the Weisfeld family, who passed away in December 2011. Mat Weisfeld came up with the concept and physical design; Harry Weisfeld brought it to life. I had the pleasure of reviewing the Traveler. It uses an AC synchronous motor built directly into a rigid, compact chassis of Delrin and aluminum; a machined aluminum platter damped with a stainless-steel disc; a high-quality bearing assembly capable of driving a 20-lb platter; and a dedicated, 10"-long, spring-loaded tonearm with a double-gimbal bearing for movement in the horizontal and vertical planes. I was bowled over by the sound, which was uncommonly smooth, coherent, and dynamic—to this day, the best I've heard from any turntable at home. I wish everyone could enjoy this level of sound; now, thanks to VPI, more people can.
I've heard Spiral Groove's SG1.1 only at shows and in shops, but I have no doubt that it's worth every cent. In fact, even at $31,000, it seems a bargain. Built to almost impossibly precise specifications and with an intense attention to detail, the 75-lb SG1.1 is a dense, split-plinth design with an onboard AC synchronous motor belt-driving a 22-lb platter of graphite, vinyl, and phenolic. While the SG1.1's clever tonearm-mounting system simplifies the installation of almost any arm, Spiral Groove's complementary Centroid tonearm is designed for optimal system stability. Michael Fremer: "The engineering brilliance, machining excellence, build quality, remarkable compactness, ease of setup and use, and engaging sound make the SG1.1 turntable and Centroid tonearm landmark products."
Runners-up: (in alphabetical order)
AMG Viella 12 turntable with 12J2 tonearm ($16,500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, August 2013, Vol.36 No.8)
Ortofon MC Anna phono cartridge ($8499; reviewed by Michael Fremer, May 2013, Vol.36 No.5)
Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP phono preamplifier ($12,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, December 2012, Vol.35 No.12)
Sutherland Engineering Insight phono preamplifier ($1400; reviewed by Michael Fremer, August 2013, Vol.36 No.8)
TechDAS Air Force One turntable ($79,500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, April 2013, Vol.36 No.4)
Zesto Audio Andros PS1 phono preamplifier ($4300; reviewed by Michael Fremer, March 2013, Vol.36 No.3)
Released at the New York Audio & AV Show in April 2012, VPI's Traveler is a tribute to Sheila Weisfeld, matriarch of the Weisfeld family, who passed away in December 2011. Mat Weisfeld came up with the concept and physical design; Harry Weisfeld brought it to life. I had the pleasure of reviewing the Traveler. It uses an AC synchronous motor built directly into a rigid, compact chassis of Delrin and aluminum; a machined aluminum platter damped with a stainless-steel disc; a high-quality bearing assembly capable of driving a 20-lb platter; and a dedicated, 10"-long, spring-loaded tonearm with a double-gimbal bearing for movement in the horizontal and vertical planes. I was bowled over by the sound, which was uncommonly smooth, coherent, and dynamic—to this day, the best I've heard from any turntable at home. I wish everyone could enjoy this level of sound; now, thanks to VPI, more people can.
I've heard Spiral Groove's SG1.1 only at shows and in shops, but I have no doubt that it's worth every cent. In fact, even at $31,000, it seems a bargain. Built to almost impossibly precise specifications and with an intense attention to detail, the 75-lb SG1.1 is a dense, split-plinth design with an onboard AC synchronous motor belt-driving a 22-lb platter of graphite, vinyl, and phenolic. While the SG1.1's clever tonearm-mounting system simplifies the installation of almost any arm, Spiral Groove's complementary Centroid tonearm is designed for optimal system stability. Michael Fremer: "The engineering brilliance, machining excellence, build quality, remarkable compactness, ease of setup and use, and engaging sound make the SG1.1 turntable and Centroid tonearm landmark products."
Ortofon MC Anna phono cartridge ($8499; reviewed by Michael Fremer, May 2013, Vol.36 No.5)
Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP phono preamplifier ($12,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, December 2012, Vol.35 No.12)
Sutherland Engineering Insight phono preamplifier ($1400; reviewed by Michael Fremer, August 2013, Vol.36 No.8)
TechDAS Air Force One turntable ($79,500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, April 2013, Vol.36 No.4)
Zesto Audio Andros PS1 phono preamplifier ($4300; reviewed by Michael Fremer, March 2013, Vol.36 No.3)
