Turntable Reviews

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Wilson Benesch Full Circle turntable, ACT 0.5 tonearm, & Ply MC cartridge

Michael Fremer Aug 06, 2006 First Published: Nov 06, 1998 0 comments

"Hello, I'd like to apply for a Federal Grant? For what? Oh, to design and build a new, high-tech, very expensive turntable. What's that? It plays records. Yes, that kind of turntable. Of course they still make records. Why? How much time do you have? Oh, I forgot—you're a federal employee, you have all day! Well, I didn't mean to insult you. It was a joke....No, I'm serious about the turntable. You do? What kind of music? When are they from? RCA Record Club? Classical Music? 1950s and '60s? Yes. I'll give you $5 each. I know it's generous, but... How much money do I want for the grant? Coupla hundred thousand dollars. No, our turntables will never be used to play Marilyn Manson records—Marilyn doesn't do vinyl. It's in the mail? Thank you. I'll come get the LPs tonight."

Turntable Reviews Tonearm Reviews

Spotheim La Luce turntable and SpJ tonearm

Jonathan Scull Aug 06, 2006 First Published: Oct 06, 1998 0 comments

The La Luce turntable's elegant form usually stops audiophiles dead in their tracks. Then comes a long, low "Wow." I'm hardly immune myself. And that's not even considering the sound, which has always been wonderful, as it was in the Joseph Audio/Cardas room at CES '98.

Turntable Reviews

Simon Yorke Designs Series 7 Precision LP Playback System

Michael Fremer Sep 04, 2005 First Published: May 04, 1998 0 comments

"My original goal was simply to design a better turntable than the Linn because at that time in the UK, Ivor">http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/1101ivor">Ivor Tiefenbrun was the man—he was the patron saint and all that. And all the hi-fi mags were full of Linns. He did for turntables, in a way, what Mark Levinson (the man) did for amplifiers."

Turntable Reviews

Immedia RPM2 turntable

Wes Phillips Jun 26, 2005 First Published: Sep 01, 1997 0 comments

Okay, what does a turntable look like? Take your time—I'll wait. Dum de dum de dum dum dum... Oh, you're tired of this game already?

Tonearm Reviews Turntable Reviews

Kuzma Stabi turntable & Stogi tonearm

Guy Lemcoe Dec 14, 2017 First Published: May 01, 1995 0 comments

I first learned of the Kuzma Stogi at the 1993 Winter CES in Las Vegas. In VPI's room at the Sahara, a portly, black tonearm was sitting proudly atop the new VPI TNT Series 3 turntable. Pointing straight at me from the center of its massive, exceptionally stout frame was a tapered armtube the diameter of a swollen thumb. The fact that this unknown (to me) tonearm was chosen to sit atop a turntable as respected as the TNT told me I was looking at a serious new product. VPI's Harry Weisfeld was standing nearby, beaming as usual, to answer the barrage of questions that sprang from my lips as I leaned over for a closer inspection. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How much?

Turntable Reviews Phono Cartridge Reviews

Linn Sondek LP12 turntable & Klyde phono cartridge

Corey Greenberg Jun 01, 2010 First Published: Dec 01, 1993 0 comments

If you asked me to name a single specific high-end audio component that could make or break a system, I'd name the Linn LP12 turntable. Of all the thousands of hi-fi products I've heard over the years, not a one of 'em—not a speaker, amplifier, or digital processor—has been able to draw me into the music, no matter what the associated componentry, like the LP12. I've heard the most highly regarded speakers/amps/processors fall flat in certain situations due to a lack of synergy with their surrounding systems, but I've never heard an LP12-based system that didn't put a smile on my face and make me green with envy.

Turntable Reviews

SOTA Comet turntable

Guy Lemcoe May 11, 2017 First Published: Aug 01, 1993 0 comments

When Tom Norton asked if I'd like to review an entry-level turntable from SOTA, I responded with a resounding "Yes!" I've long felt that there's a conspicuous absence of affordable, good-sounding record players on dealers' shelves. With the AR ES-1 package deals no longer available and the Rega 3 now selling for $775, at $599, SOTA's new Comet promised to be stiff competition for the Basiks, Revolvers, Duals, and Thorenses of the world. Also, due to my tenacious embrace of vinyl, I try to encourage as many music lovers as I can to experience the satisfaction derived from LPs and the fun and excitement of collecting them. If I can point them in the direction of a competent, sanely priced analog rig, I'll consider a good part of my mission accomplished.

Turntable Reviews

Basis Audio Ovation turntable

Dick Olsher May 07, 2006 First Published: Jul 07, 1993 0 comments

As audio enters its second digital decade, it gives me great pleasure to proclaim a great audio truth: to groove is divine, to error-correct ain't so benign.

Turntable Reviews

Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply

John Atkinson Jan 10, 1995 First Published: Jan 10, 1991 0 comments

What did you on your wedding night? I know what I did. All three times. But Casey McKee? He spent his wedding night at the end of October installing the new Lingo power supply on his Linn LP12. I know. I was there.

Turntable Reviews

SOTA Cosmos turntable

Paul Bolin, Thomas J. Norton Jul 26, 2003 First Published: Jul 26, 1990 0 comments

"Which way to the four o'clock tour?" It was already 10 minutes past the hour. I was late, but this was the last tour of the day. It would be a very long wait for the next one.