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Analogue is
alive and thriving even as DVD starts hitting the shelves at stores! Music... the vinyl
frontier. These are the voyages that brings me much joy in my life.
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Oracle
is showing their newly updated MK V version of their turntable. A new record coupling
system via a specially designed center record clamp is claimed to have little to no
resonance. This helps to enhance music reproduction while keeping the vinyl firmly on the
platter. Also new is a better, highly sophisticated dampening system. This new system uses
seven different mechanical filters working in concert to lower floor borne resonances. A
massive 8 lb. platter is employed while a unique bearing which uses six precision surfaced
nylon set-screws. A special low voltage AC German made synchronous motor rotates the
turntable. A special high performance power line conditioner is also available for an
extra fee. Prices of the turntable is $3,100 for the clear acrylic base whereas the
granite base will set cha back $3,400.
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Pink
Triangle had this really cool lookin' turntable. DARN, i have the photo but lost
their literature :-{(+ . If my brain is working correctly is includes the Rega 300
tonearm, is very easy to setup and retails for about $1,100. It looked, like, totally
killer. |
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Wilson
Benesch had their new Full Circle turntable playing some groovy music. This
turntable is a modular design for ease of upgrading, yet is of a simple yet effective
design. Included with this table is Wilson Benesch's a.c.t. 0.5 tonearm and PLY cartridge
(more on this later). Pricing is $3,805. They were
also showing the a.c.t. 0.5 tonearm ($1,495) which uses a curved carbon fiber tonearm,
kinetmatic bearing, and unique counterbalance arrangement. The PLY cartridge is a
derivative of the Matrix cartridge (Wilson Benesch version of the Benz Glider). This
cartridge is only sold as part of the Full Circle package. It uses a nude
elliptic diamond, solid boron cantilever, pure iron coil former, copper coil wires, and a
solid woven carbon fiber body. The cartridge's output is rated at 1.58mv with a frequency
response from 10 Hz - 50 kHz. Recommended tracking force is about 1.9 grams. |
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Clearaudio
has just announced a new, tasty, yummy, ab-so-amazing-lutely new user friendly
turntable/arm/cartridge package. The Evolution Turntable features a synchronous motor
mounted in a massive brass housing. A linear tracking arm which rides on precision
bearings is held on this really cool Plexiglas arm holder thingy that slowly goes down
towards the record. Then you flip this little level to lower the included, yes, included
MM cartridge. An inverted bearing is used for the platter. It's also belt driven and can
play at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. Clearaudio has eschewed any suspension in favor of creative
geometric designs and heavy-duty spiked feet. The output from the cartridge goes to
antimagnetic gold plated RCAs. All i can say is that i drooled, drooled some more, begged
for one. Priced at $2,500 it's a very high quality drop and go solution for those who've
always wanted turntable with a liner tracking arm. |
Thorens
is introducing the MK II version of their TD 295 turntable. This $999 table can play at 33
1/3, 45, and 78 rpm. whereas the older version could only play at the standard two speeds.
This belt driven unit uses a a 24-pole synchronous motor with their 8" TP40 tonearm.
It comes in many lacquered finishes such as while, black, walnut and rosewood. The
anti-skating is achieved by a weight on a string and includes a solid acrylic base on
pedestal made of medium density fiberboard (MDF). Wow and flutter are rated at <0.04%
and the rumble is rated at >70db.
Audio Note was
showing their IQ-1 and IQ-2 cartridges. These are copper wired MM units that use a
removable stylus and a very solid synthetic body with the screw threading on the body of
the cartridge itself. The only difference between the IQ-1 and IQ-2 is the cutting of the
diamond stylus. In other words you can buy an IQ-1 and upgrade it to an IQ-2 when funds
permit simply by getting the IQ-2 stylus! The IQ-1 retails at $200 whereas the IQ-2 costs
$300. Also just told to me was the plans for the IQ-3 which will use silver wire, titanium
cantilever and will also be an MM cartridge like the lower models. Price for the IQ-3,
approximately $400.
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High-Performance Audio Reviews
