Neil Gader has posted a review of the Lehmannaudio Decade phono stage ($2099) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “The last word in phonostages? Not quite. However I am confident that few will find the Decade to be less than excellent when compared with anything else at anywhere near its price. Just like the...
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Richard H. Mak has posted a review of the iFi Audio iPhono phono stage ($399) at TONEAudio. His conclusions: “The iPhono is a fantastic anchor for your first analog setup. Few others can compete with its sonics and there is nothing near it’s price that can compete with its feature set. It also offers...
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Peter Stanton-Ife has posted a review of the Vincent PHO 700 phono stage (£549) at Hi-Fi Pig. His conclusions: “With cheaper cartridges, this unit, although not as clinical or analytical as the Whest, does about 85% of its work and is probably slightly more forgiving of the weaknesses of those cartridges. It might therefore...
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Geoff Husband has posted a review of the Dynavector DV-20×2 moving-coil cartridge ($850) at TNT Audio. “Part of this is down to the Audiomod being a giant-killer*** of Jackobean proportions but it also shows how even, fun and simply competent the DV 20×2 is. More than this is the level at which I’m ‘gilding...
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Robert J. Reina has posted a review of the VPI Nomad turntable ($995) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “In the VPI Nomad, Harry and Mat Weisfeld have designed a superb-sounding, cost-effective record player, and included an excellent headphone amplifier and a superb phono stage, to create an entire vinyl-playback system for the headphone set. And...
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George Engler has posted a review of the Allnic Audio H-1201 phono stage ($3275) at AVHub. His conclusions: “Yes, the Allnic Audio H-1201 is ‘distinctively individual’—and yes, some may even say it’s verging on ‘quirky’—and you’re certainly paying for the fact it’s all made almost entirely by hand, and that each one is individually...
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Clive Meakins has posted a review of the Benedict Audio HotHead JFET MM and MC phono stages (£399) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “The duo of HotHeads are incredibly well judged designs in terms of specification and sound quality, add to this their extremely compelling pricing then it’s clear Benedict Audio have a...
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Roy Gregory has posted a review of the Kuzma Stabi M turntable (£13,995), 4point tonearm (£4995), and CAR-50 phono cartridge (£4495) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “If the mark of a great transducer is to step aside and let the music speak then the CAR-50 certainly qualifies, with the Stabi M and 4POINT helping it...
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Jason Kennedy has posted a review of the Transfiguration Phoenix S phono cartridge (£1995) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “I get it now. I understand why Transfiguration does not need a website. When you make cartridges that are this good, the world will come to your door. The Phoenix S does it all and it...
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Jerry Seigel has posted a review of the PI Prime turntable ($) and JMW 3D tonearm ($) at 10 Audio. His conclusions: “The dynamic presentation, powerful bass and extended, clear treble offer very enjoyable listening sessions with remarkable see-through connection to the music. Notice that I did not write “at this price”. The VPI...
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Art Dudley has posted a review of the Abis TA-1L tonearm ($1999) in his Listening column at Stereophile. His conclusions: “I continue to look forward with pleasure to the return of the bigger-bottomed Abis SA-1, the sound of which fit my Thorens TD 124 hand-in-glove. But in the here and now, the TA-1L is...
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Wayne Garcia has posted a review of the Rega RP10 turntable and Apheta moving-coil cartridge (together, $6495) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “I’m sorry to say that I mostly failed to add much to my sonic vocabulary here. And yet the hope is that I did succeed in conveying how, once again, Rega...
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J Loh has posted a review of the Pro-Ject Elemental turntable ($229) at audiofi.net. His conclusions: “Simply put, the Elemental has set a new benchmark for budget turntables. Pro-Ject has delivered a musically satisfying performance with a budget turntable that anybody can afford. While some may lament the fact they can’t fiddle around with...
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Ed Selley has posted a review of the Avid Ingenium turntable (£1015 with tonearm) at Hi-Fi Choice. His conclusions: “The Ingenium is comparatively light on features and while I am rather fond of its appearance, which results from the triumph of function over form, there are undoubtedly prettier turntables on the market. What the...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the Pro-Ject Xtension 9 turntable (£2200). Their conclusions: “The careful downsizing of the original Xtension design, plus the addition of an updated and improved tonearm results in a turntable combination with few vices. Add in a superb cartridge at a discounted price and the...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the Inspire Hi-Fi Black Magic Si turntable (£560). THeir conclusions: “By keeping things simple and investing in the areas that matter, Inspire has created a vinyl spinner that sounds superb for the money, with a neutral tone that delivers bags of musical detail. Add...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the McIntosh MT5 turntable (£7495). Their conclusions: “Although the MT5 may have been intended as an addition to an existing McIntosh system, it stands up well in out-and-out performance terms. If you can look beyond its ‘bling’ then you may be smitten.” You can...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the Rega RP8 turntable (£1598). Their conclusions: “The RP8 embodies the fullest realisation of Roy Gandy’s ideas yet. It rewards with a sound that has depth, purity and realism that belies its moderate price. Its stylishness is just the icing on the cake.” You...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the VPI Scout 1.1 turntable (£1975). Their conclusions: “The original Scout was something of a game-changer for those wanting a more user-friendly approach to high-end vinyl replay, and this new model promises even greater long-term enjoyment. The improved platter, PSU and superbly engineered tonearm...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the STST Motus II turntable (£4995). Their conclusions: “STST has quite successfully reinterpreted the idea of direct-drive from an audiophile perspective. Used with the Vertex arm, the Motus II gave a sound with tremendous stability and very ‘black’ backgrounds, free of any noticeable colorations...
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Hi-Fi News and Record Review has posted a review of the Luxman PD-171 turntable (£4950). Their conclusions: “The Luxman PD-171’s stylish if retro exterior conceals a design that is absolutely contemporary. With stunning engineering and intelligent digital control electronics the PD-171 is a delight to use. It offers a captivating musical performance.” You can...
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Greg Weaver has posted a review of the Esoteric E-03 phono preamplifier ($5999) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “The Esoteric E-03 represents an exceptional achievement at this price point. With its striking, stylish appearance, intelligent circuit design and execution, and stirring sonics, it readily distinguishes itself from much of its competition. Considering its...
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Steve Harris has posted a review of the EAT C Sharp turntable (£2498) at Hi-Fi News and Record Review. His conclusions: “With this model, EAT really is offering a lot of turntable for the money. The Czech company’s unique advantage, of course, is its close association with Pro-Ject’s manufacturing resources, and many of the...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Modwright Instruments PH 150 phono stage (~€8000) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “Dan Wright promised a “reference phonostage” and in my opinion he kept his word. It is a well thought-through design based on high quality components, that is surely more user-friendly (due to all important...
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WL Low has posted a review of the Kuzma Stabi S turntable ($2075) at av2day.com. His conclusions: “To sum up, the Kuzma Stabi S excels in near total transparency and truthfulness due to it’s low noise factor. It also trumps on big dynamics factor and projecting big music scale. It’s sound staging may not...
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