2022 was an awesome yr for turntables with some wonderful new reasonably priced choices from Pro-Ject, U-Turn Audio, Audio-Technica, Roksan, Fluance, NAD, and Technics. Having owned some very costly decks prior to now from Michell, Audiomeca, and Wilson-Benesch, I’m totally conscious of the playback variations between $1,000 and virtually $7,000 with a fairly costly Benz Micro MC at one level on the Michell Orbe SE.
A Michell Gyro SE is an aspirational product for me at this level; I’m fairly content material with my restored Thorens TD-160 Super and TD-145 MKII from Vinyl Nirvana in New Hampshire.
Much to my spouse’s dismay, I additionally personal 3 different turntables that get a good quantity of listening time; an NAD C 588, Yamaha YP-701, and the Andover Audio SpinDeck Max.
Audiophile Entry-Level (Below $600)
Andover Audio SpinDeck Max Automatic Turntable ($599)
There is plenty of competitors beneath $600 and I used to be lucky this yr to strive a lot of them from Rega, Pro-Ject, Fluance, and Andover Audio. The stage of efficiency that may be squeezed out of an entry-level deck is shocking, however for most individuals — they simply need to set it up and hear.
I wasn’t actually blown away by the SpinDeck however the SpinDeck Max is a very completely different desk that’s manufactured in Germany for Andover. The automated design simply feels extra substantial and it’s constructed to a a lot larger normal; which incorporates the tonearm and fairly beefy platter.
The equipped Ortofon OM10 is okay however I swapped it out for a Grado Prestige Red3 which simply sounds fuller and fewer shiny in my workplace system. The SpinDeck Max is just not a elaborate deck but it surely comes throughout as barely extra authoritative sounding with wonderful tempo in most techniques. It will also be tweaked with a cork platter from Analog Restorations and positively advantages from some isolation. You may be stunned at what this deck can do with a greater cartridge and phono preamplifier.
Learn extra right here.
Where to purchase: $599 at andoveraudio.com | Amazon
Audiophile Mid-Tier
Pro-Ject Debut PRO ($1,000)
Having spent two months with the Debut Pro which proved to be one among my favourite merchandise of 2022, I’m greater than assured to advocate it to anybody within the $1,000 vary. Inflation has pushed all the things larger however I’d nonetheless spend the additional cash on this one.
I in contrast the Debut Pro to all 5 tables that I’ve at dwelling and whereas I’m not in any hurry to swap it out for my Thorens TD-160 Super/Rega RB-303/Ortofon 2M Black setup, it actually saved my consideration for nearly 60 days.
Pro-Ject has the flexibility to fabricate virtually something and the brand new tonearm and really inert platter elevate this desk in a really substantial approach; it sounds way more forceful and dynamic in comparison with the Debut EVO tables that lack some backside finish weight and presence as compared.
The equipped Sumiko cartridge works effectively however swapping that out for the Sumiko Wellfleet or Blue Point No. 3 is a really worthwhile improve.
Read my overview right here or watch our video overview right here.
Where to purchase: $999 at Amazon | Crutchfield | Turntable Lab
Audiophile High-End ($2,500+)
Pro-Ject X2 B ($1,799)
Does balanced actually make a distinction?
My expertise means that it does if it’s a must to deal with sure noise points.
Almost 22 years in the past, I invested in a really costly turntable and felt that I had reached vinyl nirvana. I paid an expert $200 to correctly set up the cartridge, setup the desk which had a finicky suspension system, and assist me mount the turntable shelf to the wall.
My constructing on the time was a pre-war in downtown Toronto that wanted an improve on {the electrical} entrance. Noisy to say the least.
No matter what I attempted, my turntable setup at all times sounded noisy; floor loop points, fixed hiss, and it turned a a supply of melancholy (first world issues). Why hassle spending virtually $8,000 on such a system if it sounded horrible.
A neighborhood vendor urged that I’ve my arm and desk modified in order that I may run a completely balanced rig; which additionally included upgrading to a balanced phono stage. I offered a number of different gadgets to facilitate the modifications.
Extreme? Perhaps.
But after I listened to the identical data that mattered to me — I used to be surprised by the variations in readability, noise flooring, and total dynamics of the sound.
Does a balanced setup at all times sound higher? Not essentially and I’m not satisfied that each producer who markets “balanced” is actually providing that.
The Pro-Ject X2 B affords each single-ended and balanced connection choices, however you do want to make use of an MC cartridge for a balanced setup.
Is there an enormous hole between the Debut PRO and the X2 B? Fair query.
If working the identical MM cartridge like a Sumiko Wellfleet, I might nonetheless give the sting to the X2 B in the case of impression and total decision, however the hole isn’t huge.
However, when working a MC cartridge into one of many Pro-Ject balanced phono pre-amplifiers or one thing just like the Moon by Simaudio 610LP — the hole between the 2 tables is fairly huge.
The readability, bass impression, soundstage depth and width, and total dynamics of the system completely modifications.
The Pro-Ject X2 B goes from being an excellent $1,799 turntable to a fairly distinctive desk that may compete with with some tables within the $2,500 to $3,000 vary and I’ve heard sufficient $3,000 tables to know.
My fairly lengthy and in-depth overview after Thanksgiving. Learn extra right here.
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