The VC-S remains ahead of the competition. Most record cleaning machines are, in reality, primitive, dysfunctional, uncomfortable loud, poorly constructed and ugly enough to upset a blind man’s aesthetic senses. It’s a wonder some of them work at all. The VC-s has some way to go in terms of refinement, but it’s still one of the best looking and most efficient record cleaning machines you can buy.
Tag: Turntable
Spartan 10 By Michael Fidler Retrospective Review
The review below was kindly contributed by Nipper Varney. This review was written some time ago and is reference in Nipper’s recent phono stage comparison contribution. The Spartan 10 has now been discontinued, replaced by the Spartan 15, so I am publishing this as a kind of retrospective as there are certainly plenty of Spartan 10s out there ‘in the wild’.
Phono Stage Comparison – Classic Audio Spartan & Pro, Pro-Ject, Ifi
The review below was kindly contributed by Nipper Varney. Michael Fidler of Classic Audio asked me if I would consider publishing a review of his latest Spartan 15 phonostage contributed by Nipper. I agreed and what follows is a fantastic in-depth comparison of a number of phono stages, including the Spartan 15. Also featured are the Spartan 5, Spartan 10, MM PRO, MC PRO, and units from Pro-Ject and Ifi too.
MC Pro by Michael Fidler Moving Coil Phono Stage Reviewed
The finest technical performance of any phono stage I can find on the market at any price. The MC Pro will shake up this stagnated industry for the better. It demonstrates that real-world performance is not wizardry or pseudoscience, but competence and ability. The audio industry needs more of both if it is to stand a chance of survival, and Michael Fidler is a clear frontrunner.
Spartan 5 by Michael Fidler Phono Stage Reviewed
A diminutive little box, in which is a simple but objectively and subjectively top-class circuit typology. The Spartan series should be underlined at the top of your shortlist. They represent high-end objective performance and save you a boatload of cash.
Repairing Cassette Capstan & Turntable DC Motors
A basic primer on cassette capstan and turntable DC motors and how to repair them if they become noisy. With due care and a steady hand many can be repaired with success.
Collaro Audio Precision Cloth Turntable Mat Reviewed
a genuinely clever bit of engineering turned out as a fine product, that in a good system is well worth the money.
IPT RigB 95 – Metal Body Upgrade For Audio-Technica VM95 Cartridges
A thoroughly enjoyable listen and a worthwhile upgrade for Audio-Technica VM95 cartridges.
Musical Fidelity M6x Vinyl Phono Stage Reviewed
a fun, enthralling experience in much the same vein as the M6, but with improvements in every area.
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable Reviewed
It may have its foibles but so does every audiophile-inspired manual belt drive turntable regardless of cost. A solid turntable capable of great performance.
Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Turntable Full Teardown
A simple yet effective turntable design of perfectly acceptable quality and very well executed given the asking price.
Analogue Innovation In Sole Elastomer Isolators Reviewed
Analogue Innovation’s elastomer isolator kit brings considerable sonic advantages while removing most of the frustration inherent with the ownership of a suspended turntable.
Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl Phono Stage Reviewed
Switchable inputs, plenty of adjustment, accurate RIAA equalisation and a neutral sound.
Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Direct-Drive Turntable In-Depth Review
For those looking to play records to a high standard with minimal fuss and an easy upgrade path, the LP5X is hard to fault. It’s not the be-all and end-all direct drive deck. But it looks perfectly respectable, sounds great out of the box and has a lot of modding potential.
The Audio Appraisal Reference Hi-Fi System
The Audio Appraisal reference system. This post will be updated to reflect future changes and kept as a historic reference to log the equipment used to create these reviews.
Audio-Technica VM500 / VM700 Phono Cartridges Reviewed
cracking carts for the money, continuing a logical reshuffle and welcome refresh of AT’s cartridge line.
Will An Audio-Technica AT-LP60 / AT-LP60X Turntable Damage Your Records?
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is without doubt one of the best-selling budget turntables to date, and the newly released AT-LP60X is sure to follow. But will either turntable cause undue damage to your records?
Repairing an Audio-Technica AT-LP60 With a Failed Motor
A couple of years ago I tested a GPO Stylo which was at the time one of the cheapest turntables available on the market. It was suggested that I repeat the test with an Audio-Technica AT-Lp60, arguably one of the best-selling budget turntables.
Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part Four
A tale of two turntables continues. In part 4 we’ll wrap up the series with some final observations, build notes and listening tests.
Technics SL-1200G Review & Comparison With SL-1200GR
Like the SP10 in the late ‘60s, the SL-1200G has raised the bar and set new performance standards that should redefine expectations for what high-end vinyl playback should be. The SL-1200G is a masterpiece. You owe it to yourself to hear one.