Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

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Review: Ken Kessler, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Apr 26, 2025  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2024
hfnoutstandingHigh style meets high mass in EAT’s flagship turntable, coupled here with one of the most flexible tonearm solutions ever seen – the F-Note even includes an alignment laser!

If anyone doubts we are treated to as much, if not more novelty than back in the day when LPs ruled, EAT’s Fortissimo turntable and F-Note tonearm will put paid to that. Like TechDAS’s vacuum hold-down and air bearing [HFN Jun ’19], or the Reed deck [HFN Apr ’24] available in idler- and belt-drive versions, this EAT combination bursts with clever features.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Feb 07, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingThe man behind more than a few iconic and longstanding turntable designs – including Thorens – has distilled that lifetime’s experience into his own brand. Welcome, Thiele...

It’s always exciting when a designer of great renown finally brings to market an own-name product. So while many of us may not instantly recognise the name Thiele – not to be confused with the Thiel Audio brand of the US that declared bankruptcy in 2018 – there is every chance that we’ve already come across one of Helmut Thiele’s many creations.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Feb 03, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
hfncommendedSkyanalog’s mid-range G series is refreshed with MKII models boasting lower downforces and impedance, with little impact to output or tracking. We test the entry model...

It was tempting to kick off this review comparing cartridge manufacturer Skyanalog with its fellow Chinese brand BYD, which uses the tagline ‘the biggest car brand you’ve never heard of’. Sadly, Skyanalog’s UK distributor, Sound Design Distribution (SDD), beat us to the punchline by splashing ‘Possibly the most successful cartridge manufacturer you’ve never heard of’ across its webpage.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 17, 2025  |  First Published: Jan 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingThe latest addition to Pro-Ject’s X line of turntables features a crystal-clear acrylic plinth and comes equipped with a new 10in alloy tonearm and ‘balanced’ MM cartridge

While some companies look to completely re-brand in the face of changing attitudes, it’s reassuring to see others persuade us of technological advancements in more familiar fashion. So, at the opposite end of the spectrum from the reborn Jaguar automotive brand, you get Pro-Ject Audio Systems being as evangelical as ever in its quest to steer all vinylistas towards balanced operation.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 14, 2025  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2024
hfnoutstandingWith two tried-and-tested belt-driven turntables already in its repertoire, vinyl maven MoFi dallies with a novel drive strategy for its heavyweight MasterDeck flagship

Since the company’s inception in 2014, MoFi Electronics has developed a reputation for high-quality products. And in a range now encompassing turntables, cartridges, phono stages, loudspeakers, a DAC and a growing number of accessories, there is also a convenient pathway of progression along an upgrade ladder. For MoFi’s vinyl-related items, this takes you from ‘Studio’, through ‘Ultra’, and onto ‘Master’ models.

Review: Ken Kessler, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Nov 21, 2024
hfnoutstandingIs this the largest cartridge manufacturer we've never heard of? Stepping out of the OEM shadows to unveil its own-brand MCs, Skyanalog looks set to be a major disruptor

Two things struck me when PM said we'd be reviewing a cartridge from a new manufacturer. The first thought, from my glass-half-empty side, was: do we really need another? But the second was: this must be proof that the vinyl revival is substantial enough to warrant it. When told that the company was planning a 25th anniversary model, my curiosity about Skyanalog was truly piqued. 'New' it most certainly isn't.

Review: Jamie Biesemans, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Oct 31, 2024
hfnoutstandingFrom SL-1200GR to 'GR2, Technics' adherence to the theory of 'marginal gains' ensures its most popular direct-drive deck remains at least one step ahead of the competition

Following the debut of its first direct-drive models over 50 years ago [see PM's boxout, p75], many versions of Technics' iconic SL-1200 model have appeared, all able to trace their technical and industrial design back to the original. Neither have enthusiasts been short of choice - when the legendary spinner returned in 2016, after a six-year hiatus, the brand introduced four SL-1200 tiers. The 'GR' or 'Grand Class' occupied a middle position, with the apex SL-1200R version and heavier 'G/GAE' models catering to hardcore audiophiles, and the more affordable 'MK7/ M7' units aimed at budding DJs.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Oct 23, 2024
Launched in 1954, the Garrard 301 'transcription motor' saw seven editions until production ceased in 1964. Sixty years later comes another, in an 'Advanced' plinth!

I can sense your confusion. However, before you start wondering why our 'Vintage Review' has moved closer to the front of the magazine than usual, let me explain. Yes, you are looking at a turntable based around a Garrard 301, but this is a rather special one - a Garrard 301 produced in limited numbers and made strictly to order. In the plinth shown here and complete with SME Series V-12 tonearm, it will set you back £51,645, or £43,945 with an SME M2-12R. What, you might reasonably ask, is going on?

Review: Jamie Biesemans, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Oct 02, 2024
hfnoutstandingDesigned to take advantage of Pro-Ject's 'balanced' phono preamps, this flag-waving moving-coil marks a departure from the brand's Ortofon-derived moving-magnets

As a major turntable manufacturer, Pro-Ject has a longstanding relationship with cartridge builders. This makes sense, as the brand likes to deliver decks ready to play, which requires an MM or MC. Previously, the Austrian company has bundled cartridges from Ortofon with its turntables in Europe, while Sumiko models are favoured in the US, but has lately been launching its own designs, including tweaked Ortofon models such as the Pick it 2M Silver and Pick it S2 C. The Pick it MC9 on test here is something else, though.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Sep 27, 2024
hfnoutstandingSME’s rollout of MK2 models – all benefitting from lessons learnt in the development of its flagship Model 60 turntable – has reached the Model 15, tested here with 309 arm

SME’s development of its formidable flagship Model 60 turntable, released a couple of years ago [HFN Jul ’22], continues to influence designs lower down the UK manufacturer’s range. All are being upgraded to MK2 status, the latest being the Model 15. On test here, retailing for £12,067 with pre-fitted SME 309 tonearm, this deck is also the most affordable in SME’s lineup with a proper suspended subchassis.

Hi-Fi News  |  Sep 12, 2024
Acutus turntable brings motor system back onboard

AVID Hi-Fi has announced its first new turntable since 2018. Priced £10,000, the Acutus Dark Iron replaces the previous Acutus Dark Limited Edition to become the new entry model in the manufacturer’s top-line series, and debuts a new AC motor system – with DSP-generated adjustable speed control – that’s coupled to the deck’s cast aluminium sprung-suspension chassis.

Peter J Comeau  |  Sep 11, 2024
hfnvintageWhat could match a Lumley Stratosphere turntable better than Lumley’s LM2 speakers and PS2/M250 pre/power amps, says Peter J Comeau

It was back in the March 1996 issue of Hi-Fi News that I took my first look at the £6250 Stratosphere ST1 – a turntable that proved out of this world in sound quality as well as name. Now John Jeffries of Reference International (the name behind both the Strat and Lumley) has delivered a complete system including the £4500 LM2 loudspeakers.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Aug 30, 2024
Clearaudio’s entry-level deck for over a decade, the Concept is refreshed with ‘TSC’ (Tacho Speed Control) and speed selection, plus a selection of arms and cartridges

Thanks to the continued resurgence of the vinyl format, enthusiasts can now choose from a good number of plug-and-play turntable packages. Even better, the quality of these complete solutions – once considered a first step on the vinyl ladder for those wanting ease of use, or for whom the dark arts of turntable setup were a terrifying mystery – has been creeping ever higher.

Review: Ken Kessler, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jul 18, 2024
hfnoutstandingEvery product range has its sweet spot and the combination of EAT’s C-Dur deck with C-Note tonearm and optional Jo No5 moving-coil pick-up makes it the ‘plum’ choice

Just below the mid-price point of European Audio Team’s (EAT) nine-model range, the C-Dur belt-drive deck looks likely to identify a new price/ performance benchmark. We have been flooded with decks at the £10,000-£12,000 mark to designate entry to the scary high-end, and companies such as MoFi, Thorens and Pro-Ject have numerous models from £500-£3000, but something was needed in between from, say, £3000 and £5000. At £3500 with arm, EAT’s C-Dur – German for C major – fits the bill.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jul 18, 2024
hfnoutstandingThe Ethos MC has waved the flag for UK pick-up brand Goldring for over five years, and now the design has been given the ‘SE treatment’ with silver wiring and more...

Everyone loves a special edition because, unlike a limited edition, it’s usually the forerunner of trickledown into the standard range. The hi-fi industry is a fertile ground for such bounty and the latest manufacturer to come up with a tempting morsel is Goldring, its new Ethos SE moving-coil taking its place at the top of the range, priced at £1299. Historically, while this is a big ticket for Goldring it is still rather more affordable than many a premium pick-up from the artisan suppliers based outside of the UK.

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