Turntable and Accessories Reviews
8 May 2024
Recently, Thorens issued a new tonearm, the TP 160, which is now fitted as standard to the TD 1600 and TD 1601 turntables instead of the TP 92 arm. In this review, I will assess how these two arms compare using Thorens TAS 1600 and TAS 1500 MC cartridges.
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1 March 2024
Thorens TAS 1500 and TAS 1600
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Further to my review of the Thorens TD 1600 with the new TP 160 tonearm, I've taken the time to carefully compare the TAS 1500 and TAS 1600 cartridges, using the new arm as well as the older TP 92 arm.
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1 January 2024
With the AT-OC9XML and AT-OC9XSL, I wanted to investigate the relative performance of the Special-) Fine Line versus MicroRidge/MicroLinear stylus shapes. And what better way to do this than by using otherwise practically identical cartridges of the same brand?
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16 December 2023
Denon has a strong reputation for its direct-drive designs of the past and the DP-3000NE is their current flagship premium direct-drive turntable. For this review, I will listen to it using the Denon DL-103 and DL-103R MC cartridges.
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4 December 2023
Here's a special combination: the Bergmann Magne Air-Bearing turntable with Air-Bearing tonearm with the DS Audio W3 cartridge and phono equalizer. As it turns out, they work together seamlessly.
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5 June 2023
After years of development and thoroughly testing various techniques, AVIDHIFI has now released two Tonearms: the entry-level ALTUS and the range-topping NEXUS. In this in-depth review, I will assess both arms using an AVIDHIFI Sequel SP turnbtable.
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15 May 2023
AVIDHIFI BORON MC Cartridge
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AVIDHIFI offers three MC phono cartridges, of which the BORON is the mid-range model. Distinguished from the REFERENCE RUBY top model only by its BORON cantilever, the BORON may well represent the sweet spot of the range.
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2 October 2022
The purpose of Dry Cleaning methods is to introduce a safe and easy method for stylus cleaning. But with so many available solutions, how do they compare? And where does this leave the special wet-cleaning methods?
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17 September 2022
On September 12th, 2022, Dutch distributor Mafico organized an event for Johnnie Bergmann to showcase his Galder air-bearing turntable and Odin linear air-bearing tonearm. The venue for this event was as special as the occasion: the Euromast in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Constructed in 1960, the Euromast was built to mark the first ‘Floriade’, which was […]
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16 November 2021
Degritter
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The Degritter not only cleans records very deeply, but it also makes them sound leaps and bounds better. It is a must-have for everyone who values their vinyl collection.
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30 September 2021
ZYX R50 Bloom3
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Even though I have found time and again that the marriage between a turntable, the arm, and the cartridge can make or break a performance, the Bloom3 worked just as magnificently with the AVID Sequel and Audio Origami PU7 arm as with the Thorens TD1601 and its stock TP-92 arm.
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3 June 2021
A quick comparison between two very different turntables, done in the Ayon/Xavian system.
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31 May 2021
Audio Technica AT33Sa
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Ever since reviewing the Thorens TD1601 turntable, I had been thinking of fitting it with an Audio Technica AT33Sa cartridge. Now's the time to find out if it is indeed the great match that I anticipated.
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30 May 2021
Dynavector 10X5 MkII and DV20X2
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A comparison between two cartridges by the same maker that, on the surface, seem to differ only in terms of coil windings and stylus shape.
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18 May 2021
In this review, I will dive very deeply into all the aspects of three Avid Turntables, how they compare to one another, how they interact with different tonearms and cartridges, and where exactly each model excels. Be prepared - this has resulted in a very long article, even by my standards, but there's a summary for those who want to jump straight to the conclusion.
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5 May 2021
Nagaoka MP-150
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In this Mini-Review, I will be looking at the MP-150's performance using three tonearms and three Avid turntables.
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18 August 2020
When Origin Live issues a Record Weight you can be sure that it will be very different from the competition. While counting at least 9 layers of various combined materials that are all interconnected in a cleverly loosely-coupled manner using nylon screws it's obvious that this product is unlike any other Record Weight.
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7 June 2020
Aidas Gala Gold LE MC Cartridge
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Highly-sophisticated, super-silent, velvety-smooth and extremely refined, the Gala Gold LE is the most revealing cartridge that I have heard so far. It's rare to hear a cartridge so very precise, so linear and so highly resolving yet with an absolute absence of dryness and with seemingly eternal decays.
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8 February 2020
High-end turntables tend to be bulky, large, heavy and complex but the Holbo is none of these. This turntable has been very thoughtfully with ultimate transparency and neutrality as well as ease of use in mind.
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14 December 2019
Thorens TD1601 Turntable
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Having changed owners has clearly worked out well for the beloved Thorens brand. The TD1601 strikes precisely the right balance between classic values and modern engineering.
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11 December 2019
The Origin Live Calypso Mk4 with Illustrious tonearm keeps you at the tip of your seat in anticipation of what the next record will uncover but even though it is so very capable of unveiling microscopic details, it is, most of all, a music machine.
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29 April 2019
Aidas Rainbow MC Cartridge
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the Rainbow cartridge has a beautiful, rainbow-like, multicolor Durawood body and uses an Adamant boron composite cantilever with a double damping system, leading to exceptional sound quality.
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23 October 2017
Origin Live Onyx Tonearm
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An excellent upgrade for many standard tonearms
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15 October 2017
Aidas Panzerholz MC Cartridge
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Powerful, incisive and dynamic with incredible transient behavior
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25 February 2017
Although both cartridges really are excellent, I am most surprised by the affordable Shure M97xE.
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25 February 2017
Phono cartridges can make or break a turntable, but the headshell also has a not inconsiderable influence on the sound.
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4 September 2016
Wooden Bull Turntable Mat
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Technics SL1210, Technics SL-7, Pioneer SL-L1000, Yamaha PX-2, Avid Volvere, Linn LP12 and Thorens TD160MKII.
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26 December 2014
The Big Turntable Comparison
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Technics SL1210, Technics SL-7, Pioneer SL-L1000, Yamaha PX-2, Avid Volvere, Linn LP12 and Thorens TD160MKII.
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25 November 2014
Benz MC Gold Used with: Michell Tecnodeck and Tecno Arm MC Gold is Benz’ most affordable product, and it seems to offer good value for money, but in terms of playback precision, it is no substitute for the brand’s dearer cartridges. Both ACE L and ACE SH have significantly better tracking which results in clearer […]
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6 September 2014
Technics SL1210, Technics SL-7, Pioneer SL-L1000, Yamaha PX-2, Avid Volvere, Linn LP12 and Thorens TD160MKII.
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