All in Analog

Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge

Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge

Karl Sigman
Analog, Star Component Award

Most audiophiles have a similar story to tell as the one I hereby offer as the lead to this review: One day some months ago, a friend came by excited to play on my turntable what he said was a very fine LP. When the tone arm dropped, all we heard was a loud screeching sound, no music. Close inspection revealed that ‘someone’ had meddled with the diamond tipped needle, and like an acrobat it was now in a most contorted configuration, bent 180 degrees with some cute wiggles too. The needle cracked off shortly after.

Although my 3-year old daughter admitted that she was to blame, she had such a logical and endearing explanation for her action that of course I could not take her to task except to make her promise never again to 'mess around with Papa’s stereo system'. [I introduce to you, fellow audiophiles, Karl Sigman, the most patient man on the planet - Ed]

Rega RP10 Turntable

Rega RP10 Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

Much of the technology incorporated in Rega's recent RP8 turntable transitoned up to the new flagship RP10. As such, a read of our RP8 review would be a good idea before reading the RP10 review. In addition to the new technology added to the RP8, the RP10 was designed with those and some truly new extraordinary design cues that set a new bar for Rega. 

Rega Apheta 2 MC Phono Cartridge

Rega Apheta 2 MC Phono Cartridge

Anthony Kershaw
Analog

Just when I was about to begin serious listening for a serious review of Rega's moving coil Apheta phono cartridge, I got the news a 2nd generation was ready to go. Usually, these generational upswings are gentle, akin to composers changing a few notes here and there to stretch copyright length. But the buzz on the new Apheta 2 was different. Big changes. I'd wait.

Ortofon MC Cadenza Red Phono Cartridge

Ortofon MC Cadenza Red Phono Cartridge

Anthony Kershaw
Analog

This sub $1300 moving coil from Denmark's Ortofon is the entry level model of the 'Cadenza' colour series. Ortofon also offers a very popular colour series for its moving magnet cartridges. I had a chance to listen to the Cadenza Red at length on two different turntables, the Bergmann Audio Magne Turntable and the Rega RP8. 

Rega Aria Phonostage

Rega Aria Phonostage

Anthony Kershaw
Analog

Phono stages are tricky things. They’re critical in the amplification of the very low signal output of cartridges. Better design and better parts equal better sound. You can buy phono stages, at least of the moving magnet cartridge variety for less than a hundred dollars at corner electronic stores. Hell, you can even get a quality NAD Electronics PP 2e Phono on Amazon for about $150.

The Rega RP8 Turntable

The Rega RP8 Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

This review has been some time coming. I’ve always been a fan of Rega products — we’ve been reviewing and listening to Roy Gandy’s kit for many years but getting a review sample has been like capturing a golden unicorn. Our Canadian distributor was out of stock. Always out. ‘I’ll get back to you’. We were not getting the run around — the distributor is a wonderful guy and always accommodating. Simply, a very popular item.

VPI Industries Scout Turntable

VPI Industries Scout Turntable

Karl Sigman
Analog

After completing my recent review of the VPI Industries Scout Jr. Turntable, I was impressed to move forward with some of its convenient upgrades to bring it more up to par with my reference system. I briefly report here what I did and the benefits thereof with some food for thought thrown in for good measure.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntable

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

I felt compelled to write a brief addition to this mini review that we posted in 2013. My 23 year old nephew has been bitten hard by the audiophile bug. His budget was set and Christmas money was saved, and he asked for a suggestion to jump into the high end. He loves vinyl. It was an easy choice. With his budget, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntable immediately came to mind.

Bergmann Audio Magne Turntable

Bergmann Audio Magne Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

I first discovered the Bergmann Audio turntables during an event at a local dealer. Before I heard a note, I fell in love with the look of these Danish Bauhaus beauties. All straight lines, simple design and an air bearing, tangential tracking arm that looked as elegant as the turntable to which it was attached. Since many air bearing arms and tangential trackers have been a nuisance to setup and maintain, having two difficult technologies in one arm and looking awfully easy to use, I was doubly intrigued.

Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Cartridge

Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Cartridge

Anthony Kershaw
Analog

Danish manufacturer Ortofon, highly regarded by audiophiles for fair value, wonderful sounding cartridges, has produced a ‘colour coded’ set called the Ortofon 2M magnetic cartridge system. Entry level Red is followed by the subject of this mini review, the Blue and up through Bronze, and finally Black. The Blue retails for a very reasonable $225

The Tri-Planar Ultimate 12” Tonearm

The Tri-Planar Ultimate 12” Tonearm

Audiophilia Staff
Analog

Tri-Planar has been producing some of the world’s finest tonearms for the past fifty years. The late Herb Papier, the founder of the company, introduced the original Wheaton Tri-Planar arm at the 1981 Consumer Electronics Show, but he had been making tonearms for some twenty years for family and friends. It is not surprising how many high-end audio manufacturers are musicians, and Herb was no exception—he expressed his love of music as a trumpet player—and he turned his talents as a precision watchmaker to the manufacturing of tonearms.

Transfiguration Axia Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

Transfiguration Axia Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

Audiophilia Staff
Analog

The Axia replaces the Aria as entry level cartridge in the Transfiguration line. It features an aluminum body to control resonances in addition to a boron cantilever and Ogura diamond stylus. With a tracking force of 2.0 grams and an output of .38 mV, it should be easy for most phono stages to handle without a step up device. The balance of the Transfiguration line consists of the Phoenix at $4,250.00 and the top of the line Proteus at $6,000.00. According to the manufacturer, the Axia shares the basic sonic attributes of its higher priced companions.

Clearaudio Concept Turntable

Clearaudio Concept Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

I don’t believe in trickle down economics. Ronald Reagan and the 80s saw to that. Robert Suchy of German company Clearaudio obviously does. And his form of the free market works. I have been listening intently to Clearaudio products for many years. I reviewed a few for Audiophilia. They have always made outstanding analogue products, from fairly inexpensive to technological, pricey marvels.