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Many of the turntables on the market are direct driven, although many producers swear by belt drive. A belt between the motor and the plate ensures that vibrations and noise from the motor do not end up in the plate and are thus captured by the pin and pickup. Direct drive means that the normal bearing on which the turntable usually rotates is replaced by an electric motor which is connected directly to the turntable.It opens up some challenges purely in terms of noise, but with the precision with which today's electric motors are delivered, manufacturers such as Technics of Reloop have shown ..

Wilson Benesch Omnium loudspeakerToday’s Wilson Benesch has full carbon-fiber manufacturing capability in-house, which may be unique in high-end audio. The 17-employee company also has a machine shop where it manufactures virtually all the parts in its loudspeakers, down to the driver-motor housings.But is there a material even better than carbon fiber, and one that is more sustainable? To find out, in 2017 Wilson Benesch joined a consortium of 17 European research laboratories, universities, and industries to explore a sustainable (non-petroleum-based) alternative to carbon fiber created from..

Aesthetix’s first foray into power amps is an unqualified success. Aesthetically, the Atlas is handsome in a brawny but tasteful way. Its front panel offers a convenient menu-system for input selection and crossover point, the latter feature allowing the amp to easily mate with a subwoofer. Sonically, the amp has great resolution and reflexes, making it a snap to follow interleaved melodic and rhythmic lines. The Atlas creates a cloud of air around each instrument, and a deep convincing sense of space. Indeed, its resolution, timing, and imaging are beyond reproach. Tonally, this amp is on the..

Sometimes I think expensive components—I'll let you decide what constitutes expensive—should come with a big red sticker on the box that reads "WARNING! This product will probably not meet your expectations!" That's because when you spend a lot of money on something, you expect that something to have no flaws and to sound nigh perfect. Why else would you have paid so much? As you gaze at it, touch it, and listen to it, it constantly reassures you that you made the right decision by picking it over all the other, less pricey candidates. It has to be unambiguously better than any component of it..

Built For PowerWhen someone of Steve Guttenberg’s stature recommends our Classic 98 as “for $1399 you’re not gonna get an amplifier that does it like this does… this is going to deliver more of a sonic upgrade than any other component you can buy for $1399,” one tends to take that seriously as a design team.So, what did we do? We set about building Classic 99. Yeah, we’re gluttons for punishment.The brief was clear from the start—not always the case at the outset of a new project. Sometimes, it takes a more meandering journey as various options are explored. In this case, we knew the clear a..

Active or powered loudspeakers seem to be gaining ground in the wireless world that so many music lovers choose. The sort of powered speakers that are making headway tend to be more about keeping costs down and features up, but that is changing; there are now some respectable speaker makers building wireless and sometimes genuinely active speakers for a market with limited space and a fear of cables. ATC have been making active loudspeakers for almost as long as they have been in business, which started in the seventies with drive units and progressed to full loudspeakers of the pro variety in..

Hegel H190v streaming amp for vinyl loversHaving secured the very first UK review sample of the Hegel’s new H190v (v for vinyl), the immediate observation is that a moving magnet phono stage has been added and so we have an additional pair of RCA connectors alongside a ground tag on the rear panel. Other than that it’s cosmetically identical except that this one is in matte black whereas my reference H190 is white. That’s coming soon for the revised design although I think I prefer the black, it’s more discreet. Sound qualityAll the reports I’ve heard is that it works extremely well with an MM..

The ATC SCM11 speakers are recognized for their exceptional sound clarity and balance, making them top-tier speakers for audiophiles.Known for precise and detailed sound reproduction, this model provides extraordinary sound fidelity, ideal for demanding music and home cinema systems. With a robust construction and elegant design, the ATC SCM11 combines aesthetics and functionality, ensuring long-lasting quality and visual appeal. As a high-quality stereo speaker, the SCM11 offers accurate bass, clear mid-tones, and crystal-clear highs, making every listening experience exceptional.ATC SCM 11Ne..