Hehe, I remember the British HiFi mags from back in the day - they slagged off anything foreign (mostly Japanese) that looked good and insisted we should only buy British gear that looked like it was thrown together, because it was a mortal sin to waste a penny on looks when it could have paid for a slightly better component or two 😀
Thank you for another year of enjoyable, entertaining gear and music reviews, John. You've enhanced the hifi and music hobby for me personally and I do appreciate sharing your knowledge with us and for your all of your efforts. Pass along my thanks to your team who have helped you along the way. Happy New Year! 🎵
It sounds counterintuitive but audio definitely has a visual aspect. I remember when I bought my first stereo system the look of black rack mounted gear was all the rage and my Nikko amp & preamp and Nakamichi tape deck all had that aesthetic. And back when vinyl was the primary medium we listened to the albums while reading the liner notes, admiring the album art and any other included inserts. It was a multimedia experience.
Totally agree with the Naiad, best looking „deck“ to me personally. But i can’t stand the Thorens…maybe to restless look, i guess. Much prefer cleaner lines. Like Roksans Xerxes, Perpetuum Ebner, Magnat MTT990 or the Technics SL100/SL1500…but that’s only my kind of taste 😉 Happy new year John 🎆
Happy new year Mr Darko, i deffo think you need a side by side comparison of these turntables,just to make sure looks match sounds. as you've not really did one in a while (tongue in cheek).😂
I almost bought the Denon, but went with the new Technics SL-1200GR2. The Thorens looks retro and cool, but not enough to justify that price in my opinion.
What, no Linn 50th anniversary edition, shocker. 🤣. As a long term Linn fanatic I don’t hanker after any other deck, however, I am surprised that the selection was relatively conventional given how outlandish some turntables are these days. Thanks for the entertainment this year, John, and keep up the good work. Happy New Year.
TD124? Really??! It looks like an old electric stove... i think the Technics SL-1210GR is the most beautiful turntable ever made with the black-silver-blue style.
"Old electric stove" you nailed it 😅 so true , as for your technics GR , it's a beautiful player , I have the G model and wouldn't trade it for anything I've seen in this presentation.
I agree that looks are important. Interestingly what is beautiful to one can be ugly to another. The sound is also critical since it is hi-fi. There is some gear I want just because it looks cool. Yes I know I have a problem but I work to manage it. Need a blend of both sound and looks that appeal for me to be happy and spend my money on gear. Always interesting videos even though I moved on from turntables years ago. Happy New Year!
The prettiest turntable to me is the Gold Note Pianosa. Don't know what year it came out, but perhaps you should do a series of "prettiest components" lists.
Mr Darko. I enjoy your work, but I am commenting about Lisboa. My memories from being there over 30 years ago are three: the coffee, the morning bread and butter, and going to a cool record store. And yes, the work, but….
That Thorens anniversary is a very beautiful table . I wanted it but couldn't afford it. I wonder after they have sold them all if the plan is to sell them next year with some other tweaks and aesthetic to make it even more beautiful and to sound better?
My local library has LP collection for check out (I think it is a bit rare these days). I dug up a decades old turn table from the closet and tried out a number of LPs from the library, some seems to be earlier year or original release presses from the 60's and 70's based on the labels on the LPs. No doubt it was very exciting to play with physical media again, particularly very old presses. But the background quietness and convenience are just not comparable to streaming.
Thanks for a great year John. The Thorens got my vote. I actually really like your Thorens as well but i can't do fully manual TT's . I have lived with one but it had to go ! Just like looks, usability is also important ! If i can quote you "getting up like an animal" to lift the tone arm at completion drives me nuts! I know it maybe compromising sound quality, but is my system high end enough to matter? I think not.
exact. I have 2 thorens, both full auto. ( the tiny 4 wires connecting to back of cartridge... break one, find out the value of the SME / Technics H'shell ). learned long ago ( original new AR t'table ) full auto was the way to go, for me. far more precise at the critical needle / LP contact. and at near full volume with a 110 w / ch amp, needle half inch above rotating Lp - NO hum , No hiss.
the Denon is really great lookin. I like the old Thorens 240, have one. also. the more trad looking 148 model - looks exact same lifting the platter , + tonearm pivot. (they say improved bearings with the in-between 103 ) Also the Sony mid 80's pslx series - modern but without all the (unnecessary ) flashing strobes, 23 switches, picture disc LP's. any of that. k I s s. applies.
You are absolutely correct, looks matter! I purchased a Technics 1210GR last year. Love the sound, ease of use, fast set up, dependability. The only thing I do not like is the looks! I hate the DJ looks. I'm thinking about buying the just released Denon DP3000 NE. It looks gorgeous! Waiting for the reviews before I pull the trigger!
;) ...my Technics 1210GR, bought last year, shines perfectly in silver...would never move to Denon or other just because of the look. what you have is best quality the smart hifi man can purchase...
My votes (though they're not new 'tables) are for the SME 20 and 30 models with the 'mustard'-colored platters (restrained English elegance in music-tank form, and that platters' color hue remind me of Saturn or one of its moons) and AMG Giro and Viella (the latter with the wooden skirt). These are hella expensive, but great-sounding and great-looking 'tables. For new 'tables, the DSOTM has a wonderful look though.
My garrard 401 sme arm still looks amazing. Turns heads when people visit. Also my micro seiki mb-10 still looks as good as the day I bought it, and I bought it partly because of its looks. Yes looks are important but not the be all and end all of public choice. Some people seem to like "ugly".
Having grown up with incredibly svelte turntables such as B&O and the like, in my opinion that Thorens looks like a 50's Edsel by comparison - no matter how good it is.
The thorens is kinda cheating as that whole look is already pretty established and iconic, especially with the emt tonearm design. I think the denon is a very elegant mix of their older tonearm design and more minimalist modern looks. A bit of a mix between the older denons and the older jvcs. Quite impressive they seem to be making their own tonearms as well.
I missed the voting. I’m a little surprised nobody voted in the Mag-Lev levitating turntable. I’m not sure about the sound quality or have heard it, but it’s beautiful and cool.
Mag - lev went bust in 2019 I believe, I almost bought one but something inside told me it would be a bad idea , so I purchased a technics sl 1200g instead. Close call huh .
What a great idea! I suppose my list would be any SME table, and I saw perhaps the most stunning it is made by Mo-fi and called "The Fender Tribute" Stunning finish. I still feel my first "High End" piece of equip is still among the most attractive $400.00 USD in 1972 an Empire 598 MK-II
I would think weight shouldn't really affect a turntable meaningfully. It would only really put extra strain on the motor while it is accelerating. Once up to speed, the difference would be negligible, assuming the bearing is good.
I'd like more clarity going into 2024 about the Heos app and Masimo taking over the B&W Denon etc with some kind of health app. I wanted to buy a B&W Zeppelin Air and was discouraged to do it.
Dammit. I grew up using my dad's Thorens TD-124 and it unfortunately got thrown out when my parents died. My brother and sister didn't save it. Kill me now.
I would like to know your thoughts on running a pair of Apple Home pods or Sonos Era 100 powered speakers for streaming music. People say they both sound amazing and for the price they could be a good solution for someone looking to just play music in a room. I would love to hear your thoughts because I respect your opinion.
Most interesting Vinyl evangelism ( as cd`s arnt that good ) . what budget amp and speakers would you use.? ,,,, a lesson that took me to long to learn is to keep vinyl very clean , so now I have a professional cleaning machine . My old vinyl system is Dual 502 deck, CASTLE HOWARD S2 speakers and Cambridge A60 amp I brought in 1983 and it's still wonderful very nice for my secondary system. My main system Michael Se Quad blocks valve (the Best)and Harbeth speakers a McIntosh headphone amp ,Hifiman 1000se headphones.Could you please do a 3 part series a budget second hand vinyal entry system , a mid range system and part 3 the Dream imposible to buy system.
