 Since
commencing business way back in 1981, we have always
been ardent supporters of analogue reproduction and
have always demonstrated how much more musically involving
vinyl really is. Whilst we understand that CD is held
to the pure and perfect reproduction apparatus we have
always dissented against this commonly held view. Anyone
who has heard even a Rega Planar 2 or 3 soon realizes
that there is something inherently correct about LP
playback and countless demonstrations over the years
affirm this view, yielding hundreds of satisfied clients
investing in analogue machinery and who to this very
day continue to enjoy the vast variety of performances
available, in many cases only from this most marvelous
of mediums.
 Our
recommended entry level deck has always been the Planar
2 (now discontinued) and from there its worthy sibling the now justifiably
famous Planar 3. We have always sold many more P3’s
than P2’s simply because, for the extra few hundred
dollars difference, the quality of playback is on a
different level. From there we go directly to the Linn
LP-12. Available with a variety of arms, cartridges,
power supplies and even bases the LP-12 we believe represents
the very pinnacle of what can be achieved with music
playback in a given domestic environment. Outwardly
simple the engineering of hidden components such as
the patented single point bearing that enables more
information to be extracted from any given LP. The more
information we are able to get from the record, the
more pleasure we get from listening to our priceless
LP’s.
In my very humble opinion it is a moot point that the
finest classical music, the best rock music ever, and
even the most worthy of jazz music, was performed and
recorded from approximately the early forties to the
late seventies/early eighties, and this period just
happened to occur during the period when the vinyl LP
was at it’s zenith. Countless times I have met
with new clients whom are amazed when they hear just
how good an LP sounds on say a humble Rega P3 pitted
against CD machinery that costs four, five, even six
times as much! In the end it’s the music that
matters, not the playback machinery! An exotic power
amplifier sitting on the shelf with an expensive set
of speakers complete with five star ratings will all
come to nothing unless the system plays music at a level
where our emotions are reacting in a positive manner
day in day out. No amount of super imaging, soundstaging
nor depth, height or other “hi-fi traits”
will compensate if the system is unable to play in tune
and in time. This is where CD is at its most vulnerable,
nice clear sound however, a few bars via a Rega P2 and
your foot is tapping away in time with the beat from
the music; jazz, classical or rock, it doesn't matter.
I must say and add that convenience is often the catch
word for CD aficionados, however as I often point out
to individuals at 323, McDonalds is also convenient,
do we choose to eat at their facilities because it is
so?
Finally, aspirations of providing the
highest quality reproduction of music in the home, is
what our industry was founded upon. In my opinion the
charge towards so called “home entertainment systems”,
MP3 playback, and even the currently trendy medium of
downloading music via the internet is not going to provide
people with the level of quality required for long term
satisfaction. You can’t fool the human brain and
one day soon we may realise that the greatest medium
ever devised for storing music was and is the humble
LP record. One final parting word, if the industry had
continued to invest in improved analogue production
techniques which would have been a mere fraction of
that invested in digital technology ie CD, not only
would the industry be able to boast superior quality
music reproduction, but it also would have no issues
as they currently do with the pirating of CD’s
and the downloading of music files etc, along with the
attendant loss of revenue. The humble LP, can not be
copied, reproduced nor pirated as such, so all in all
one could consider the LP was and is by and large the
optimum medium for all parties involved!
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Rega Planar 78
The Rega Planar 78 mono turntable
is designed specifically to play 78's.
The plinth design is of a low mass particulate
core sandwiched by highly rigid phenolic laminates.
The P78 uses a derivative of the new ultra low
vibration state of the art rigid mounted motor
assembly borrowed from the P3. The Platter is
CNC machined HDF which is then metalized, giving
a platter with good mass and accuracy. Finally,
the P78 carries the legendary Rega RB250 tonearm,
(The choice of many other turntable manufacturers).
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Rega Planar 3
For over twenty years the P3 has
been the favourite high performance turntable
for the music loving public, having a beguiling
blend of classically clean looks, high performance
and amazing value for money.
This latest version carries some
new innovative changes in design, which make it
without doubt the highest performance and musical
P3 to date. Just some of the features include
an ultra low mass micro-fibre plinth laminated
with highly rigid phenolic resin laminate.
The Motor
The P3 motor assembly uses the very highest quality
synchronous motor found in turntables five times
the price of the P3! The motor is itself controlled
by Rega's innovative new electronic circuitry,
which results in this already low vibration motor
running almost totally vibration free.
The Platter
The platter is hand crafted from floated plate
glass 15mm in thickness. This makes for a superb
platter material as it has few resonance problems,
is extremely flat and has good mass.
The Tonearm
The P3 carries arguably the most famous tonearm
ever produced, the legendary RB300. This tonearm
will never be found wanting for performance and
will make cartridges work very hard to provide
you with astonishing quantities of musical detail.
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| Linn Sondek LP12
The Linn SONDEK LP12 reference transcription
turntable has been setting the standards by which
others are judged for over 30 years. Each component
of the SONDEK LP12 has been painstakingly developed
to optimise information retrieval, because information
lost at the source is lost forever, regardless
of the amplifier or loudspeaker quality.
The SONDEK LP12 is a very special
turntable; its perfect speed accuracy at 33rpm
and 45rpm, its immunity against acoustical feedback,
its low noise main bearing with mirror finish,
and precision manufacturing, all ensure a pitch
accurate faithful reproduction of the original
source.
The Linn SONDEK LP12 is available
with the Lingo external power supply which offers
low noise oscillators and precision filtering.
The Linn SONDEK LP12 comes in Black Ash, American
Cherry, Rosenut, Maple and Walnut to complement
any interior.
View
the Sondek LP12 Brochure (PDF)
Lingo - Power Supply for Sondek
LP12
The Lingo is a high precision, direct-coupled
LP12 power supply; designed to be sited externally,
alongside the turntable.
- Low noise oscillators
- Precision filtering
- Separate drive for both motor phases
- High isolation from mains supply
- Both 33 & 45 rpm speeds
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Linn Adikt Cartridge
The Adikt is Linn’s newest
moving magnet cartridge giving the audiophile
a cost effective entry into the world of faithful
and accurate vinyl reproduction. Linn's unrivalled
pedigree in the area of vinyl transcription has
resulted in a world-class product capable of a
smooth and extended frequency response.
The Adikt is a cutting edge product
both in terms of design and precision engineering.
It is easily mounted on a wide range of tonearms
and forms the front end of any quality vinyl based
system.
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| Linn Akiva Cartridge
The AKIVA is Linn’s newest
moving coil cartridge. Its design incorporates
a new and advanced magnetic assembly structure
to produce a higher output with noticeably better
tracking and even lower distortion than previous
cartridge products. The integrity of the AKIVA
cartridge design ensures greatly improved signal
transference without loss of vital information
and without any spurious noise from this super-precise,
ultra-linear, direct coupled, moving coil cartridge.
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Linn Klyde Cartridge
A high performance moving-coil cartridge
for superb music retrieval. Features a strong
alloy body to allow secure fixing to the headshell,
sensitive transducer to optimise signal retrieval,
precision suspension cantilever and nude diamond
stylus for long life and minimum surface noise
and gold contacts to protect the music signal.
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| Linn Akito Tonearm
A reliable, Lead in, rigid tonearm
designed to do justice to a wide range of cartridges.
The Akito features an accurate static tracking
and precision-spring bias adjustment to protect
the LP, precision bearings for reliability and
consistent information retrieval, strong headshell
and main tube to provide a stable platform for
the cartridge and an easy to use lift/lower control.
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Linn Ekos Tonearm
A precision tonearm manufactured
to sub-micron tolerances to get the most music
from any cartridge.
The Ekos' temperature-compensated precision-springs
ensure constant tracking and bias forces. With
it's rigid construction, ultra-low friction bearings
and clean room assembly it guarantees performance
and longevity. All key components are machined
from solid to ensure that no unwanted vibration
disturbs the music. The Ekos features low-loss
cable and gold connectors to ensure that no music
signal is lost in transmission to preamplifier,
and an easy to use hydraulic lift/lower device.
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