The Actual Turntable
OK since the other poster just stole my photo, here is the actual turntable. I've changed up the cart to a Grado Master3 now, but still have that nice mint EAT that I rotate in.
The table is an Acoustic Solid Round. The particular one is the wood version (MPX), which is no longer produced. Aesthetics are very individual of course, but I saw this in action at an audio show in Frankfurt way back and just loved everything about it. The combination of wood, metal and leather materials is done well. So when I found one of these with a bit of a discount I traded in my Oracle Orgine (also a fantastic table) and, bought what will certainly be my last table.
It's a 'string drive' system, which is really just a fancy double belt drive. But the motor is electronically controlled giving it accuracy and stability similar to a quartz locked direct drive. Unlike other external motor dives, moving the motor a bit closer or further doesn't impact the speed as the motor adjusts.
With the motor separated, you also get something very very quiet and effectively rumble free, which is the strength of the belt drive system. So the best of both worlds really.
The platter is crafted by hand from a single piece of 60mm thick aluminum. It is very heavy at 14KG. Under that it's set up for arm boards in two locations. So I could put a second arm on this is I wanted. The arm I have here is a Sorane T-A1. Easy to set up with clean anti-skate and counterweight settings.
Start up takes about 7 seconds to lock in the speed. Once locked in WOW consistently measures around 0.03-0.05, which is excellent (the Oracle was around 0.08 for comparison)
When it comes to sound, it's not a whole lot different than the Oracle I had before. The sound difference that I could detect (using the same MI cart) was in the bass which is a bit deeper and better defined. Nothing huge, but you can hear it. Using the same MC cart there is more of a difference, this table seems to be able to get more out of the MC than the Oracle did. Slightly more open, slightly wider sound stage. It's subtle, but it's there.
What IS clearly better is the materials, the stability and the accuracy. It's also much easier to to change up carts and switch speeds. It's quieter in operation, and the isolation is far far better.
We are definitely well into the diminishing returns areas here. From a strictly audio stance, is this 2000 bucks better than the Oracle? - no. In fact, unless you have very very good speakers you may not hear the difference at all. From a technical perspective it is slightly better, but that difference is so subtle it's meaningless to anything but a measuring machine. But at this level it's also about the material, design and overall aesthetics. I love it. My wife loves it. And it sounds great.
But do I think you need to spend this kind of money for a turntable? Absolutely not.
Posted Apr 3, 2026, 4:54 PM UTC