2. analog
  3. 131874-71914

A battle between two turntable generations. Which one is the winner?

Being an electronic and acoustic enginner, I've worked for well renowned Companies in Germany, that led me to listen to all kind of analog equipments, from turntables to tonearms, cartridges... I love the analog sound!

While I've had the EMT 927 and 930, the SP-10 of all versions, VPI's, Thorens, etc... I ended with my reliable Garrard 301, that I bought brand new in London, England. Believe me, a well engineered plinth for the Garrard 301 transforms the 301 in an outstanding turntable.

Time passed and my beloved Fidelity Research FR-66 SS tonearm was substitued for the magnificent (and a bargain!) Trans-Fi Terminator (best linear tracking tonearm I've experienced). When I felt that it was time to change the Garrard 301 for a new one and based on the positive reviews, I emailed Bruce McDougall, the designer and owner of ANVIL turntables to quote a turntable that could suit the Terminator Tonearm. (Linear tracking tonearms need a VERY stable plinth to perform at best) because I would like to compare the Garrard with a contemporary turntable without breaking the bank.

The ANVIL comes complete (you can name it "turbinated") with adjustable motor board (adjustable string tension), adjustable arm board, the new bearing model and the proprietary magnetic levitated footers.

To make real comparisions, the only thing that I changed was the Garrard 301. Victor Patacchiola's tonearm (Terminator), Audio-Technica AT50ANV Limited Edition (the most natural cartridge ever!) and Steven Huang's Audio Sensibility Impact SE phono cable remained the same.

The main LP that I used (and accostumed with it, too) is a fabulous recording of Switzerland's vocal jazz "BRIGITTE BADER MEETS JOHNNY GRIFFIN", very very rare limited edition by ARS of Germany. Many japanese audiophiles that I know use this recording to "tune" their systems. If you come across this LP, please buy it! This is an all analogue recording made with purist techniques and direct recorded on a Studer B67 recorder.

Although the Garrard + Terminator show their positive potential on track 3, "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON", (oh) boy!... the Anvil + Terminator is in a different league: it transformed the already perfect soundstage in an outstanding presentation. All the authoritative bass present in the Garrard (probably due to idler wheel drive??) stay there, but with tonal nuances never heard before. The Anvil is unbelievable quiet with perfect speed stability . Certainly the new bearing and a massive platter contributes for a clarity on complex passages that I have not ever experienced before. At $3700.00 (the price that I paid for the Anvil "turbinated with accessories") is a bargain if compared with some turntables that uses plastic, MDF (oh my God!) and other "fancy" materials. The Anvil is of all metal construction and is HEAVY (about 60lbs) and certainly this contributes for the supreme results.

I'm not affiliate with ANY companies mentioned in this review. I'm just a passionate audiophile searching for the best and this combination made my ears smiling!

Would you like to share with me, fellow Audiogon members, your impressions and thoughs about your phono system? Cheers!, Jose.
ultima700
13blm's avatar
13blm
47 posts
 
Let me chime in here before things go sideways.  Ultima 700 asked if I would mind a consumer review, which of course I agreed to.  I had know idea what the result would be until it was published.  Furthermore, I can only produce these in limited numbers so I am never a threat to my competitors, nor is this a get rich endeaver for me.  As much as possible I try to be an honest broker for my ideas.  I was quite nervous shipping the table to 700.  I was aware of his extensive experience and any flaws on my end would potentially be magnified through his lens.  Having said that I designed my tuntable to have the punch of an idler, the stability of a direct drive and the quiet of a belt drive.  Lewm, as far as stability is concerned it is not unusual for my decks to measure .01 W&F, bettering some direct drives.  This figure was confirmed by Michael Fremer on one of the worst turntables I ever produced.  Frankly, I am much less concerned about W&F as I used to be as there are several other paremeters that influence sound to a FAR greater degree.  Regarding value there is nothing that can compete with my turntable at anywhere near the price.  I have inserted my table into systems with 15K decks and handily outpointed them  It isnt unusual for the Anvil to be superior in every way from deep bass though treble.  If you look at my materials and engineering choices, not to mention ease of set up ( for example on the fly adjustments to go between different null point geometries in seconds ) you can see that "on paper" it is a rather unique design.  There is some secret sauce in the design too. I have pretty much flown under the radar for about 8 years but figured this might be an opportunity to tell enthusiasts what I REALLY think, LOL.

Regards,

Bruce

jperry
1,408 posts
 
Bruce,

Thanks for the clarification. A good review and an interesting turntable.

One question. With regard to speed stability, have you tested it using a Timeline?
http://sutherlandengineering.com/products/timeline/

Best Regards,

Jim Perry

13blm's avatar
13blm
47 posts
 
Feickert Pro software. 
ultima700 OP
5 posts
 
totem395, thanks for sending the message. As I told before, I learned with my fellow colleagues from Japan, in special engineers from Matsushita and Tokyo Shibaura (Toshiba) how to measure  main parameters in turntables. I will not going deeply here, but I use high reliable Meguro Instruments along with 100% perfectly centered LPs specially made for that companies, all of them made in Japan.
13blm's avatar
13blm
47 posts
 
Again, I feel wow and flutter and drift contribution to excellent sound isnt as great as many believe, provided the figures are in a reasonably low range.  Shopping for a table with the goal of lowest wow as the main criteria overshadows other important aspects.
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