Analog Gear News

Boston-based Andover Audio is all about accessibility and affordability — and their latest SpinBase iteration, the MAX 2, certainly fits that bill in their ongoing bid to bring new/budding enthusiasts into our analog-loving world. Given the feedback we’ve gotten regarding our prior coverage and reviews of And-Aud gear, we see the MAX 2 as being the perfect companion to pair with the company’s SpinDeck 2 turntable — and that’s exactly what we here at AP are in the midst of doing for an upcoming combo-platter test report.

In the meantime, let’s get caught up on the features and specs for the new MAX 2. For one thing, the MAX 2 is said to bring “a new level of sound quality” to the company’s Spin Series with its Acoustic Suspension enclosure design. Like the above-noted SpinBase 2, the SpinBase MAX 2 is built around Andover’s patented IsoGroove technology, which purports to eliminate unwanted feedback to enable any manufacturer’s turntable to be placed directly on top of it without experiencing any degradation in sound quality.

“For the MAX 2, we moved the SpinBase from a vented to a sealed enclosure, to offer a significant improvement in bass quality,” explains Bob Hazelwood, Andover’s Director of Engineering and Product, in a press statement. “Although the MAX 2 does play louder than the previous version, our goal was to also deliver more apparent detail and better tonality. The design also offers a more gradual low-frequency rolloff, with the benefit of richer, more extended bass. Overall, I’d say the SpinBase MAX 2 has a more refined sound, with greater neutrality and a more extended frequency range.”

As noted at the outset, the MAX 2 is made for prime pairing with the SpinDeck2 (which we initially reported on here), so let’s get a brief refresher about that table before we go any further. The SpinDeck 2 offers electronic speed control and end-of-the-record automatic shut-off and arm return. Lifting the tonearm from the armrest starts the platter, while returning the tonearm stops it. That aluminum arm features a fully adjustable counterweight and standard 0.5in cartridge-mounting system, enabling substitutions for virtually any cartridge of your choice (that said, an Audio-Technica AT3600 magnetic phono cart, seen below, comes pre-installed).

The SpinDeck 2 also boasts a sturdy MDF plinth — available in either black or white — along with soft rubber vibration isolating feet and a built-in RIAA phono preamp, again making it compatible with virtually any system. The preamp may be bypassed for use with — you guessed it — the SpinBase MAX 2.

Speaking of that table’s combo partner, let’s get back to the MAX 2! The SpinBase MAX 2’s new Acoustic Suspension enclosure houses six drive-units — two 0.75in silk-dome tweeters and four 3.5in woofers, intended for “precise, detailed” bass reproduction. This new driver array is said to be able to reproduce a wide dynamic range, “delivering punchy bass and crisp highs.” Like the original SpinBase, the SpinBase MAX 2 also offers a 270-degree panoramic soundstage.

The SpinBase MAX 2’s Dual Direct-Drive Class D amplifier stage features separate amps for the woofers and tweeters. The MAX 2’s wide range of connectivity options is designed to make it easy to integrate and work effortlessly with turntables and other audio sources. I/O connectors include phono and line (aux) inputs, an Optical Digital input, USB flash-drive playback, a subwoofer output, and a headphone output.

The SpinBase MAX 2 has separate chips for two-way Bluetooth connection. This design is said to provide a more stable connection so that BT headphones will remain paired regardless of input. Meanwhile, the supplied IR remote can be used to adjust volume, switch inputs, and fine-tune bass and treble settings from anywhere in the room.

The MAX 2 mirrors the appearance of original SpinBase series model with its heathered fabric wrap and main control knob, and the unit comes in either a black or white finish (the latter of which is seen above), akin to the companion SpinDeck2’s finish options. The MAX 2’s dimensions are 18 x 4.25 x 13.5in (w/h/d).

Finally, the Andover Audio SpinBase MAX 2 speaker system sports an SRP of $549, while its logical companion SpinDeck 2 turntable is $329. And, as mentioned at the top of this post, we will be testing an AndAud Base/Deck combo soon here on AP, so stay tuned!

For more about Andover Audio, go here.
To order the Andover Audio SpinBase MAX 2 directly, go here.
To order the Andover Audio SpinDeck2 directly, go here.