Turntable Reviews

The Dr. Feickert Analogue Volare 25 25th Anniversary Limited Edition turntable — a.k.a. the Volare 25 — was designed and manufactured in Germany by Dr. Christian Feickert and crew. It builds upon the company’s original Volare model with a significant tonearm upgrade, a new low-friction bearing, a second motor, and more. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see how the Volare 25 stacks up. . .

When you take a closer look at the lineup of gear available from Austrian manufacturer European Audio Team — perhaps better known by their more precise acronym, E.A.T. — you’ll find beautiful electro-mechanical designs reflected in graceful lines, unusual exterior choices, and well-appointed materials. Read Ken Micallef’s review to find out if E.A.T.’s latest offering, the C-Dur turntable, is able to match natural, nuanced, and detailed sound with the company’s equally outstanding design acumen. . .

Whenever we talk to newbies about turntables, the Canadian brand Fluance inevitably comes up. Founded in 1999 by Deepak Jain in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Fluance has carved out a smart niche for the uninitiated — i.e., those who simply want an affordable, no-fuss entry into vinyl enjoyment. Fluance take analog playback seriously, as witnessed by their latest offering, the RT82 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl turntable. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see if the RT82 punches above its weight class. . .

We’ve long dreamt about a true mid-fi revolution wherein affordable gear can perform at a top-tier level — and, as if right on cue, the Gold Note T-5 turntable arrived for a hands-on evaluation. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see how and why the T-5 consistently delivers great sound well above its price point. . .

The JBL Spinner BT turntable may very well be among the least expensive tables ever to land a review on AP. Belt-driven and built around a black MDF plinth, the Spinner BT sports a die-cast aluminum tonearm with removable headshell, adjustable counterweight, and adjustable anti-skating — features you don’t always find at its price point. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see if the Spinner BT table is able to punch well above its weight. . .