Hello everyone! Welcome to the July blog from Audio T Brighton.

This month, we’re delving a little deeper into our recent turntable events at Audio T Brighton…

Following on from the listening sessions that took us through an upgrade path featuring the Rega Planar 3 with ND3 and ND5 cartridges, the Rega Planar 6 with an ND7, and the Rega Planar 8 with an Ania Pro, we thought it was time to venture into the stratosphere – in turntable terms, at least.

For this session, we compared two very different reference-level systems built around the Linn Klimax LP12 and Rega Naia.

Let’s get into it!

Main System One – Linn Klimax LP12

A system is more than just a turntable, so before describing what we heard, it’s worth looking at the complete record-playing chain.

Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition standmount speakers, supported by a REL S/550 subwoofer

The Linn Klimax LP12 was fitted with an Ekstatik moving-coil cartridge, a built-in Linn Urika MC phono stage and the latest Klimax Radikal 3 motor control and power supply.

Naim’s NAC 332 pre-amplifier, partnered with an NPX 300 power supply and NAP 250 power amplifier, provided the amplification. Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition standmount speakers, supported by a REL S/550 subwoofer, completed the system.

Main System Two – Rega Naia with Aphelion 2

Our second system was built around the Rega Naia, fitted with the Aphelion 2 moving-coil cartridge and partnered with the Rega Aura phono stage.

Supporting the Naia were the recently introduced Rega Mercury pre-amplifier and Solis power amplifier, driving a pair of ATC SCM19 standmount speakers.

Stratospheric comparisons

To say that the two systems sounded different would be something of an understatement.

That doesn’t mean one was necessarily better than the other. The reactions from our audience demonstrated that personal taste, musical preferences and appearance all come into play when choosing equipment at this level.

What was easier to describe was the very different tonal palette offered by each system.

We began with the Linn and Naim system, playing “Re: Stacks” by Bon Iver from the album For Emma, Forever Ago.

This demonstrated the remarkably wide-open window onto the recording that the system provided. One listener said it was the first time he had heard the song sound like this since attending a Bon Iver concert, describing it as though Bon Iver were in the room.

Playing “Point and Kill” by Little Simz showed off the prodigious bass on the recording and highlighted the benefits of adding a properly integrated subwoofer.

Clarity was through the roof, while Linn’s recent upgrade to the Klimax Radikal 3 helped the LP12 front end deliver dazzling dynamics through the Naim amplification.

Ironically, the Little Simz album is called Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, but there was absolutely nothing introverted about the sound!

After a welcome coffee break and an informative chat about the virtues of the system we had just heard, we moved into our other listening room for the Rega system.

Settling into our comfortable red three-seater sofa, we were presented with a completely different sonic palette.

Tones and textures were brought to the fore, with comments including, “This system is a grower,” and, “I think this may be better for long-term listening.”

The more laid-back presentation felt like something of a relief after the more forceful sound of System One.

“Mars, the Bringer of War” from Holst’s The Planets was reproduced in a calm, layered and nuanced manner, rich in microdynamics and subtle detail. It attracted plenty of positive comments from our listeners.

The system didn’t have quite the same slam or macrodynamic impact as System One, but it was wonderfully musical with classical and acoustic recordings. Several listeners felt it could prove the more comfortable choice over longer listening sessions.

Choices, Choices…

Together with our earlier turntable session, our audience found these demonstrations richly rewarding.

Both systems were excellent in their own right, each offering a rewarding musical experience in its own distinctive way. Neither was universally preferred, which only reinforced how personal choosing a hi-fi system can be.

The obvious solution, then, is to buy both systems, place them in different rooms and use each one for different styles of music!

I’m joking, of course. In reality, either choice should only be made after listening for yourself and making use of the professional advice we can offer at Audio T.

Specifications and prices can tell you plenty, but they cannot tell you which presentation you will personally enjoy living with. That is why a proper demonstration remains such an important part of choosing equipment, particularly at this level.

As usual, we recommend booking an appointment to hear the products and systems you are considering before beginning your next hi-fi journey.

Give us a call or pop into Audio T Brighton, and we’ll be happy to help arrange a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Adey, Jake, Kevin and Paul - Audio T Brighton

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