The Blue is beloved for a cause, and it sounds fabulous, with spectacular readability, stereo spacing, and total instrumental definition. I used to be smitten with it taking part in by means of my reference 2.1 setup, together with a pair of KEF LSX audio system (9/10 WIRED Recommends) and an SVS 3000 Micro sub. You’ll most likely solely wish to improve to the Bronze for those who’ve acquired a reasonably high-end setup.
The different elements are, for essentially the most half, designed to get out of the best way of the cartridge and stylus, permitting for pristine sound transference to your system.
The largest piece of that equation is the brand new, house-built OA3 Pro tonearm. It’s a single piece molded from magnesium—a cloth that’s recognized for its energy, mild weight, and wonderful sound damping, and it’s touted to be 10 instances quieter than aluminum. You’ll see magnesium tonearms on loads of different turntables at this value and far greater. Apart from its sonic properties, the OA3 seems to be cool and feels luxe whenever you drop it on a file.
The dual-speed motor is designed for nearly silent operation, with a controller the corporate claims can regulate the file velocity as much as 30,000 instances per second for correct playback. Even the aluminum toes are primed for max quiet whereas additionally making it easy to regulate the plinth for a good trip on a number of surfaces. To take a look at its mettle, I set the desk instantly on the file stand, slightly than my elevated desk, and I solely famous a few skips throughout playback.
If you don’t have a separate phono preamp and your amp lacks one, you possibly can add U-Turn’s Pluto 2 built-in for an additional $70. That’s a deal, contemplating you’ll pay $100 for the Pluto 2 as an outboard pre. It’s easy to make use of with the press of a swap, although it’s a bit awkward to achieve.
Coming to Life
I began my Orbit Theory audition with a brand new file I’d but to drag out of the plastic: Absolute Loser by Fruit Bats. One of the indicators of a real audiophile expertise is a sensation that extends past the ears. By the time the stylus made its approach to the title monitor, I had goosebumps and an enormous previous grin.
I did discover some additional brightness with my Rolls VP29 preamp, and I discovered a bit extra heat within the Theory’s built-in Pluto 2. I ended up utilizing the latter for almost all of my listening classes. Neither one is prone to get the perfect out of the Theory, and as with all hyperlink on this chain, you’ll do higher with higher-quality elements. If your amp has a built-in pre, you could wish to do some sound comparisons to choose your favourite (simply don’t use each directly).
Moving by means of a few of my favourite vinyl, from Magical Mystery Tour to American Beauty and Elton John’s Tumbleweed Connection, I discovered myself taking copious notes because the music leaped out of the audio system and into my lounge with an virtually dwell presence. The Beatles’ Mystery Tour appeared to blow up off the disc, reducing double vocals with crystalline precision, melting analog synthesizers in psychedelic flames, and pushing forth heat and crunchy horns and mournful cellos that appeared to vibrate in my chest.
