We will close this purchase guide covering best-selling turntables in 2014 with a selection of turntables for a budget over €2,000. To guarantee the best service for our customers, prior to shipment, a specialist technician will check, set up and test each turntable so that it arrives all ready to use.
We are now entering the very high end realm. This selection offers highly demanding turntables that require a very good system, for a highly refined sound. Take a look at maPlatine.com's all-time favourites!
Pro-Ject turntables
Following the success of the X-Tension 12 turntable, Pro-Ject has released a more affordable version with the X-Tension 10 Evo turntable. This turntable differs from its big sister with its tonearm, the amazing 10CC Evolution tonearm. On playback, the vocals are amazing, vibrant and perfectly in place. The transparency is great, the sound quality is suave and very rich. The X-Tension 10 Evo is the ideal product for record lovers.
Whilst retaining the expertise and technology in use for very high end products, Pro-Ject has released the new Signature 10 turntable that is almost twice as cheap than the brand's flagship product, the Signature 12. This turntable is amazing in every aspect, in terms of design, ergonomics and musicality. Pro-Ject has moved on from exclusively entry level products and is now entering the high end segment. And we recommend it!
When talking about the Austrian company's flagship product, the Signature 12 turntable, it is actually evidence of the expertise gained by Pro-Ject over 25 years. Every part of this turntable was optimally designed. Also, it comes with an array of accessories (level, digital scales, protractor, etc.) and certainly deserves a high end cartridge, such as a great Ortofon MC cartridge. It can no doubt compete with a number of US and German references!
Rega turntables
The Rega RP8 turntable is the British manufacturer's latest high end turntable model that will please the most demanding music lovers out there. The plinth design is radically different to what Rega has been developing in the past 40 years. It is made up of two interlocked parts. The turntable has another surprise in store, and that's the RB 808 tonearm, which has outstanding precision and tracks the groove perfectly. The dynamic range and swing from this turntable took us by surprise right from the start, its dynamism and rich timbre make it a versatile product. The RP8 turntable represents the manufacturer's expertise and is one of the best choices within this range. With its unique design, the turntable actually won the prestigious Diapason d’Or award. We highly recommended it!
After the RP8 model, Rega is still looking to upgrade with the RP10 turntable! Although it is very similar to its younger sister, it is actually quite different and its development took 3 years. The innovation of this turntable is the RB 2000 tonearm, hand assembled by a skilled technician, combining the stiffest and most neutral materials, so much so that, in Rega's own words "even a machine can't detect any flaws". Few record players in this range are a match in terms of the presence and authenticity of the vocals, strings and brass sections. And the icing on the cake, it won the 2014 Diapason d’Or award!
Clearaudio turntables
The Clearaudio Emotion SE MKII turntable is the latest variant of the Clearaudio Emotion SE turntable and uses most of the technical and design elements that made it a success: acrylic plinth and platter that give it an innovative design, manual speed change switch...The new feature is the Carbon Satisfy tonearm, associated with a Clearaudio cartridge. This turntable is beautifully built with a fairly simple design. This Clearaudio Emotion SE MKII is quite simply a success and a benchmark.
Clearaudio's latest turntable, the Performance DC turntable is based on the technology and innovations developed by the manufacturer. It is fitted with the brand's beautiful Clarify carbon tonearm and a Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 MM cartridge. This turntable is a beauty and features a wide and precise sound stage, both in width and depth. Also, this turntable seems to agree with all musical styles. An indisputable success that we can only recommend!
VPI turntables
After years of (well deserved) success with the Scoutmaster, VPI now presents an upgrade to its best-selling product with the Scoutmaster II turntable. The platter and tonearm are free from vibration and the tonearm is compatible with most MC cartridges. For this turntable, VPI has used the Classic's platter. The plinth is coated with a satin-finished black paint for true class. One of the manufacturer's best record players!
Transrotor turntables
For over 30 years, Transrotor has continuously endeavoured to improve its manufacturing processes and the quality of its products. Today the German manufacturer is a global benchmark in high end turntables, as evidenced by the outstanding achievements: the ZET-1 and Darkstar.
Without mentioning their distinctive design, all Transrotor turntables are to be reckoned with. The ZET-1 is very easy to use and the sound reproduction is clearly designed to capture the physical and rhythmic side of the music. The sound stage is simply amazing. As for the Darkstar, the timbres are very rich and authentic. These are without a doubt very high end analogue systems. These record players combine precision and balance. They are superb on all accounts: design, musicality, versatility… Highly recommended!
McIntosh turntables
'Live your music'! Since 1949, McIntosh has defined sound quality and is still very much the absolute benchmark in terms of performance, reliability and service.
The McIntosh MT-10 turntable proudly sports the brand's standards and we love it: front panel, VU meter, button, distinctive colour, it has it all! The Hi-Fi cartridge that comes with it is excellent, making the whole system consistent. The listening quality is on par with what you could expect from a McIntosh product: a superb bass, a beautiful sound stage, an amazing dynamic range, great detail and precision. This unique object is for aficionados of the brand and future fans alike.
