The Cambridge Audio Alva ST turntable is not the manufacturer’s first step in the analogue world, since they had already offered a turntable some years ago.
This new turntable now embodies Cambridge Audio’s entry-level while providing high-performance level without being a loss leader product.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: PLINTH
The Alva ST has a rather conventional appearance. Nonetheless, its weight and rigidity are safe bets.
It’s finished with a superb lunar-grey aluminium top plate of same quality as the front panels of the Alva range products. The chassis is made of high-density MDF.
The total weight is 9 kg.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: PLATTER AND DRIVE PRINCIPLE
The platter is made of die-cast aluminium which offers excellent density and sufficient weight to ensure great inertia while spinning.
The designers of the Cambridge Audio Alva ST decided to use a belt drive supplemented with electronic motor speed control. Rotation speed selection is made by two neat electronic buttons (33 and 45 rpm) on the Alva ST’s aluminium top surface.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: TONEARM AND PHONO CARTRIDGE
The Cambridge Audio Alva ST features a new 9” tonearm.
After hours of testing, Cambridge Audio engineers selected a new high effective mass and low-resonance tonearm for this model. By minimising resonant frequencies, it helps retrieve the maximum detail from your records.
The detachable die-cast aluminium headshell is coupled to an Audio Technica ATT95e cartridge.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: BUILT-IN PREAMPLIFIER
The built-in phono preamplifier was custom-made specifically for the Alva. It’s based on the Alva Solo and Duo Phono. It’s only MM (moving magnet) compatible, but it can be disabled if you wish to use a separate phono preamplifier or one found inside an amplifier.
The preamplifier is associated with a Bluetooth aptX HD converter. Music can thus be streamed from the Alva ST to any high-definition Bluetooth receivers at up to 24 bit/48 kHz.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: SETUP
Despite requiring a precise phono cartridge and tonearm adjustment, setting up this turntable is really easy.
You only need to connect it to your amplifier’s Aux or Line phono input, or connecting via Bluetooth if this is the only option available. The Bluetooth connection on this turntable is surely the best one available among all manufacturers.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST: TESTING AND LISTENING
The Cambridge Audio Alva ST is undoubtedly the only quality turntable to feature a very high-quality Bluetooth transmitter. However, the wired connection remains, as always, much superior on all aspects.
The reproduction is excellent and can be drastically upgraded with a better cartridge afterwards. Yet, the standard installation still provides excellent results in terms of definition, dynamics and nuance. The overall balance tends towards neutrality and transparency.
Even though this turntable allows BT connection (digital), it offers a true analogue reproduction in the best sense of the term. The design and handcraft realised in London are a real plus in terms of finishing and reliability.
Would recommend!
Franck
