The New Horizon 201 MKII turntable is getting a facelift. It is the second model in the Italian manufacturer's range to feature the new arm designed and manufactured. It offers simple functions and a refined design to meet audiophile requirements, all at a very affordable price.
NEW HORIZON 201 MKII : PLINTH
The New Horizon 201 MKII is proposed with a 25 mm MDF plinth, covered with melamine in black or white finish. It rests on 4 new specific legs (5030 RD) designed to be as free as possible from the vibrations of the support.
The traditional plinth is made original by a half-moon shaped defence on the front, which seems to be the manufacturer's trademark. It can be found on all New Horizon products.
NEW HORIZON 201 MKII: ARM AND PHONO CARTRIDGE
The NH95 9" arm is aluminium/nylon. It is entirely designed and manufactured by New Horizon in Italy. It is simple but highly efficient due to its precision machining.
As standard, it is accompanied by an Audio Technica AT 91R MM cartridge. One can only regret that the phono cartridge is not up to the standard of the turntable. However, it's not that serious... just replace it!
NEW HORIZON 201 MKII: PLATTER AND DRIVE
The 20 mm thick methacrylate platter weighing 1.7 kg is driven by an external, extra-fine silicone belt.
The AC/24v synchronous motor is isolated from the turntable so that no vibration or noise is generated in the platter or arm.
The drive shaft is precision machined from milled aluminium. It rests on a ¼ inch steel ball on the top of the pivot. It ensures a frictionless and therefore perfectly silent rotation.
NEW HORIZON 201 MKII: PHONO CABLE AND COVER
As with all the vinyl turntables in the range, the phono cable is not captive and can therefore be replaced in time by a more ambitious model. The female RCA connectors and the ground terminal of the turntable are of excellent quality and gold-plated.
The New Horizon 201 MKII comes with a high quality methacrylate dust cover. This is simply placed on the turntable and locked in place via 2 slots. This makes it possible to do without the traditional hinges.
NEW HORIZON 201 MKII: TESTING AND LISTENING
As soon as the New Horizon 201 MKII comes out of its packaging, we are seduced by the design of this small turntable. Assembling it, we quickly realise that the designers have really tried to optimise the product, while trying to offer the best quality/price/performance ratio.
The manufacturing is excellent and breathes the healthy "Made in Italy"!
The solutions adopted to avoid vibrations are particularly effective. It is worth noting that they are rarely (if ever) optimised in this price range. These specificities really help to get the most out of the arm.
The 201 MKII extracts the maximum amount of information from the groove while maintaining dynamics and swing. The timbres are realistic and the soundstage is very wide and ample for a product of this range.
This New Horizon 201 MKII turntable offers a beautiful musicality and a very successful design. It is a nice alternative to the traditional Rega and Pro-Ject... We were also seduced by the Italian manufacturing.
To be recommended
FranckPrinciple: rigid vinyl turntable
Plinth: single MDF
Arm: NH95 9'' aluminium/nylon
Cartridge: MM Audio Technica AT-91R
Drive: external silicon belt
Motor: AC synchronous, suspended
Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 rpm
Platter: 20 mm methacrylate / 1.7 kg
Output: RCA
Cable: phono
Cover: methacrylic dust cover
Feet: adjustable Feet 5030RD
Power supply: external 24VAC / 500mA
Dimension: 450 x 365 x 110 mm
Weight : 6.5 kg
