The first Audio Note tone arms were based on a Rega 250. The 9-inch tonearms are all made out of a single billet of high-grade aluminum by Audio Note and you will see a (/II) designation beside the arms. That said – if you can afford the IQ3 this is the one to get. One interesting thing with the IQ cartridges is that you can simply replace the stylus assembly so that you can buy an IQ3 stylus and attach it to the lower priced IQ1 or IQ2 if you can’t initially afford the IQ3. Having owned the excellent IQ1 – the IQ3 is worth the extra money as it seems to sound more complete and seems to dig into the record better. Unlike the less expensive IQ1 and IQ2, the IQ 3 cantilever is made from titanium and uses Audio Note’s Diamond 2 stylus. The IQ3 is regarded in several quarters as being one of the finest moving magnet cartridges on the market. The IQ3 cartridge is a remarkable moving magnet (MM) cartridge that will see off a lot of MC cartridges and will not require its owners the higher longer term costs associated with moving coil cartridges.Īs this is a turntable system review let’s start with the IQ3 cartridgeĪudio Note UK IQ3 MM Cartridge (Prices: IQ1 $495.00 / IQ2 $705.00 / IQ3 $1030.00) And this is where I have to try and break down the other elements in the turntable chain.
Surface noise has been dramatically reduced and on many albums to zero. The words that crossed my mind, after just a few tracks, was “game changer.” The sound was fast, transparent, and out and out exciting. I had liked the table in auditions at audio shows and at Elephant Holdings (Audio Note’s Hong Kong dealer), but having the ability to audition with my own system and with my music is a different animal. I couldn’t get the grin off my face for the next 5 hours. This is not some Analog Productions high end recording – this is a second hand LP from a second hand bin that I purchased for $2 or so. Putting on Tom Petty’s “Full Moon Fever” the idea was just to play some albums to let the system warm up. There is no audible noise from the seating position or more than about 2-3 feet from the turntable. This is only audible when close to the table. I detect only slight noise from the motors and the physical operation of the unit. With three motors spinning, noise is a concern and the old Voyd Reference wasn’t as quiet as compared to other turntables. There is also a technical argument that multiple pulleys would combat oscillation as effectively as multiple motors, but whether the deck would still possess this beguiling energy is unclear.Turning the TT3 on for the first time I was happy to hear that noise is very low.
There is a pace and energy that the Audio Note has that adds considerably to the performance as a whole. While the twin motor design is specifically intended to combat oscillation, like the multiple motor Voyd designs from the 80s and 90s (which Audio Note went on to build themselves), there is a sense that the twin motors also bring something to the sound as well. Slower and calmer recordings still benefit from this innate timing without sounding forced or hurried. Up tempo recordings are delivered with real urgency and this is underpinned with a tight and potent bass that starts and stops with aplomb and underpins the performance. It manages to sound effortless across a wide variety of music and is possessed of excellent pace and timing.
Sonically, the TT-2 is a muscular and powerful performer. There are many turntables at this price point that offer much more visual drama than the TT-2, but few of them can match it for sheer musical enjoyment. This is a beautifully built and very well thought out design that should work well with a variety of cartridges and turntables. Separate to the entire package, the Arm One is a very welcome addition to the ranks of sub-£1,000 tonearms. You could be one of the most passionate advocates of solid-state imaginable and still find the superb timing and wonderfully open presentation to your liking. While we don’t doubt that this turntable would sound excellent in this context, it works equally well outside of this as well. Due to its very distinctive design, Audio Note equipment can often work best in the context of an all-Audio Note system. “The TT-2 Deluxe is a very fine turntable and one that impressed us considerably.
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