So, today, 1st March 2017, I fitted my brand new Origin Live tonearm to my secondhand Nottingham Analogue Interspace deck. The fitting took about two and a half hours and was a bit of a pain but I got there in the end. Everything is tight and rigid so I decided to play some vinyl.
Dire Straits 'White' album
Compared to the old Rega RB250 things are very different. First and most obvious, the sound is much leaner and clearer and maybe thinner. Everything starts and stops better with way more precision. David Knopfler's rhythm guitar for example is much more obvious in the mix and much more up front while Mark Knopfler's Start is just so sharp, cutting and clinical. High frequencies are very precise but not overly exaggerated. Sounding really good so far.
Ghostpoet 'Shedding Skin' album
OK so the Dire Straits 'White' album is very dated in terms of recording whereas this album is bang up to date. Bass frequencies are very low but restrained. When they are presented they are played but are as said, quite restrained. So, no forward dance club banging bass then but I think quite sensible. My KEF's are not known for a powerful, forward bass so I guess there is an element of this here. However, the RB250 was much more prominent in the bass.
Is it worth £450 plus £85 for the better cable over the RB250...?
Well, there is a clear difference but whether it is obviously better or not depends on your requirements I guess. I have now spent the money and have to say I am not confidently overjoyed with the results but it will be staying.
A damn fine piece of micro engineering.