View Full Version : Purite Audio's' Monarch' Turntable
purite audio
23-11-2011, 20:31
We are extremely pleased to have been appointed the London and South dealer for Inspire HiFI's new 'Monarch' direct drive turntable.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb255/coopie_photo/PB231343.jpg
It is a superb looking and sounding turntable, this one has an SME M2-12 and Dynavector cart.
Keith.
Thing Fish
23-11-2011, 20:39
Wow that does look beautiful. Lovely wood and steel combination.
Just had a look on line and have saw a price of...£3,960 without arm.
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 04:29
That platter looks amazingly familiar, at least on the surface, to what Technics (and other Japanese manufacturers) was doing back in the day (just not countersunk).
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t80/steveperez1/CIMG1013.jpg
Ammonite Audio
24-11-2011, 18:52
It's reviewed in the forthcoming issue of HiFi World - one reason to nip into WH Smiths' Lending Library for a bit of light reading (surely nobody would want to buy what is largely a Christmas Awards magazine edition). I would prefer to see it reviewed in HFN where it would be subjected to the full scrutiny of Paul Miller's testing regime, which is certainly more thorough than that of HFW.
It's reviewed in the forthcoming issue of HiFi World - one reason to nip into WH Smiths' Lending Library for a bit of light reading (surely nobody would want to buy what is largely a Christmas Awards magazine edition). I would prefer to see it reviewed in HFN where it would be subjected to the full scrutiny of Paul Miller's testing regime, which is certainly more thorough than that of HFW.
Oh dear not very good suggestion bearing in mind I may have an item in that very edition of Hi-Fi World Hugo, please read through anyway...:)
One needs to listen in one's own system anyway IMO so if PM or DP said it was the dogs b...ox a private demo is the only way to be sure, looks the biz anyway!
I am sure it will sell well.
purite audio
24-11-2011, 21:04
It is essential to hear stuff in your own system , the Monarch is a super table, obviously very similar In many ways to my old SP10 ,but with a really rich tone.
Our second table with have the Dynavector 507 on board.
Keith.
It is essential to hear stuff in your own system , the Monarch is a super table, obviously very similar In many ways to my old SP10 ,but with a really rich tone.
Our second table with have the Dynavector 507 on board.
Keith.
That's a bold statement, pity I may never get to here it unless you are at Bristol in february?
purite audio
24-11-2011, 22:30
Bold not particularly, my Sp10 mark II ,always sounded a little thin and sterile, I had an SME V12 on it, perhaps the plinth wasn't helping, perhaps tha arm/table combinatio ,but in comparison the Monarch has a much more vivid and fulsome sound.
Keith.
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 23:30
Any chance we could see a pic of the underside of the platter and the motor unit? Where is the motor unit sourced?
purite audio
25-11-2011, 16:16
JiFi World have just reviewed the table, there is even a photo with the platter off!
Keith.
Nice one, Keith. Got a pic with the platter on and no record, so we can see a nice loving close-up of the mat??
;) ;)
Marco.
flapland
25-11-2011, 20:26
Review linked from Inspire's website.
http://www.inspirehifi.co.uk/inspirehifi/monarch_files/HFW_Inspire%20Monarch%20Jan12%5B1%5D_2.pdf
Interesting review and another interesting take on what can be done on the 1210 I like the plinth sandwich construction looks smart and nice to see they are following their own path
Just a quick note for the reviewer there are a few manafactures still doing direct Drive TT along with Brinkmann, Grand Prix Audio and Teres but both very expensive
purite audio
25-11-2011, 20:49
Thanks for the link Paul, I have tried a couple of mats on it, but as Rob from Inspire told me, the bare platter sounds best.
I remember preferring the bare copper of my old TW ,anyhoo the New TT is super, just as Rafael says in the review, the speed stability I remember from my old SP10 but a much richer tone.
Keith.
Being more serious, Keith, it looks nice.
It would be very interesting pitching it against my modded Techy, especially with the most recent additions... Are you bringing the Monarch to Scalford? :)
Marco.
purite audio
25-11-2011, 21:41
Marco Hi, could do,maybe privately I wouldn't want to upset anyone being a dealer and all.
KR Keith.
Lol, sure - I understand...
Thing is, with my recent tonearm, cartridge, platter and upgraded PSU purchase, my modded Techy has cost me rather more to date than the Monarch sells for with a less 'exotic' arm and cartridge than shown in the HFW article, so even if it were to 'win', it wouldn't really mean that much!
Anyway, I'll contact you later and we'll arrange something :cool:
Marco.
purite audio
25-11-2011, 22:08
Marco Hi, it would ne interesting, we looked into making a direct drive from 'scratch' a few years back, it all became extremely difficult and expensive ,to use parts from a proven design makes an awful lot of sense.
Just ordered another table in Zebrano, this one will have a Dynavector 507 and XV1-S .
Keith.
Oooh, now that will be something! :eek:
I totally agree with you regarding the building of a quality D/D turntable. One major advantage the Monarch has over exisitng modded SL-1200s, if it's been done properly, and I've no reason to think it hasn't, is the 'over the top' plinth.
The 'sandwich effect' of using different materials with excellent damping qualities, where no one single material's sonic signature dominates the T/T's sonic presentation, is an approach that I've always advocated and admired.
Therefore, given the undoubted excellence of the rest of its constituent parts, I've little doubt that the Monarch will be quite special :)
Marco.
WOStantonCS100
25-11-2011, 23:41
Thanks for the link. I read the review. At it's core, it's a replinthed and modded Technics. And, apparently, it's been done very well and tastefully at that. :thumbsup:
What interests me most is the new quartz chip.
What interests me most is the new quartz chip.
Me too. As far as I know, the techie modifiers to date have more or less left the electronics alone (power supply excepted of course) and have concentrated on the mechanics (bearing, platter, feet etc). Maybe it's this overlooked aspect that may provide the next big performance boost...
Thanks for the link Paul, I have tried a couple of mats on it, but as Rob from Inspire told me, the bare platter sounds best.
I remember preferring the bare copper of my old TW ,anyhoo the New TT is super, just as Rafael says in the review, the speed stability I remember from my old SP10 but a much richer tone.
Keith.
Keith how does it compare with the TW Raven you had.
purite audio
26-11-2011, 11:30
Freem Hi, impossible to say, everything has changed in my system since the TW, only the speakers remain the same and they will change soon,
Re the Monarch, platter plinth, power supply and bearing are all completely new, the control circuit has been improved ,Inspire have done a cracking job.
Keith.
Me too. As far as I know, the techie modifiers to date have more or less left the electronics alone (power supply excepted of course) and have concentrated on the mechanics (bearing, platter, feet etc). Maybe it's this overlooked aspect that may provide the next big performance boost...
How would tinkering with the pcb alter anything kind sir, after all that is all that's left after platter, mat, feet, bearing, base plate etc has been changed?
There is the issue of power supply final regulation stage being installed inside the turntable which may prove to be a significant up-grade which I (and my co-designer) :) are currently on with for my MkII Technics PSU.
WOStantonCS100
26-11-2011, 19:16
How would tinkering with the pcb alter anything kind sir...
Huh? :scratch: Do you mean upgrading components that directly control the rotation of the platter? I look at it this way. You can wear shoes with lots of cushion in them, for a smooth walking experience; or, you can tell your brain to walk lightly and gently. Both would have even more effect. I see changing the power supply as putting on more comfortable shoes. However, if your brain is saying, "Stomp! Stomp!", there's a more fundamental issue. Addressing the control circuit seems, to me, to be getting at the fundamentals. I'm not saying a great psu isn't important. However, if the "real" issue lies in the control circuit, there is only going to be so far one can go. The returns will stop at the limitiations of the control circuit.
Paul Hynes
27-11-2011, 13:01
David,
Internal final regulation stages have already been applied to the SL1200 and yes it can be a significant upgrade depending on the quality level of the regulation that is applied.
Biff,
Quite right. The quality of the control circuit is crucial to the performance of the SL1200, however without a really good power supply the control circuitry will not operate at its best level of performance. The two are reliant on each other. Good control circuitry and poor power supply will give mediocre performance just as poor control circuitry and good power supply will give mediocre performance. Attention to both is essential to go the last mile. Fortunately the control circuit design is good in the SL1200.
Generally,
The SL1200 component quality could have been better so there is a lot of scope for upgrading at component level. The quartz crystal is essentially the clock reference for all the timing requirements of the control circuitry. Fitting a new 4.193MHz crystal with tighter frequency tolerance and lower temperature coefficient should be a good upgrade.
Also components do tend to deteriorate with age, particularly electrolytic capacitors and components operating at high temperatures. If you have an old older SL1200 model it would be sensible to replace certain components, especially electrolytic capacitors, taking the opportunity to upgrade at the same time. Just like servicing a car and tuning the engine for optimum performance.
Regards
Paul
sq225917
29-11-2011, 00:15
Where does Bob get the 'new' 1210 motors from? Do Technics still supply them as complete motor replacement kits like they used to now that they don't make em anymore?
purite audio
29-11-2011, 09:37
Simon H, don't know, but I can ask, when you remove the platter everything looks new an twinkly.
KR Keith.
I read the review on the Inspire Monarch, and it was quite interesting. The review lists these in addition to the Monarch are built on the Technics SL1200:
Timestep Evo
Origin Live (which one?)
and there is also KAB's version. Are there any others doing this?
Brinkmann are one of few other manufacturers who does turntables with Direct Drive motors like the Technics TT's. Anyone checked out these like the Oasis?
http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.php?prod=oasis&lang=en
They also have a power supply using valves:
http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.php?prod=roent&lang=en
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