Avid Turntables

[Rush2112]

Anyone using one with SME V any comments on sound quality etc

[Tarzan]

Yes l used to own the AVID Volvere/SME V/ Lyra Helikon- what would you like to know?:)

[Rush2112]

Hi Andy, thanks for the reply, sound quality, reliability, build quality and why you changed and to what !

Thanks Mark

[take5]

I dont own one, but have a friend who has an Avid. He used an SME 5 with Audio Note I.O. Kondo (J) cartridge.

It sounded fantastic.

He has actually changed out the SME for another arm, not because the SME wasnt good. Just that he got the chance to buy an arm that he lusted over for a very long time.

[Rush2112]

Thanks Brian

[paskinn]

Afraid I haven't owned an Avid either, but I know people who do, and I have heard them plenty of times. They are rather 'SME' like in both design and engineering, but with their own slant on things. I would say that, in general, they are a 'clean' and mildly 'analytic' type of designs. They certainly match well with the SME V, no problem at all. Good, tight, bass, clean open mids, fast and highly detailed. It's not cuddly in any way, no excess warmth at all.
Build quality and general engineering is first rate. If that type of sound suits you, with the SME arm, go for it.

[Spectral Morn]

Avoid the Diva mk1, horrible wee mistake. The deck is badly conceived, flimsy, hard to set up (must be built in situ and can't be moved) and the motor isn't shielded so some carts pick up hum from it.

Volvere and Acutus are good turntables but the sound isn't for me. I haven't heard the most recent creations so can't comment.

SME arms tend to be what's used on them and I would agree with paskinn's description of the presentation.

Regards Neil

[Tarzan]

Chris, did you get my lengthy PM?:)