Turntable - Inspire Hifi

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Idler-drive turntable with mechanical speed control Made by: Inspire Hi-Fi Ltd, Derbyshire Supplied by: Inspire Hi-Fi Ltd Telephone: 01246 472222 Web: www.inspirehifi.co.uk TURNTABLE Inspire Hi-Fi Enigma (£2130) Inspire Hi-Fi is aiming to repeat the success of its Technics-based Monarch turntable by resurrecting an idler-driven classic to form the basis of a new model, the Enigma Review: Adam Smith Lab: Paul Miller W hereas the belt-drive versus direct-drive debate has been running for many years, it is only relatively recently that the discussion has taken a new turn, as the world once more starts to re-embrace idler-drive. After all, it was felt by many that this was a best forgotten technology, and mention of it merely served to awaken dormant memories of huge mono transcription units of the 1950s with tracking weights well into double figures, or lightweight rumble-prone autochangers that did your records no favours at all. While British audiophiles were embracing belt-drive, the Japanese devotion to the UK’s Garrard 301 and 401 models finally made people realise that a seemingly out-moded drive system has many merits when properly implemented. Unfortunately, the problem faced by a turntable manufacturer today is the same as that of the potential direct-drive developer: tooling-up for a new design would be prohibitively expensive because of the relatively low production numbers. Oswalds Mill Audio in the States has a Lenco-based deck, the Anatase, but has also taken a ‘hang the expense’ approach with its Saskia idler turntable, built from scratch and phenomenally expensive: idler decks by their very nature require heavy platters, solid mechanical linkages and a sturdy motor – the 24V DC item found in many a belt-drive simply wouldn’t be up to the task. Whittlebury Show, its new deck is called the Enigma and it comes in a range of fine paint finishes – currently, red (as here), blue and black are available. One of the most enduringly popular turntable units through the 1970s, the GL75 – in 1968, £5.15s. 5d in chassis form with arm! – quickly became established as a competent performer that won over buyers with its simplicity and fine build quality. As a result, Inspire Hi-Fi has made good use of another classic with a long production run and has felt the need to do comparatively little to the deck’s basic mechanical componentry in order to extract its maximum replay potential. So, what does your £2130 (if you take up Inspire’s introductory offer, valid until Mar ’13 but £2500 thereafter) buy you? The basis of the deck is a torque-y 240V synchronous AC motor which lies on its side under the deck plate. The rotor of this is a single piece cone-shaped item over TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE Once again, though, Inspire Hi-Fi has stepped up to the challenge of providing a more affordable solution and, as with its Technics SL1200-based Monarch flagship [HFN Oct ’12], has chosen to use a plentiful classic design, the evergreen Goldring Lenco GL75, as the basis for its new vinyl spinner. Launched at the September RIGHT: Removing the alloy platter reveals Inspire’s fully re-conditioned idler drive wheel (top left), motor, bearing and clutch mechanics from the Goldring Lenco GL75 donor chassis REPRODUCED FROM HI-FI NEWS | www.hifinews.co.uk 2in long. Drive is taken directly from this to a vertical idler wheel that runs on the underside of the platter. FINE TUNING OF SPEEDS The arrangement gives rise to the deck’s most versatile feature: that of continuously variable speed from 16rpm to 80rpm. The speed lever slides in a slot alongside the platter to locate in four movable detents that each have their own fixing screw – loosen this, set the lever in the slot and move both together until the desired speed is reached, then tighten the screw. Repeat and you have your four nominal speeds of 16, 33.3, 45 and 78rpm set, which is a neat arrangement but can be prone to drifting, especially if the deck is moved. Certainly the 33.3rpm position of the review sample had to be re-set both when the deck arrived for measurement, and then subsequently for auditioning [see PM’s Lab Report, p37]. So, Inspire strips the donor deck, re-sprays the top-plate in a very smart metallic finish, as described, before servicing the motor and bearing thoroughly and re-assembling with a sprinkling of brand new parts. All mechanical items are checked and re-machined as necessary and the platter is polished to a mirror finish. The old arm is removed and the deck’s top-plate cut out to accept a new armmounting plate that can be configured for any 9in template the customer likes. This also addresses an important weakness of the original when it came to making tonearm changes: namely, that the platter level is very low, making appropriate arm height setting difficult – most arm pillars are simply too tall, even on their lowest settings. Finally, an Inspire ACRI mat and Puka record weight are added and this is all popped into a beautifully finished solid wood plinth that can be veneered to the customer’s requirements, be these a traditional wood appearance or something glossier. Should a 12inch arm be required, or even multiple arms, Inspire can provide a suitably larger plinth with mountings set on it accordingly. The quoted price of the deck is without arm, but Inspire can also arrange pre-fitment of a wide range of models before delivery. ILLUMINATING EXPERIENCE The review sample was supplied with an SME M2-9 and Ortofon Cadenza Red MC, and the deck was inserted into my reference system alongside my Michell Gyro SE. I used an Atacama Equinox Celebration LE rack, which allows adjustable shelf levelling – although the Enigma’s sturdy plinth and sorbothane feet mean that it is tolerant of the surface on which it is placed, it has no levelling facility of its own. I also had to hand my own Garrard 301, dating from 1964 and currently residing in a heavy multi-layered wood plinth, very similar to that of the Enigma. ABOVE: Chunky controls add a pleasing sense of solidity to the Enigma’s operation but the speed change lever can be prone to drifting out of alignment and should be checked regularly Is it, then, as good as a Garrard, as Inspire has suggested? With the SME and Ortofon later transplanted to my 301, I have to say that I was surprised at just how well the Enigma compared to Swindon’s finest, offering a touch more fluidity and litheness to the upper midrange and treble. However, it falls short of the sheer power, impact and almost instantaneous start and stop that the Garrard gives a bass line. Don’t misunderstand me: the Enigma is good in this respect, very good in fact. And unless you too have owned a Garrard for the best part of 25 years, it’s likely you wouldn’t notice… Listening to a deck like the Enigma for the first time can be an illuminating experience for many people, as the overall tonal balance of an idler-drive deck is often quite different from that of a belt-drive. A perfect example was found on the eponymous title track from Beth Hart’s album Bang Bang Boom Boom [Provogue PR7393-1]. Each section of the rhythm behind this track ends in two low piano notes and, whereas I am used to the first, slightly higher frequency one, being emphasised by the Gyro SE, the Enigma clearly picked out the second, lower note each time it was played. It is for a good reason that idlers are so favoured by the bass-loving fraternity as they really do dig deeper and the Enigma showcased this to great effect. With all the tracks that I chose to play that featured a firm underpinning bass ‘Idlers really do dig deeper, as Inspire’s Enigma showed to effect’ LENCO DONOR The Goldring Lenco GL75 was introduced in 1967 as a range-topping design and marked the first instance of the ‘heavy platter’ Lenco models. The deck used a higher quality bearing and idler wheel, a thinner but heavier platter and it was fitted with the new, higher quality L75 tonearm. The GL78 model followed later, adding a lighter headshell and an auto-stop facility, and this was also the inspiration for the G88 and G99 models, which were motor units only and required fitment into a plinth, exactly like the Garrard 301 and 401 [see HFN Jul ’10]. The drive system of the Lenco is well engineered and robust, and the deck was chosen for use by a wide variety of companies in badge-engineered turntable units and high-end music centres. This means the GL75 and its variants are very plentiful so, once again, Inspire Hi-Fi has chosen its donor wisely. As standard, the GL75 is a competent performer that can perform well, once the inevitably worn ‘V-block’ bearing seats on the arm are replaced, but it is the arm that is the deck’s weakest point. G88s and G99s make more sense in this respect but struggle to match the performance or reputation of the mighty Garrards. www.hifinews.co.uk | REPRODUCED FROM HI-FI NEWS LAB REPORT INSPIRE ENIGMA (£2130) ABOVE: The new IEC mains inlet at the rear is a wise step, as the operation of the suspended motor can be adversely affected by poor power cable dressing line, the Inspire made everything seem more solid and better anchored within the soundstage – although this was one admittedly narrower than I am used to from the Gyro. Nevertheless the Enigma set up a fine sense of front-to-back spaciousness around a firm central image and gave performers plenty of space to work in as they played. The underlying pace of the music was very well captured by the deck, too, and it worked perfectly to counteract the slightly hesitant bass that the otherwise superb SME M2-9 tends to exhibit. PULLING OUT THE DETAILS Higher up the frequency range, I found that the Enigma has a pleasingly neutral character. The real strength of the M2-9 for me is its gloriously velvety midband and sweet treble and the Inspire Enigma let this through beautifully. Charley and Hattie Webb’s vocals on the track ‘If It Be Your Will’, taken from the Webb Sisters’ new album Savages [Diverse Records DIV036LP] sounded highly emotional, and the slightly tremulous undertones rang out beautifully to fully realise the event. Equally, the orchestral backing arrangement was subtle yet vivid, despite its being tucked away at the back of the performance. Throughout my time with the Enigma I found it to excel at pulling the minutiae from the depths of LP recordings: nothing was missed. Despite this alluring performance, the underlying nature of the deck meant I found it difficult to move away from anything rhythmical for too long and so next under the stylus was the 12in single of ‘The Crown’ by Gary Byrd and the GB Experience [Motown TMGT 1312]. The Enigma once again cheerfully hit top gear: it lapped up the bass line with enthusiasm, laying the track out in all its funky glory. Working my way steadily through more material like this, it seemed to me that the Enigma pulls off the old idler trick of making records seem just that little bit louder than before. But its rhythmical alacrity sometimes made me wonder whether it was running a little fast too. It wasn’t – I double-checked! This sonic character therefore would put the Enigma right at the top of a potential shopping list if low-end action is your main thing, but I continued to be impressed by the way in which the Inspire deck will turn its hand cheerfully to absolutely anything you care to throw at it. The bass surefootedness worked a treat when it came to thunderous orchestral material, allowing enthusiastically pounded timpani to crash around my listening room with great verve. Equally, though, its fine detail retrieval meant that softer acoustic material sounded lifelike and natural, without any signs of artificiality or unnecessary embellishment. Comfortable with all kinds of source material then, the Enigma comes across as a neutral and stable platform for your chosen arm and pick-up cartridge. Every product is lab tested before review in Hi-Fi News, not only to ensure it’s worth featuring but also to offer some last-minute fettling where required. Turntables with adjustable speed are a perfect example as I’m able to fine-tune 33.3/45rpm options more effectively with a precision spectrum analyser than a reviewer (or manufacturer) with strobe and lamp. This Enigma deck was supplied with the cavaet that its mechanical adjustment may have drifted during transit, but the –9% speed error recorded on setup demonstrated ‘drift’ on a continental scale! Significant mechanical adjustment was required before a mere +0.35% speed error was realised prior to Adam’s review. This is reflected in the slight right-hand shift from centre of the wow and flutter plot [see Graph 2, below] which, while showing the low 0.03% peak wow, clearly highlights complex flutter sidebands at ~±23Hz, amounting to 0.06%. Regular readers might want to compare this with the Garrard 401 [HFN Jul ’10]. The same speed variations are indicated as peaks of noise on the unweighted rumble spectrum [Graph 1]. The rumble spectra also show a cluster of peaks between 40-50Hz, noise from the idler drive, that are further indicated at the edge of the W&F skirt on Graph 2. The DIN-B weighted through-groove rumble is perfectly good enough at –69dB, nevertheless the damping offered by Inspire’s own acrylic mat is clearly best realised with the record weight in place – note the reduction in noise between red (no weight) and blue (with weight) traces, below. Readers are invited to view a full QC Suite report for the Inspire Enigma turntable by navigating to www.hifinews.co.uk and clicking on the red ‘download’ button. PM ABOVE: Unweighted bearing rumble from DC-200Hz (black infill) versus silent LP groove (with weight, blue; without weight, red) re. 1kHz at 5cm/sec HI-FI NEWS VERDICT Inspire Hi-Fi has again chosen a wise path in giving the world an affordable modern idlerdrive turntable, as the Enigma modifications strike a balance between subtle modernisation and maintaining the performance and quirkiness of the original. The donor Lenco is a highly competent device that really only needed some careful fine-tuning and Inspire has brought it right up to date in one deft move. Sound Quality: 80% 0 - - - - - - - - 100 ABOVE: Wow and flutter re. 3150Hz tone at 5cm/sec (plotted ±150Hz, 5Hz per minor division). Wow is low but note flutter sidebands at ±23Hz HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.45rpm (+0.35%) Time to audible stabilisation 2.5sec Peak Wow/Flutter 0.03% / 0.06% Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –68.7dB (–69.0dB with weight) Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –67.2dB Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –57.1dB Power Consumption 8W Dimensions (WHD) 475x120x415mm www.hifinews.co.uk | REPRODUCED FROM HI-FI NEWS