That’s a super looking turntable and since it’s a Technics SP-10R motor it may well be the "best" out there.  

The only problem is price.  Based on what SAT charges for their tonearm the turntable will be hyper expensive.  Do you purchase a Technics SP-10R or pay $xx more for the same motor sitting in a SAT developed chassis?

I am certain I will never have the opportunity to compare all these versions against my SP10 MK3 in our plinth.  The Technics SP10R is still somewhat in short supply and the SAT rig will be even more rare.

All that said, I will eventually purchase a SP10R or SL-1000R (or both) and compare with my turntable and plinth.  

One thing for sure, it's great to see the Technics SP10 motor get the respect it deserves.  When I switched over to MK2 and then the MK3  from my $100,000.00 plus rig many years go I had one reviewer say,

"Albert has taken leave of his senses.”

Funny things is, the turntables that everyone was screaming over at that time are now recognized as less performance. 

For all of us, the SP10 MK3 is becoming more and more of a bargain as Technics releases new  SP10R and SL-1000. 

When I  switched to the Technics MK3 you could find one in almost new condition for $3,500.00 to $4,500.00.  Prices climbed over the years and until the release of the  SP10R the MK3 had climbed to as much as $14,000.00 without plinth or arm.  

albertporter May 07, 2019 21:08

Albert,

lordcloud April 29, 2019 14:29

I sold my demo pair of Allnic M5000 mono blocks to a customer who I now regard as a friend.

My new M5000 are completed, shipped and due to arrive this coming week.

My Studer is in the hands of a local tech who will replace the meter lamps, realign heads and do a general tune up.  I can hardly wait to hear what these changes bring.

I also plan on testing a few 12AU7 tubes, required in my Allnic L10000. 

On hand are:

(French) Mazda 5 star triple mica
Telefunken (1960s) smooth plate
Mullard 12AU7 square getter
Mullard military CV4003
Mullard 7316 (an ultra low noise version)

One of these should have the perfect personality  to push the Allnic L10000 into even higher performance.

albertporter April 08, 2019 05:15

The web address I provided is Mockingbird Distributon,  Phillip is a friend and the guy that brings in MuTech.

albertporter February 26, 2019 04:52

Hi Albert.

lordcloud February 24, 2019 22:33

A friend has become distributor for a very nice MC cartridge, I listened to it and bought one for my system.  No, it's not an Air Tight Opus but it does share some character of it and yet blends contrast and tonal balance more toward the Lyra ETNA.

I believe the price will be $4500.00, so a bit more money than the Kiseki Purple Heart but only about third of the Opus and Lyra ETNA.

In short I think there will be audiophiles that find it a perfect match for their system.  I'll post more when I get more hours on it and full correct data from manufacturer

albertporter January 24, 2019 07:03

Albert, 

lordcloud January 11, 2019 01:17

Last night I played a new demo tape, a near first generation Blue Note Jazz sampler and I think this is probably the best sound I've ever had from any system I’ve ever owned.   Not only this superior piece of software but the new preamp as well. 

Ever so often after pushing and working to get everything right you get on the other side of all the obstacles and your system breaks though and delivers like never before.

This new Allnic L-10000 is still in break in mode but I'm happy with it even if it never got a molecule better.

I just purchased a new LP, an artist I only just recently discovered.  His name is Leon Bridges, the album  "Good Thing"  arrived a few days ago.   I played it during our Tuesday night music session.

albertporter January 10, 2019 05:12

First a warning to anyone who goes for this ultimate preamp from Allnic, break in changes are big time, even compared to the L-7000 with its big transformers.

By warning, I mean don’t expect the L-10000 to break in and come around like any other Allnic preamp.   In fact its peak is reached in a different manner than any preamp I’ve ever heard.

For instance the Allnic L-7000 is slightly soft and closed in when new.  With hours it quickly gets more open, extended and tighter in bass.  Extreme high frequencies are beautiful and delicate but not all there until some hours with music through it.

The L-10000 is reverse of this.  Brash, tipped up highs and slight boom in bass, I was worried about it and did not know what would come of this early somewhat disappointing sound.

With time those problems went away and it began to sound more like the best of the L-7000, meaning it gets everything right and in addition is more filled out in its sound stage and VERY powerful.  It allows LPs to deliver contrast and dynamics bordering on my Studer.   All the things the L-7000 does this does better, plus content is delivered that you didn’t know was there.

As for tube swapping, the stock 12AU7 was a military tube and my impression was the music and detail were all there but lacked the emotion and color I wanted.   The NOS Mullard fixed that immediately and they are easy to find and not crazy money.

The 300B was an even bigger shock, the Russian (EH) tubes compared to Takatsuki 300B are rough and slightly dirty.  The Russian tubes delivered uneven dynamics and did not treat all frequencies equally. 

So the short story, the Takatsuki 300B is incredible addition to this circuit but it’s also big bucks.  Don't listen to them if you can’t justify the investment, you will not want to give them up.

However, in the end with sufficient hours on Russian tubes and Takatsuki (both with Mullard input tube) will make you forget just about every other preamp out there.   With the special tubes I’ve described I’ve had to readjust my expectations during every listening session, especially when playing back master tape.  There, the content is so deep and dense that I realize I  had never uncovered all that was there until now.  

Safe to say the big Allnic preamp uncorks the bottle and delivers like nothing else. I’m not sure it’s done yet as each session is more refined and musical but maintains all the positives I’ve already mentioned.

albertporter January 08, 2019 03:13

Albert,

lordcloud January 07, 2019 16:22

I'm ready for it, just need Technics to catch up on orders.

I saw your other post, I know Steve Dobbins, he and I both were big fans of Technics SP10 MK3 but I don't know how he could possibly make a judgement about the SP10R versus the MK3 unless he had both and did extensive listening.

Also, there are differences in opinion as to how a turntable should sound.   I know several designs that have very low torque, requiring quite a lot of time before the platter is stable and perfectly on speed.   The MK3 has massive torque and I think that's one of the things I like most about it.

The new SP10R has a 5~6 pound lighter platter than the MK3 and my MK3 is run with a 5 pound stainless steel mat.  So nearly 11 pounds difference in mass between my MK3 and the new Technics. 

In spite of that additional mass my MK3 reaches full speed in less than half a revolution and laser testing proves it's dead accurate on speed.   That plus the ability to provide unwavering speed accuracy regardless of intensity of the material recorded on the LP is exactly what is required of a turntable.

Another thing I find interesting is the folks at Technics have not published torque specifications on the new model.  I also heard a rumor that digital circuitry is used in the SP10R motor controller circuit.

If the digital rumor is true I hope they did extensive work to keep the digital from showing up on our AC line.   I've recently had five very high quality DACs in my system and everyone one of them harmed my analog sound,  just being powered on while listening to LP.

Of course there are filters and AC cords that remove this digital noise but it's not cheap.  In fact the best solution I’ve heard cost $10K, so added to the price of the SP10R makes is considerably more expensive if this digital turns out to be a factor (and I admit I DO NOT know if this is or is not an issue).

I just don't know about these variables, I sincerely hope the new Technics is better,  much better and would love to find out for myself by careful,  long term unbiased listening.

albertporter November 03, 2018 07:32

Albert,

lordcloud November 02, 2018 22:08

Albert,

lordcloud October 29, 2018 16:03

Henri,

I spoke to Technics at Rocky Mountain and they indicated orders were strong and not yet caught up for dealers.


If the new one is better I will sell mine.  If my restored MK3 is better performer I'll not only keep it, I'll buy another MK3 just to be sure I'm covered.

albertporter October 29, 2018 03:28

Hey Albert,

lordcloud October 28, 2018 22:28

tonib,

I've owned a lot of amps including Counterpoint OTL, Atma-Sphere MA2, Wolcotts, Viva, Tube Research, Allnic and Audio Research.  

Actually quite a few others including some solid state, class D and vintage designs modernized to compete with current designs.  I'll skip these and stay with amps at hand.

All of these are great amps with performance variations based on their personality and design plus load they must drive.   With Sound Lab speakers, which have near impossible load in deepest bass, the Counterpoint and Atma-Sphere OTL designs did wonders since they don't mind the high impedance.

It was not until I bought the VTL 750s that I owned a transformer coupled amp that had enough juice to push the Sound Labs to their limit.  I preferred the VTL over all the other brands mentioned when driving Sound Lab.  I must inject here,  Audio Research and Allnic amps trials came after I sold the Sound Labs.  So they don't apply to that experience.

When I sold the Sound Lab and moved to Dali Megaline I started over on amp trials and continued with Atma-Sphere, Wolcotts and VTL 750s.  The old Allnic M-3000 (series one) were in the system for a time, driving the bass in this bi amp system.  I often regret not trying four Allnic M3000 on the Dali.  I think it would have been marvelous with the ribbon tweeters.

When I upgraded to Focal Grande EM I kept one pair of VTL 750 and sold the other.  The Focal does not require bi amp like the Dali did and is considerably more efficient.

After Focal got broken in the VTL 750 pushed exceptionally well but the Allnic M3000 MK2 (new version) was more articulate, cleaner and higher resolution with perhaps had a bit less "slam" factor.  Note that slam factor can be fun but often comes off sounding more like a "thud" rather than articulate shading and resolution, so taste and preference is a huge factor here.

The Audio Research Ref 250 with KT-150 tubes whipped the VTL on resolution, speed, signal to noise and bandwidth but did suffer a little from high frequency brightness which I am particularly sensitive to.

I ultimately choose the Allnic M-3000 MK2 (KT-150 tubes like Audio Research) for the Focal and I had everything I needed until Allnic ask my opinion about performance.  When I mentioned how much I loved the sound of super powerful amps but did not want the brightness or loss of articulation they designed the M-5000 amps.

The M-5000 is without a doubt the finest amps I've ever heard.  They are actually more resolved and agile than the M-3000 and equal in every way to the positive aspects of the Audio Research Ref 250 but with zero brightness or hardness.

The M-5000 are easily as powerful as the VTL 750 and Tube Research GT 400 so nothing given up there.   I think the nickle core transformers that Allnic hand makes is part of the magic.    Also, only the Audio Research and Allnic M-5000 use a "power" tube to drive the output power tube.  Both circuits choose the new KT-150 tube final output where other use KT-120, KT-88, 6550 or other older designs.

I think choosing a "power" tube  to drive a power tube opens up a world of dynamics and contrast not available with other options.   I will say that all these are great amps and depending on speaker and associated equipment the owner of same could easily boast they have the "best."

albertporter September 29, 2018 20:44

Albert,

tonib September 27, 2018 19:23

Albert,

lordcloud September 16, 2018 05:06