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Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Nottingham Analogue Interspace Turntables by akshobhyavajra

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REVIEW: Nottingham Analogue Interspace Turntables

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Model: Interspace
Category: Turntables
Suggested Retail Price: $750
Description: non suspened dual speed turntable
Manufacturer URL: Not Available
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by akshobhyavajra ( A ) on January 13, 2003 at 07:06:00
IP Address: 208.27.202.130
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for the Interspace


Table construction and features:

The plinth of the Interspace is made from HDF. The table is isolated from vibrations by four large rubber feet. The 20 lb high-mass platter uses the inertia of the weight. Therefore once set in motion, this HDF platter can turn at the right speed without the need for a powerful motor.

The Interspace uses the same motor as the more expensive Spacedeck. It is not free standing but in its own cassette, which has a very low resonance and is hand adjustable for height. Further, the motor has no switch, which means the platter has to be spun to start the movement. To stop the big platter you just break it gently with your fingers.

Speed change is manual is manual as well. This however takes mere seconds, as the top of the motor unit has separate belt grooves for each speed.

The philosophy behind manual operation is that if the motor has to start the table, there would be too much power in the motor when it reached speed. This means resonance; i.e., both the record and tonearm would vibrate (like writing a letter when the table is moving, as designer Tom Fletcher says). The purpose of this type of motor is to gently keep the platter at speed – nothing more.

Rather than using electronic power to move mass, this deck use mass to maintain momentum – contributing to its overall minimalist design.

Also on this turntable is a twin arm facility – an added feature for those who wish to employ several cartridges for different types of music.

The Interspace arm:

The Interspace arm is a unipivot design featuring a carbon fiber arm wand. It is argued that the unipivot design allows the most exact control of movements and energy paths. The Interspace is in fact very open and powerful. It draws music from black silences and spaces.

Synergy and musical impressions:

The combination of motor unit and tone arm make for a very sculpturesque sound. The Interspace does not expose poor recordings but extracts the essence of a performance and communicates it to the listener (obviously higher quality recordings are complimented by the Interspace). Treble is fine, the midrange fluid and the bass was quite detailed. As for the soundstage - both instruments and vocals seem to be placed where the recording engineer intended them. The Interspace offers significant transient silence as well as impressive 3-D imaging. This turntable does not favor one musical style over another. Classical music as well as Jazz and rock are presented with fluidity and presented in an equally palatable manner. With the proper recordings the Interspace sounds very lifelike and tangible.

In summary I am pleased with the Interspace turntable. I have found myself listening to music for hours without ever getting tired of the sound. I feel that this table a very good value for the money. For me the ability to add a second arm will ensure that I will keep the table for years to come, since I'll are adding a second turntable (and different sonic signature) at a fraction of the cost and space. This is truly a smart and cost-effective little table


NOTE: Phono employed: Monolithic PS-1 with HC-1b power supply / DV 20 XH cartridge


Product Weakness: None for the money - solid value.
Product Strengths: Very quiet and musical, minimalist design. Excellent value for the money.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Decware Zen Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): MAD Octal 6 Preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Nottingham Interspace
Speakers: Reference 3 A monitors
Cables/Interconnects: Terminator 2 cables, RWA power cords,
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, Classic Rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 12 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Vans Evers Cleanline
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Nottingham Analogue Interspace Turntables - akshobhyavajra 07:06:00 01/13/03 ( 33)