Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Well Tempered Well Tempered Record Player Turntables by Mister Pig

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: Well Tempered Well Tempered Record Player Turntables

63.178.198.105


[ Follow Ups ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ Vinyl Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: Well Tempered Record Player
Category: Turntables
Suggested Retail Price: $1995.00
Description: Suspensionless turntable with separate motor, and unique tonearm
Manufacturer URL: Well Tempered
Manufacturer URL: Well Tempered

Review by Mister Pig ( B ) on February 02, 2002 at 10:12:39
IP Address: 63.178.198.105
Add Your Review
for the Well Tempered Record Player


For the last couple of years I have had an early Well Tempered Record Player performing the duties of spinning my records. This model has the clear acrylic platter, round motor, and litz wired tone arm. The cartridge presently being used is a Dynavector 17D mk2. It sits on a Target TT3 stand.

The WT turntables are unique in the audio world because of their bearingless tone arm and platter design. The tone arm sits in a silicone bath supported by a large disc. It is hung from a crossmember with monofilament. WT believes that they can eliminate tone arm bearing vibrations by simply getting rid of the bearings. Another interesting point to the WT arm is that the arm tube is internally dampened with sand. Once again this is a fresh way of thinking to address problems normally found in all tone arms. Also the platter spindle assembly resides in an oversized thrust plate assembly. The sides are lined with teflon to reduce fiction, and the resivor is filled with silicone. Here again the bearing assembly is eliminated.

The motor and chasis have recieved some special treatment also. The motor is a stand alone assembly that fits in a spot that has been cut out of the plinth. So visually it still looks like part of the table. Its also using a heavily machined motor case, that dampens its internal workings quite well. The plinth is made up of 3 pieces of MDF that has a dampening material sandwiched between them. While not the most eye catching chasis, it does work quite well. The platter is clear acrylic, with a screw on clamp. While it nothing innovative today, when this table was first introduced it was at the leading edge of platter technology.

Even though this table was built in the early 90's its performance is still worth talking about. Musically speaking this table gets the job done! The WT is a very intimate sounding table. It extracts alot of detail out of the gooves, and presents it in a coherent manner. One of my favorite records is Kate Bush Hounds of Love. Its a very reminiscent of a Pink Floyed style of production. The texture and layering of the music is just sublime, and the WT does a great job of presenting it without mushing everything together. The WT and Dynavector combination has done the best job of presenting vocals that I have had in my house. Listening to Suzanne Vega's Solitude Standing record, the track "Toms Diner" really stands out. Its presentation of her vocals has an almost unreal presence. Speed and attack are excellent. Bass extension is above average, and speed it unparalled, but the quantity of bass is somewhat lighter then expected. Although this is more then likely a characteristic of the Dynavector then just the Well Tempered. The bass is definately liveable, its fast and detailed, which is easier to listen to then powerful bass that would lag. For instance the Bass tracks of the Count Basie Kansas City 7 sessions just smoke. It really sets the foundation for some wonderful music.

The only flaws that the Wel Tempered seem to present is a tendacy to brightness. Once again we are talking about its performance being paired with the Dynavector. Some pop/rock recordings can be very hard to listen to because of all the high end energy. For instance some of Madonna's or INXS music is tough to take for a long time period. In some cases it seems my Sony scd-777es is smoother in the top end. Secondly, the WT arm can be a challange to set up your first time. While you get used to it rather quickly, it is somewhat intimidating to fiddle with the monofiliment and paddle assembly as you fine tune the arm.

In closing, I would heartily recommned this turntable. Its strengths really do out weigh it limitations. Its not perfect, but WT has kept refining this table, and its bigger brothers have the same basic design, but have been improved. I do plan on eventually replacing this table, and step up to a "super table", but until then I can happily live with this one.

Regards
Mister Pig


Product Weakness: can be a bit bright
Product Strengths: detailed and quiet


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Art Audio Diavolo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audible Illusions 3A
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony SCD-777ES
Speakers: Cabasse Farella 400
Cables/Interconnects: Alpha Core Triode Quartz, Micropurl, and AG-1
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all types
Room Size (LxWxH): 28 x 14 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments: various furnishings
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): none
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Signature Sound   [ Signature Sound Lounge ]



Topic - REVIEW: Well Tempered Well Tempered Record Player Turntables - Mister Pig 10:12:39 02/2/02 ( 6)