Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Design and precision engineering are hidden from view
- The CNC-machined aluminum armbase is larger than the Viella's, increasing structural rigidity and mechanical integrity
- It uses a unique platter bearing design
Product Considerations
- Setting up the AMG Viella Forte turntable, particularly platter installation, can be challenging due to its weight and design
- AMG's unsuspended mass-loaded design makes what you place it on critical
Takeaway: The Viella Forte turntable offers evolutionary improvements on previous designs, with hidden engineering that makes it a quality piece of equipment. The enhanced structural rigidity and unique platter bearing contribute to its performance.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
GIRO:
- Position: The entry-level turntable designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Uses a straightforward mechanical design with basic vibration control, making it suitable for small rooms and casual listeners. Offers essential functionality compared to models with more refined features found in the rest of the lineup.
9W1:
- Position: The basic tonearm option intended for everyday listening setups.
- Description: Provides steady tracking and simple adjustability that serve the needs of standard audio environments. Its performance is practical for casual setups compared to the enhanced precision seen in higher-tier tonearms in this range.
VIELLA:
- Position: The mid-range turntable balancing quality performance with approachable cost.
- Description: Features improved tonearm mechanics and better vibration damping compared to the entry-level model. This design supports a clearer sound in medium-sized spaces and shows noticeable enhancements over the Giro's more basic performance.
9WT:
- Position: The premium tonearm built for precise tracking in more demanding setups.
- Description: Has advanced damping features and fine-tuned adjustments that offer higher precision than its simpler counterpart, the 9W1.
VIELLA FORTE:
- Position: The flagship turntable aimed at audiophiles seeking top-tier performance.
- Description: Incorporates groundbreaking motor control and superior anti-vibration measures that distinguish it from the mid-range Viella.
See all the brand's products
Read the reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
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Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Viella Forte
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No items found.
Manufacturer's notes
AMG's flagship- the ultimate in turntable performance. Ultra-high mass 48kg structure for unsurpassed dynamics, allowing tonearm, cartridge, and record to function in perfect harmony and without distortions caused by internal or external factors. Total dynamic control and intensely holographic presentation of stereo imaging for a perfectly lifelike auditory experience.
AMG‘s flagship- the ultimate in turntable performance. Ultra-high mass 48kg structure for unsurpassed dynamics, allowing tonearm, cartridge, and record to function in perfect harmony and without distortions caused by internal or external factors. Total dynamic control and intensely holographic presentation of stereo imaging for a perfectly lifelike auditory experience. The epitome of audio brilliance, through culmination of high precision, high mass, rigorous testing, smart design, and pride of workmanship. A turntable designed for absolute Elegant aesthetics with perfect proportionality and logical architecture. Tolerance-free, micrometer-range manufacturing processes, coupled with careful manual individual assembly methods and final extensive testing of each individual model in-house.
Manufacturer Specs
- Total Weight: 48kg
- Dimensions (L/W/H): 525.0 / 316.0 / 215.0 mm
- Drive: Decoupled, brushless, 24V Lorenzi DC motor quartz-regulated round belt drive
- Power Supply: Viella Forte power supply 230V
- Speeds: 33.33 / 45 / 78 rpm
- Platter Height: 86mm
- Platter Weight: 14kg
- Bearings: 20mm high precision shaft, partial hydrodynamic high precision solid bearing with central permanent oil bearing teflon mirror
- Platter Material: 3-piece composite platter with high-density aluminium main carrier, PUR damping layer, and polymer carrier plate
- Chassis Material: High-density aerospace aluminium with Eloxal coating Shadow Black
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Average Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used Products
3
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
301
of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
8
Founded
2011
Our take on the brand
AMG (Analog Manufaktur Germany) is distinguished by their turntables' dual-pivot tonearm bearing system, derived from helicopter rotor technology, which eliminates bearing chatter in their flagship Viella model. Their products, including the Giro turntable known for its exceptionally low noise floor, combine precision German engineering with unique features like cherry wood sub-chassis for enhanced damping, making them a favorite among serious audiophiles.
Brand Page
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What if you spend a bit more?
Reference Line
48000
48000
/
3
Reviews
J.Sikora
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptionally well-made with a 'boutique' manufacturer quality matching best mass-loaders
- Operates with an extremely low noise floor, and is ultra-quiet
- Offers a stable and precise sound reproduction, extracting maximum information from recordings
- Presents powerful and distinct treble and bass, with no roll-off, rounding or softening
- Delivers a large-scale, rich, smooth, precise, and energetic performance with impressive dynamics
Product Considerations
- The loose and sloppy interface between the disc and the threaded stub was criticized
- The Reference doesn't have the same grandeur—the sheer sweep that more expensive turntables deliver
- Opinions were strongly polarized, and nobody was left unmoved by this turntable's aesthetics
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The reference turntable built on the Standard's strengths to offer a much more formidable sonic presentation
- These two offer similar tonal balance, similar way of sound articulation, but the Reference delivers even deeper bass and renders larger phantom images, while the Air Force Two seemed more resolving
Takeaway: The J.Sikora Reference is a top-tier turntable offering stable, precise, and energetic sound, making it a great choice for audiophiles who value extracting maximum detail from their vinyl collection. Its exceptional build quality and performance make it a standout product in the high-end audio market
Video review
Our take on the brand
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Visit our
Reference Line
page
Product Page
Titan Direct
60000
60000
/
1
Reviews
VPI
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Accurate and precise reproduction allows for hours of non-stop playing
- Combines the strengths of both solid high mass tables and suspension tables, without sharing any of the weaknesses
- Soundstage and solidity of 3-D images is exceptional
- Offers chameleon-like flexibility, allowing for different tonalities depending on tonearm, cartridge, and drive mechanism combinations
- Equipped with one of the best speed controllers, the VPI ADS, resulting in very low Wow & Flutter measurements
Product Considerations
- The reviewer experimented with different configurations to find the most suitable one for their music
- Changing over to the Belt Drive requires disassembling the top platter
- Careful attention must be paid to ensure proper tension on the three rubber belts in the Belt Drive
- Overall tonality is richer and warmer sounding end of the spectrum than neutral, which may not be for everyone
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Titan has a different design implementation and material quality with a much larger magnet than JC Verdier La Platine and DaVinci Audio's Gabriel turntable & Clearaudio's Master Innovation, increasing speed stability
- Titan sits firmly on a frame with a much wider footprint than JC Verdier, providing far superior stability
- Titan achieves the same open and airy harp sounds as Oracle V with a much quieter background
- Titan's midrange tonality of the mass strings is as rich—as warm and as textured as Nottingham 294 and TW-Acustic Raven AC (with Black Knight Platter)
- The Titan blossoms in the mid-range regardless of the tonearm, cartridge combination of choice, unlike the VPI HR-X which can be brighter than neutral
Takeaway: The VPI Titan turntable offers incredibly realistic sound reproduction with flexibility in sound based on configuration, offering a satisfying listening experience. This turntable is for serious audiophiles looking for top-of-the-line analog equipment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Visit our
Titan Direct
page
Product Page
What else competes at this price?
Avenger Direct
36000
/
Released
2022
VPI
Based on our known design of the Avenger Tripod Chassis, the Avenger Direct takes our Direct Drive technology and marries it with our Avenger Series. The Avenger design has always been known as a "sandbox" type of design giving the owner the ability to mount up to 3 arms at any length or manufacturer model.
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Expand Details
Our Summary
No items found.
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and design, utilizing materials like acrylic, stainless steel, and aluminum, contribute to an inert structure
- The direct drive motor ensures accurate speed control, with feedback loops monitoring platter rotation
- Designed with three support posts, the Avenger Direct can accommodate up to three tonearms of various sizes and from different manufacturers
- A 3-point isolation system with adjustable feet provides excellent isolation from external vibrations in both vertical and horizontal axes
- Despite its high-end nature, the Avenger Direct is easy to set up and operate
Product Considerations
- The Avenger Direct is a significant investment, placing it in 'turntable grail territory'
- With a single tonearm arrangement, the tonearm feels further to the back of the deck than one might get from a larger chassis
- The Avenger Direct's sonic characteristics may benefit from careful cartridge selection
Takeaway: The VPI Avenger Direct is a top-tier turntable offering exceptional build quality, precise speed control, and versatile tonearm options. Its robust engineering and ease of use provide a rewarding listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Visit
Avenger Direct
Page
Product Page
Klimax LP12
30970
/
Released
2021
Linn
With Klimax LP12, you'll experience your favourite albums – both cherished classics and those freshly unwrapped – as if it were for the first time. The latest iteration of our reference turntable, Klimax LP12, produces an even more musical, pitch-perfect performance. This is thanks to our latest, hyper-accurate speed management technology, whisper-quiet power supply, and cutting-edge motor design; and also to the level of fidelity achieved following our team's extensive experiments in material science – culminating in the breakthrough that is our all-new flagship cartridge.
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
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Our Summary
No items found.
Product Strengths
- Capable of an informative, dynamic and exciting presentation
- Sensational dynamics and surefooted with rhythms
- Excellent build and finish with carefully honed engineering
- Lowest noise floor of any vinyl setup
- Delivers a sound of huge scale and power
Product Considerations
- Expensive
- Installation requires a certified, trained LP12 specialist
- Some may find the presentation tonally lean
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Luxman EQ-500: Klimax lacks natural warmth and spaciousness, preferring a more forward presentation, but renders the sound with more precision and agility
- Vs LP12 Akurate: The Linn LP12 Klimax has even lower noise floor
- Vs LP12 Majik: The Linn LP12 Klimax is very unique, smooth, more lively and more appealing with deep bass and extreme high-end air
Takeaway: The Klimax LP12 is a top-tier turntable delivering exceptional sonic performance and a very enjoyable listening experience. It represents the pinnacle of Linn's turntable technology.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Visit
Klimax LP12
Page
Product Page
Standard Max Supreme
32796
/
Released
2024
J.Sikora
The J.Sikora company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. On this occasion, we have prepared a special product line for the anniversary year. In 2009, the founder, Janusz Sikora, completed the design of his first turntable. It was the progenitor of the current Standard Max model.
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Expand Details
Our Summary
No items found.
Product Strengths
- The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable brings music in an unbelievably 'laid back' way
- It delivers a precise, open, very resolving treble
- The turntable suppresses pops & cracks and other distortion
- The sound is velvety, deep and almost warm
Product Considerations
- The bass is somewhat soft
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs TechDAS Air Force One—the Standard Max Supreme plays with less freedom and three-dimensionality
- Vs SME 20/3A—the Standard Max Supreme is less precise and open
- Vs Rega Naia—the Standard Max Supreme is not as effortlessly playing
- Vs Kuzma Stabi XL—the Standard Max Supreme has a deepening of the sound that is comparable
Takeaway: The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable is a top hifi product that offers a quiet and natural sound, allowing one to focus on the music. It is designed to work well with all types of records, regardless of their condition.
Video review
Our take on the brand
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Visit
Standard Max Supreme
Page
Product Page
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Design and precision engineering are hidden from view
- The CNC-machined aluminum armbase is larger than the Viella's, increasing structural rigidity and mechanical integrity
- It uses a unique platter bearing design
Product Considerations
- Setting up the AMG Viella Forte turntable, particularly platter installation, can be challenging due to its weight and design
- AMG's unsuspended mass-loaded design makes what you place it on critical
Takeaway: The Viella Forte turntable offers evolutionary improvements on previous designs, with hidden engineering that makes it a quality piece of equipment. The enhanced structural rigidity and unique platter bearing contribute to its performance.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
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