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
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- High mass platter contributes to speed stability and resistance to vibration
- Magnetic feet provide excellent isolation from feedback and keep the table stable
- Silent motors and rotation with precise speed control
- The combination of the tonearm, cartridge, and turntable delivers a smooth and vivid sound
- Build quality is extremely high
Product Considerations
- The outboard power supply's appearance may not match the turntable's high-end aesthetic
- The size of the turntable (55cm wide) requires a substantial amount of space
- The anti-skate mechanism could be more user-friendly
Takeaway: The EAT Forte S turntable is an impressive, high-quality piece of audio equipment that offers excellent sound and stability. It is built to last and bring musical enjoyment for a long time.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Forte S
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Electronic speed change: 33.33/45.11
- Speed variance: +/- 0.09%
- Wow and flutter: ± 0.009%
- Signal-to-noise ratio: -73dB
- Power consumption: 4W
- Power supply: 16V/1.000mA AC
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 550x250x440mm
- Weight: 44kg
- Platter size: 36cm
- Platter weight: 15kg
- Total package weight: 35kg
Description
After the first impressive model Forte, Euro Audio Team follows with the small brother EAT Forte S. The last letter "S" is for small. Actually there is nothing "small" and this can be seen as a good joke. We have reduced size of the huge platter from the 40 cm to 36m and its weight from the 20kg to the 15 kg.
After the first impressive model Forte, Euro Audio Team follows with the small brother EAT Forte S. The last letter "S" is for small. Actually there is nothing "small" and this can be seen as a good joke. We have reduced size of the huge platter from the 40 cm to 36m and its weight from the 20kg to the 15 kg. It is still amazing in comparison to the standard 30 cm. The sense behind it is to store inside as much as possible of moving mass that is getting most effective on the outer side of the big radius. You can say the following: double size of diameter and four times more effective sound.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- EAT offers a hybrid tonearm design that combines the stability of a Cardan bearing with the low friction of a uni-pivot, offering a balance of performance and ease of use.
- They manufacture their own high-quality vacuum tubes, imbuing their tube-based audio components with a unique sonic signature and ensuring component synergy.
- EAT emphasizes an aesthetic that is sleek, modern, and visually striking, using materials like carbon fiber, polished metals, and high-gloss finishes to create elegant designs.
Select products
Select product comparisons
E.A.T. Prelude Turntable
- Positioning: The entry-level high-end turntable offering neutral sound at an affordable price.
- Description: Features a rigid MDF chassis and a heavy aluminum platter, providing excellent speed stability and sound neutrality. Compared to the B-Sharp, it uses a carbon tonearm and a 2M Red cartridge, making it ideal for those starting their audiophile journey with a focus on value and simplicity.
E.A.T. C-Major Turntable
- Positioning: Bridges the gap between budget and high-end turntables.
- Description: Features a 9-inch C-Note tonearm and a compact chassis, providing a high-value option for vinyl enthusiasts. It offers a more sophisticated build than the B-Sharp, with a focus on reducing costs without sacrificing performance.
E.A.T. C-Sharp Turntable
- Positioning: A high-end model known for its elegant design and advanced technology.
- Description: Uses carbon fiber and thermoplastic elastomer materials for a superflat design, ensuring low noise and high rigidity. It surpasses the C-Major with its microprocessor-driven speed control and superior damping.
E.A.T. Forte Turntable
- Positioning: A premium model that combines mass-loaded design with a separate sub-chassis for optimal performance.
- Description: Features a massive 20 kg platter with magnetic suspension, providing exceptional kinetic energy and resonance control. It offers more advanced isolation and energy absorption than the C-Sharp.
E.A.T. Fortissimo Turntable
- Positioning: The groundbreaking flagship model, offering the most advanced features and performance in the lineup.
- Description: Includes a 22 kg platter with brass inserts and a new bearing design for unmatched speed stability and low friction. It outperforms the Forte with its optional F-Note tonearm and Fortissimo Base, delivering the highest level of sound isolation and customization.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
4
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
164
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
23
Founding Year
1998
Our take on the brand
European Audio Team specializes in hifi turntables and vacuum tube components, delivering a pure analog experience that emphasizes precision and clarity for audio enthusiasts.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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European Audio Team
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What if you spend more?
Rega
Naia
12995
12995
/
16
Reviews
Rega is a British hifi brand known for its minimalist, low-mass turntable designs that challenge the industry's typical heavy-mass approach to reducing vibration. Their hand-assembled turntables and tonearms use advanced materials like graphene-infused carbon fiber and feature slim yet rigid plinths with striking glass platters, reflecting founder Roy Gandy's unique engineering perspective on how components affect
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Naia epitomizes Rega's design philosophies, and its sonic performance confirms this
- Exceptionally capable, setting a sky-high standard for resolution and transparency
- Incredibly neutral and transparent for a vinyl source, doing a more effective job of getting out of the way and letting the record itself be the story
- Genuinely high end and trades blows with the best, but is no more demanding in use than one at a tenth of the price
- Delivers better timing than 99.9% of audio sources–analogue or digital
Product Considerations
- The foam edges on the plinth look a little unfinished
- An otherwise admirably off-hand approach to music-making did leave some wanting more in the way of rhythmic drive
- Can expose weaknesses in record quality, so upgrades to some of your record collection may be needed
- Minimalist design and understatement might not impress those unfamiliar with high-end audio
- The removable dust cover doesn't offer quite the same protection as a more conventional lid and, combined with the fairly small stylus guard on the cart, means Rega is slightly more vulnerable than some rivals
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rega Planar 10, the Naia brings it closer technologically and, unfortunately, in price, but it is also better in every way, and the measured performance demonstrates that the Naia is a step above the Planar 10
- Vs Rega Planar 10, the Naia gets significantly more information out of records, has a lower apparent noise floor and even better timing
- Vs Technics SL-1000R, the Rega is significantly better with low-frequency transients, delivering them with greater heft and power while also revealing that the Technics has a slightly sludgy quality in comparison
- Vs Linn Seleckt LP12, the Naia is more neutral and transparent
Takeaway: The Naia is a high-performance turntable that offers exceptional clarity and detail, providing a very neutral sound. If you want a turntable that reveals every nuance in your vinyl collection, the Naia is worth considering.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Rega is a British hifi brand known for its minimalist, low-mass turntable designs that challenge the industry's typical heavy-mass approach to reducing vibration. Their hand-assembled turntables and tonearms use advanced materials like graphene-infused carbon fiber and feature slim yet rigid plinths with striking glass platters, reflecting founder Roy Gandy's unique engineering perspective on how components affect
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VPI
Avenger
12500
12500
/
10
Reviews
The VPI Avenger Table was originally a project started by Harry over 12 years ago. In the process of the design, the project was dropped in mid-production due to excessive demand by HR-X customers which left the design and proto-type chassis to be mothballed. The good news about the abandoned design is Harry instead shifted his focus to starting and completing the VPI Classic Turntable.
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.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Customizable and upgradable, it can handle up to three tonearms
- It produces a big soundstage with life-like proportions and scale, which provides a holographic sound
- Offers an effortless power and control and is unflappable at any volume
- VPI's chassis is versatile, allowing a different and more complex drive system
- Has great speed stability
Product Considerations
- Setup is critical and may require assistance from an experienced dealer or audiophile
- It can be sensitive to vibrations from the room and speakers, requiring careful placement and isolation
- It may not suit those wanting a 4/4 beat to everything, because it does not emphasize the beat in the way that a suspended turntable does
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Minimizes resonance problems with both moving-coil and moving-iron cartridges
- Avenger Direct has the speed stability of the best direct drives
- Avenger Direct is competitive in overall level of detail and silence, sometimes slightly superior, to the VPI Classic Direct
- The three-legged layout solves the problem of accommodating two tonearms
- Compared to VPI Scout 21, the Deep In The Night track has depth and scale to it that's grander in every direction and dimension via the Avenger
Takeaway: The VPI Avenger is a high-end turntable with a customizable design and strong performance, offering great sound quality and the ability to use multiple tonearms. With its solid engineering and powerful sound, it is built to deliver great sound from vinyl records, allowing listeners to hear music with a new level of engagement.
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.
Product Page
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Linn
Selekt LP12
14560
14560
/
4
Reviews
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
Product Strengths
- Offers a sweet spot in price/performance terms
- Delivers a quintessential Sondek sound, and is highly emotional
- Unlocks the music in real time, making for an extremely immersive sound
- Strong and taut bass
- Sounds sweet, refined, and smooth
Product Considerations
- Setting up an LP12 needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing
- The Kendo MC cartridge feels very exposed
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Is a definite step up from the Majik LP12
Takeaway: The Linn Selekt LP12 embodies the best of the venerable turntable in its classical form, offering high-quality engineering and an immersive sound. It's a worthwhile option for those seeking a significant upgrade in their vinyl listening experience.
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.
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J.Sikora
Initial Max Line
14571
14571
/
4
Reviews
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
- Delivers a beautifully noise-free background, which allows the micro detail, the hall sound, and the instrument sound to shine through beautifully
- Rock-solid sense of stability and noiselessness on LP after LP
- Build quality seems very high in most elements
- Allows differentiation between different components, easily and in detail
- Operationally, there's nothing really weird or unusual about it
Product Considerations
- It weighs 112 lb, so it is a beast of a turntable
- Near the entry level to the J.Sikora line, but it's not an entry level turntable by any means
- A highly flexible tonearm mounting system gives room to play, and get into trouble
- Not incredibly difficult to assemble, it does take time to get everything just so
Takeaway: The Initial Max is an outstanding turntable that delivers a beautifully noise-free background, which allows the micro detail, the hall sound, and the instrument sound to shine through. It just works and offers a tremendous amount of flexibility if you want to change tonearms.
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.
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What competes at this price?
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European Audio Team
Fortissimo S
/
Released
2024
European Audio Team specializes in hifi turntables and vacuum tube components, delivering a pure analog experience that emphasizes precision and clarity for audio enthusiasts.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Well-constructed and handsome
- Provides a stable base that concentrates all of the groove's energy into the stylus
- A neutral tonal balance does a real favor to the low and mid-bass
- Minimalist control panel resides underneath the headshell
- Magnetically damped feet are preinstalled
Product Considerations
- The Fortissimo S will dominate many standard audio racks, and may well not fit on some, due to its large footprint
- The platter alone weighs more than 22kg, making it a two-person job to set up
- The polish on the F-Note wasn't an absolute mirror finish, with a slight haze
- The bubble level in the tonearm base didn't seem accurate
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Fortissimo S edges out the VPI Prime Signature in its control of transients and isolation from vibration
Takeaway: The Fortissimo S turntable is a statement piece that offers a near-perfect blend of beauty, function, and sound quality. It provides a stable and unflappable platform for extracting information from records.
Video review
Our take on the brand
European Audio Team specializes in hifi turntables and vacuum tube components, delivering a pure analog experience that emphasizes precision and clarity for audio enthusiasts.
Product Page
Product Page
Linn
Majik LP12
5130
/
Released
Take your first step into high-fidelity vinyl playback. And close the door behind you, you won't be turning back. Experience the legendary Sondek LP12 in its most affordable guise – powered by carefully curated Linn-engineered components. Majik LP12 includes our sandwich-construction aluminium sub-chassis, patented single point Karousel bearing, internally mounted low noise power supply, and low-friction Krane tonearm.
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
Product Strengths
- Shares the plinth, bearing and suspension design with higher-end LP12 models
- Great build quality and finish, made with precision aluminum and stainless-steel components
- Offers upgrade paths with higher quality phono cartridges, arms, chassis, and power supplies
- Known for its musicality and ability to make listeners forget about typical audio criteria and focus on enjoying the music
- Great value package bringing LP12 ownership to a wider audience without major compromise
Product Considerations
- Requires professional setup and adjustment
- Speed change to 45rpm requires fitting a pulley adaptor, which may be annoying for some users
- Footfall and external vibrations can affect performance, requiring a lightweight and rigid support
- Some reviewers found the bundled Adikt moving magnet cartridge to be the weakest link in the system
- Lid is an optional extra, which may come as a surprise
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Technics SL-1200G: Majik LP12 offers a more relaxed and beguiling sound, while the Technics is crisper and tighter
- Vs Origin Live Calypso Multilayer/Silver: Majik LP12 sits in the middle, more relaxed than the Technics SL-1200G—but not as expansive and tonally natural as the Origin Live Calypso Multilayer/Silver
- Vs Thorens TD160 HD or Michell's Gyrodec SE: Majik LP12 has a relaxed warmth and fluidity that the others do not
Takeaway: The Majik LP12 is a well-built, musically engaging turntable that brings the classic Linn sound to a more accessible price point. It's a great way to get into vinyl and enjoy records without being distracted by technicalities and has plenty of upgrade options available.
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.
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Cyrus
TTP
5800
/
Released
2023
The Cyrus TTP Turntable is the perfect complement to our award-winning Classic PHONO preamplifier, unless Moving Magnet is your choice of cartridge, and then any of the Cyrus Classic or XR pre-amplifiers or integrated amplifiers can also be considered as a suitable partner.
Cyrus Audio is known for its compact half-width designs and proprietary Servo Evolution technology that optimizes CD transport performance beyond basic readability. The brand stands out for being the first to implement voice-assist technology in hifi through their ONE Cast amplifier, which features a hybrid Class D design and high-end DAC, while their PSU-XR power supply employs five independent power supplies to minimize electrical noise.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Heavy weight and high mass design combats resonant frequencies and provides a stable platform for playing vinyl records
- Delivers a clean, dynamic sound with superb imaging and soundstage
- The motor is integrated into the chassis giving the turntable a very clean look
Product Considerations
- No dust cover/lid is included
- No ground/earth cable included with the RCA's
- RB330 tonearm is not known for its easy adjustment and cartridge matching
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- TTP has similar solidity of image and body to the Thorens TD-124 and Garrard 301 idler-wheel turntables
Takeaway: The Cyrus Audio TTP is a well-engineered turntable that delivers engaging music from a stable platform and a clean background. It offers a blend of modern technology, thoughtful design, and flexible upgrade options.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Cyrus Audio is known for its compact half-width designs and proprietary Servo Evolution technology that optimizes CD transport performance beyond basic readability. The brand stands out for being the first to implement voice-assist technology in hifi through their ONE Cast amplifier, which features a hybrid Class D design and high-end DAC, while their PSU-XR power supply employs five independent power supplies to minimize electrical noise.
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Musical Fidelity
M8xTT
8999
/
Released
2023
The M8xTT is a high-end turntable with radical concepts and innovations originating from its legendary predecessor.
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sleek acrylic construction that is visually appealing and acoustically excellent
- A beautifully open window onto the performance, achieved in a commandingly authoritative manner
- Muscular sounding, exhibiting a solid grip on the music, especially through the bass and into the lower midrange
- Utterly coherent, with an uncanny ability to untangle complex music
- Precision opened up the record, presenting sometimes-busy albums as if they were giant paintings
Product Considerations
- Consistency of speed was not what was expected from a turntable of this pedigree
- The headshell lacks sufficient offset angle, so rotation of an MM or MC slightly inwards may be needed
- If a cartridge is less than about 17mm tall, spacers may be needed to use it with the M8xTT's arm
- Acrylic scratches easily and shows dust, so care must be taken when cleaning
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The M1 was always a little soft at the low end, but the Musical Fidelity's new model couldn't be more different
Takeaway: The M8xTT is a wonderful turntable with exceptional sound quality and outstanding construction. The crystalline chrome-and-acrylic chassis and visual effect of the spinning platter make it a thrilling machine to use.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
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Product Page
MoFi
MasterDeck
5995
/
Released
2023
Unveiling the pinnacle of vinyl reproduction: the MasterDeck Turntable, a masterpiece crafted by the renowned Allen Perkins. Born from a collaboration of vinyl enthusiasts, this reference-grade turntable is engineered for those who seek to unearth the true essence of music embedded in the grooves of their cherished vinyl LPs.
MoFi Electronics is known for their turntables featuring unique engineering choices like chassis with constrained layer damping and 10-inch tonearms for superior sound quality. Their speakers use concentric driver designs that minimize cone displacement and enhance clarity, while their phono stages offer uncommon features like front-panel adjustability for gain and cartridge load.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed by Allen Perkins, incorporating groundbreaking technologies and design principles.
- Every component is designed to work in perfect harmony, extracting every nuance and detail from vinyl collection.
- Features a three-point isolation system with Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) feet.
- Has a 10-inch dual-pivot carbon-fiber tonearm with Cardas Audio internal wiring.
- Offers speed options and trim control.
Product Considerations
- Setup is extremely critical and may require assistance.
- The tonearm rest requires a strong pull to secure the arm, which can cause the arm to ricochet if not handled carefully.
- Additional head shells should be purchased with the turntable, if the user anticipates swapping them to use different cartridges.
- Maintenance parts may be difficult to secure for the next 40 years.
- The design is not for those looking to customize the table with different tonearm mounts and components.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to StudioDeck and UltraDeck, the MasterDeck's collar screw drive VTA adjustment is easier to set and more precise in its movement.
Takeaway: The MasterDeck is a well-engineered turntable that delivers realism and detail while keeping the musical enjoyment alive. Its innovative design and precision components provide a high-quality listening experience for vinyl enthusiasts.
Video review
Our take on the brand
MoFi Electronics is known for their turntables featuring unique engineering choices like chassis with constrained layer damping and 10-inch tonearms for superior sound quality. Their speakers use concentric driver designs that minimize cone displacement and enhance clarity, while their phono stages offer uncommon features like front-panel adjustability for gain and cartridge load.
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