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
- 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
All
Reference Line
reviews
Manufacturer details
technical specifications
Total weight [kg]: 100
Platter weight [kg]: 18
Platter material: Delrin® and cast iron
Material: aluminium, copper, inox, bronze, cast iron
Bearing type: ceramic ball – inverted
Motor [pcs]: 4 DC
Belt: rubber
Rotation speed [rpm]: 33; 45
No. of tonearms: 1 (+2 optional)
Armboard: yes
Clamp: yes
Glass mat: yes
Power supply: yes
Dimensions [mm]: 560 x 560 x 380
Available colours: silver / black high gloss /black matt
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:
- The brand uniquely leverages in-house metalworking expertise, ensuring unparalleled build quality, repeatable precision, and the ability to quickly iterate on designs.
- J.Sikora's turntables offer significant upgrade paths via mats, clamps, and power supplies, enabling users to incrementally improve performance over time.
- They emphasize high-torque DC motors and mass-loaded designs with constrained-layer damping using a variety of carefully chosen materials.
- They partner with Kuzma and other established brands to offer complete turntable solutions with excellent synergy, providing a trusted starting point for customers.
Select products
Initial Line
- Positioning: The entry-level offering in the J.Sikora lineup.
- Description: Features a single DC motor and simpler construction compared to the Max versions. Compared to the Initial Max, it lacks the additional isolation platform and glass platter mat, which are designed to enhance sound quality in more demanding listening environments.
Initial Max Line
- Positioning: An enhanced version of the Initial Line, offering improved features.
- Description: Features an additional isolation platform and glass platter mat. It is heavier and more robust than the standard Initial Line, making it suitable for users seeking better vibration control and sound clarity.
Standard Line
- Positioning: Positioned as a mid-tier option in the J.Sikora lineup.
- Description: Features a dual-motor system for improved speed stability. It provides a significant upgrade over the Initial Line with better materials and construction. Compared to the Standard Max, it lacks some of the advanced features like the upgraded power supply and additional motor.
Standard Max Line
- Positioning: An advanced version of the Standard Line, offering superior features.
- Description: Uses a dual-motor system and enhanced materials, including a heavier platter and improved isolation. Compared to the Standard Line, it includes additional features like a more sophisticated power supply and the ability to support multiple tonearms.
Standard Max Supreme
- Positioning: The top-tier model in the Standard series, offering the most advanced features.
- Description: Uses premium materials and advanced engineering, including a Kevlar tonearm and a high-mass design for exceptional vibration control. Compared to the Standard Max, it offers even greater refinement and sound precision.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
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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What if you spend more?
The most technically advanced SME precision turntable ever made the Model 60 is available as a bespoke ONE of ONE signature commission. These individual masterpieces are a work of art, hand-made to order exclusively for you, by our team of highly skilled craftspeople.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional detail resolution
- Outstanding sonic composure and control
- Built and finished to an immaculate standard
- Highly effective suspension system
- Provides excellent isolation from external vibrations
Product Considerations
- Lacks a dustcover to protect from dust, children, and cats
- The arm lock found on earlier prototypes is not included in the final version
- The stark and rather brutish appearance won't appeal to all
- There is no arm lock to prevent damage
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SME Model 30: The Model 60 is described as a highly refined and upgraded version of the Model 30
- Vs SME Model 15: Model 15 has a lighter, freer, more graceful—and less damped—sonic personality
Takeaway: The SME Model 60 with Series VA arm is a very talented performer that belongs high up in the ranks of the finest record players available. It's built to last for decades and provides the best possible vinyl replay.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Model 60 is the most technically advanced SME turntable ever made, evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction. Extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered componentry, striking design and a range of none painted uniquely engineered finishes.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional detail resolution and sonic neutrality, playing what is there without artifice
- Outstanding sonic composure and control, providing stability to the musical image
- Immaculate build quality and finish, made with precision-machined aluminum and high-tech polymer resin
- Effective isolation from external vibrations, thanks to a sophisticated suspension system with rubber O-rings
- New Series VA tonearm is stiffer and offers better damping than previous models
Product Considerations
- High price point
- Lacks a dustcover, making it prone to attracting dust
- New arm rest is a U-shaped cup holder which retains the arm and protects against being accidentally knocked out of the rest
- Non-removable arm
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SME Model 30: The Model 60 is a highly refined and upgraded version
Takeaway: The SME Model 60 is a top-tier turntable that offers exceptional performance, stability, and detail retrieval. It is built to last for decades and is a worthy upgrade for those seeking the best in vinyl playback.
Video review
Our take on the brand
A new undertaking to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Esoteric legacy; it's the first-ever turntable in our history.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exquisite machining and ingenious implementation worthy of deep respect; the machining and "fit 'n' finish" is grand.
- The design combines technical know-how, superior machining, and listening 'tunesmanship', resulting in well-balanced sonic performance that is resonance-free.
- Delivers a subtle musical personality that combines midband generosity with transient precision, which compliments every musical genre.
- Speed consistency is comparable to direct drive turntables.
- Produces an inviting overall subtle musical personality that combines midband generosity with transient precision.
Product Considerations
- The bottom end was kind of soft with the supplied TA-9D IKEDA-based arm.
- Less-than-flat records need attention, because the product lacks a washer/reflex clamp option.
- Constrained-layer armboards might produce a sonic upgrade.
Takeaway: The Grandioso T1 turntable provides well-balanced sound that is resonance-free. Its design allows for both grand and minuscule musical gestures.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
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
Questions? Ask the brand's dealers.
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