Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/transrotor-massimo-nero-turntable

Back in the 1990s, when big idler drive turntables like the Garrard 301 experienced a resurgence, it was common to read of listeners getting up to check they weren’t ‘running fast’, such was their dynamic delivery. The magnetic/belt-drive Massimo Nero has the opposite effect. There’s no faulting its pitch stability [see PM’s Lab Report], but its delivery can sometimes feel a little sedate. Jah Wobble’s bassline on ‘The Sun Does Rise’, from the EP of the same name [Island Records 42285 40371], had all the clarity, eyeball-rattling depth and impact I could have hoped for, but seemed to be picking its way carefully and thoughtfully in rhythmic terms, rather than romping along joyously.

Equally, the synthesised bassline and drums on the ‘Club’ remix of Fragma’s ‘Toca Me’ single [Positiva 12TIV-120] were deep-reaching, tight and impactful, but had my feet twitching, if not fully committed to tapping. Of course, if bangin’ club tunes are not ‘your thing’ then this is unlikely to be a problem! So, unless you’re a flat-earth 1980s audiophile who still values the notion of ‘Pace, Rhythm and Timing’ to the utter exclusion of all else, I would wager that for you, like me, it will be merely a passing observation.

The stylus illuminator light is a high-brightness and long-life white LED for improved visibility of the stylus tip even in a dark environment. The torque/brake speed adjustment can be adjusted individually in four steps. This, along with the rotation speed switch, and reverse play can be adjusted by switches on the main unit, under the platter.

With the platter off, you can also change the strobe LED color from the standard red to blue.

The audiophile features are a Coreless Direct Drive motor with an updated version of Technics’ Static Balance S-Shaped Tonearm. The new Coreless Direct Drive Motor is said to be better and achieves the higher torque of the SL-1210MK5 table.