Keith Monks Audio Works debuted at RMAF 2013 the Discovery One record cleaning machine, based upon a Chinese-made "replica" of a Technics SL-1200 turntable.
Please forgive the blurry photo—not that the Piccola is a visual stunner— but this little box is packed with tech and is particularly useful for those using Channel D's Pure Vinyl™ digital RIAA compensation for vinyl ripping to high resolution digital.
Odyssey's new Suspiro MM/MC phono preamplifier is based upon two independent gain stages using wide-bandwidth FET op-amps and hand-matched to less than 0.5% in the RIAA network. Gain is switchable 40, 46, 54 and 60dB. Loading via dip switches is 50-100-1K-47kohms.
VPI introduced the production version of its new direct drive turntable. It features a three phase AC induction motor with computer controlled platter speed. The platter of aluminum weighs twenty two pounds. Speed accuracy is claimed to be 01% or "5 sigma" (a standard deviation statistical term) at both 33 1/3 and 45rpm.
San Francisco based Pelotone has been named the new American Koetsu cartridge distributor. The company will also handle all Koetsu re-tipping. Shown is the $10,950 Koetsu Azul. Mounted on a top of the Pro-Ject line Signature turntable, driving Doshi electronics and a pair of Wilson Alexia speakers, the Azul produced some of the sweetest, yet most detailed sound heard at RMAF 2013.
Music Hall's new, striking- looking Ikura turntable is going into production. The Ikura is a split-plinth design, with the motor located on a lower platform (not shown in photo) isolated via points from the main plinth. It includes a Pro-Ject sourced alloy tone arm, the sound of which Music Hall preferred to the carbon fiber arm.