Review Details
RT83 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
Product Rating:
| Overall Performance |
Product Review (submitted on April 18, 2023):
I can't be more pleased. I did a ton of research on turntables prior to purchasing the RT83. Here's what it came down to. If I buy a super expensive Turntable (TT) (I have never owned a TT nor have any experience with one) how would I know if it sounds good if I've never owned one before. It didn't make sense to spend a lot on something I may not like. I usually won't buy the first model of something because I believe there are bugs to work out to become a good product. That being said, after all my research, I bought the RT83. I bought this model because the stylus was stated to be better and "if" I want to upgrade it, to what I dont know, I can.
I can't speak to the instructions for setup because I didn't use them I watched a YouTube video that walked you through everything step by step.
It took me ~30 minutes from opening the box to dropping the needle on my first Album.... maybe 40 Minutes, its not a race and its better you take your time and you will get it right on the first try. Watch the video, pause it at each step, go back and watch it again if you want......too easy. All the scary talk online about not setting the Anti Skate and Tracking Force Bla, Bla, having to be dead-on or your TT will explode is nonsense. Watch the video, it will take you through it. Piece of cake!
Owning a TT takes a bit of care. Not like just wiping down the exterior of your AV equipment. With a TT, you need to make sure it is level, once level, clean the vinyl, and stylus before each album side is played. I also purchased the Fluance Record cleaning device and the TT weight. I dont mind pulling an album out, setting it on the platter, cleaning the album with the brush and then the felt side. Gently clean the stylus with the stylus brush. I add the weight to the platter (I do this because a dirty album damages a stylus. You don't want to listen to a dirty album anyway). I start the TT drop the needle and the analog sound, to me, is better on my system, than my digital sources. It's warm, full, and spacial.
If I spent more would it sound better? I no longer care, the RT83 sounds incredibly fantastic, looks gorgeous and in my opinion, lacks nothing......Well might I suggest, a good clean album and, a comfortable chair.