Wave Kinetics NVS Reference Turntable Review on Positive Feedback

[Jtinn]

David Robinson just published about his 5 year experience with the Wave Kinetics NVS Reference Turntable and the Durand Tonearm Telos. It can be read here:

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-wave-kinetics-nvs-turntable-durand-telos-12-tonearm-ortofon-anna-mc-photo-essay-review/

[grad]

Thanks for sharing Jonathan!
Very well written by David Robinson,

I might add that I've been Extremely Happy with my NVS, Telos, Anna combination for the last few years as well.

Thank You!

[Jtinn]

That's great to hear Gary!

[MylesBAstor]

David Robinson just published about his 5 year experience with the Wave Kinetics NVS Reference Turntable and the Durand Tonearm Telos. It can be read here:


http://positive-feedback.com/audio-d...-essay-review/

I still find the comeback/resurrection of direct-drive turntables amusing. Direct drive tables, like saturated fat, were vilified for decades. David R's comment on speed control is also striking and many have commented on that: too many/too rapid speed adjustments are as bad as too few.
Indeed, some feel that over-correction was a major issue with the first generation of direct drive tables.

It's also great in this day and age of mono, stereo, multiple stereo arm to have a table that easily accommodates multiple arms!

The NVS table's performance has never ceased to impress me--whether at shows or especially having heard it recently at Mike Lavigne's home--with its sound. I also think that properly implemented direct-drive tables can bring us much closer to the sound of tape than previously thought. Not cheap, but the table really delivers on its promise. Indeed, it's the quietness of tables the current generation of tables is what sets them apart from the tables made just 10 or 20 years ago. But it's also interesting that no matter how well built--NVS, AF1, VPI, Basis--all tables seem to benefit from addition vibration isolation. Wonder just how much isolation is enough (for those who can't put the table in another room anyway--and even there it's not immune).

So will there be a less expensive version of the NVS coming out Jonathan?

[Jtinn]

Yes, we have been working on a less expensive version. Here is a video:

https://vimeo.com/29392614

[PeterA]

I still find the comeback/resurrection of direct-drive turntables amusing. Direct drive tables, like saturated fat, were vilified for decades. David R's comment on speed control is also striking and many have commented on that: too many/too rapid speed adjustments are as bad as too few.
Indeed, some feel that over-correction was a major issue with the first generation of direct drive tables.

Yes, there is interest in DD tables like the NVS, the Dobbins Beat and the VPI. But don't forget the two newest tables which have gotten so much media and forum buzz the last couple of years: TechDas and Kronos. These are belt drive and offer isolation/suspension. I think it is difficult to say there is a trend one way or the other.

I enjoyed reading the article and seeing the set up photos with Joel Durand and Jonathan Tinn. Have there been any direct comparisons with other tables at this price point like the TechDas AF2, Kronos Pro or VPI?

I found the discussion of the isolation bass particularly fascinating because it claims to control three types of vibrations: ground borne, airborne and also those originating in the turntable itself. It is not clear how it does that, but that would be impressive. I would think that there would be quite a demand and market for this platform beyond just for owners of the NVS. Is it marketed as a separate product?

[Jtinn]

I have heard direct comparisons with the Rockport, Continuum, Beat, Kronos and quite a few others.

Unfortunately the platform is made and tuned specifically for the NVS. We have no desire to market it separately.

[Bill Hart]

Anybody that refers to the Repo Man soundtrack in a review is allrigght by me! Of the lot of you, Durand looks the part- mad professor. Table looks nice in those pics. Clean, uncluttered. So, the rhetorical question--do the different top line tables, using same arm/cartridge, sound different? I've got to assume that a direct drive table is going to have different sonic characteristics than a belt drive (not expressing personal preference, but it's been a lifetime since I used DD).

[MylesBAstor]

[QUOTE=PeterA;n29237]

Yes, there is interest in DD tables like the NVS, the Dobbins Beat and the VPI.

Don't forget Brinkmann and Grand Prix!

But don't forget the two newest tables which have gotten so much media and forum buzz the last couple of years: TechDas and Kronos. These are belt drive and offer isolation/suspension. I think it is difficult to say there is a trend one way or the other.

I enjoyed reading the article and seeing the set up photos with Joel Durand and Jonathan Tinn. Have there been any direct comparisons with other tables at this price point like the TechDas AF2, Kronos Pro or VPI?

I found the discussion of the isolation bass particularly fascinating because it claims to control three types of vibrations: ground borne, airborne and also those originating in the turntable itself. It is not clear how it does that, but that would be impressive. I would think that there would be quite a demand and market for this platform beyond just for owners of the NVS. Is it marketed as a separate product?

I think David has the Kronos and Walker tables in house right now.

It's tough getting an AF table from Bob. I tried, we had discussions vis a vis the AF2 or 3 and it died on the vine.

I think like everything else in high-end audio, there's always a bunch of mutually exclusive tradeoffs when designing gear. It's the which tradeoffs the designer chooses that determines the outcome. Again, it's also execution rather than just design that counts too. That's what the new gen of DD tables show.

[Albert Porter]

David Robinson just published about his 5 year experience with the Wave Kinetics NVS Reference Turntable and the Durand Tonearm Telos. It can be read here:


http://positive-feedback.com/audio-d...-essay-review/

Great review Jonathan.

[Jtinn]

Thank you.

[Albert Porter]

You work hard at high end audio, you certainly deserve the reward. Hope to see you at RMAF

[Jtinn]

Unfortunately I am not going to attend RMAF this year. Hopefully you can plan for LAAS in June!

[Jtinn]

Anybody that refers to the Repo Man soundtrack in a review is allrigght by me! Of the lot of you, Durand looks the part- mad professor. Table looks nice in those pics. Clean, uncluttered. So, the rhetorical question--do the different top line tables, using same arm/cartridge, sound different? I've got to assume that a direct drive table is going to have different sonic characteristics than a belt drive (not expressing personal preference, but it's been a lifetime since I used DD).

Sure they sound different. It is quite noticeable as well. Some differences you will hear will be in pace, tonality, noise floor and space.