Don't Think The Vinyl Renaissance Is For Real?

[MylesBAstor]

Meet Mark Levinson's first turntable! The ML No 515 designed by Harry and Mat Weisfeld and VPI. 10K for table and arm.
3D printed, gimballed arm. Debut at this week's CES Show.

[Rob]

not just a vinyl renaissance but dealers typically look to their suppliers to address the 'system approach' and provide everything the consumer wants soups to nuts, from source to amps to speakers. Harmon had everything else and its a win-win (esp for Matt) because Harmon didn't spend a dime recreating the wheel when an off the shelf solution by VPI already exists.

[MylesBAstor]

Actually Harman did spend more than a dime. Harry received R&D money from Harman for this project. It's not an off the shelf product by any stretch of the imagination.

[Metamatic]

I much prefer the gloss version

[user510]

I like the look of that turntable. Nice style. The 2nd image (post #3) looks cgi. The image in post #1 is a photo.
Gimbal pivot bearings. Hmmmm, there's a change in direction.
-Steve
edits: The turntable layout reminds me of the VPI Aries but with some styling variation.
Typically HW would layer dissimilar materials. With the Aries he would sandwich a plate of aluminum between two layers of Acrylic. On other models he has often made use of MDF supported by a plate of aluminum to stiffen the low tensile strength of the mdf. I'd assume that is what is going on with this.
Guess: MDF / aluminum / MDF with painted coatings on the MDF.

[Guest]

I kinda hope that splashing your name across the platter doesn't become a trend.

Renaissance reality is also found in all those machines Chad is buying up and refurbishing.

[Metamatic]

Its a mat, not the platter. But, yes agree.

[Per Sundell]

An unimaginative rehashing of something that is basically already available.
If Mark Levinson doesn´t know how to make their own turntable or have any own ideas why bother?
They are good at making amps. Why not focus on that?
This is just like the MacIntosh turntable ... ugly and with nothing to offer beyond a brand.

So no, I´m not impressed and do not find it interesting.

[MylesBAstor]

Truthfully, there are a few others like Clearaudio-->McIntosh. And the person who eventually started AMG tables made the parts for other tables too. Sure there's a few I've forgotten.

But it's not a rehashing, believe me. Or a me too turntable. Harry spent a lot of time working on this table. Harman (kind of like what they do with Kevin Voeck's speaker designs) gave HW a research budget that allowed him to explore things he'd have never done before. Perhaps I can get Harry over to comment some more!

[Metamatic]

Myles, you mean Brinkman. The guy who set up AMG did a lot of the machining for Brinkman for many years - then decided to create a mini-me Brinkman - AMG. Brinkman were understandably pissed, but Helmut being the gentlemen he is I believe just let it slide.

[Per Sundell]

I believe HW intensions are for the best but still. VPI are canibalizing (is that a word?) on thir own style and sales by doing this for ML.
ML on the other hand look like they are desperate to get a piece of the analog cake.
I´m inclined to believe, just like Metamatic, that it is just to cash in on the brand.

[advanced101]

I much prefer the gloss version

It's the same table. Great/ Clever photography. This a vinyl wrapped MDF table. I think they could have had pretty good package if they just went with the Acrylic sandwich platter vs. the Vinyl wrapped MDF. But that's just my opinion.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Aren't a number of the VPI tables vinyl-wrapped?

[Metamatic]

that is another reason to not even think about buying it. bullshit photoshopped shots makes it almost false advertising.

I would be pissed if I wanted the acrylic gloss finish like the photos and they only finish they have is that crappy dull matt finish.

[Bobm]

what is different from the other VPI products?

[jonathanb]

what is different from the other VPI products?

A new gimbaled tonearm that, apparently, was created for this project. And new feet. Also, a new plinth design and record weight. And an additional markup on the pricing.

[MylesBAstor]

A lot of work went into that arm believe me.

[Joe Pittman]

Like any business, it's all about making money. And the new table is helping them push their new phono stage of their latest preamps:

HARMAN’s Mark Levinson Introduces the № 515 Turntable for Uncompromising Analog Performance

The first ever turntable from Mark Levinson celebrates the 45th Anniversary of the brand

CES – LAS VEGAS – January 4, 2017 – At CES 2017, Mark Levinson by HARMAN today introduced the № 515 Turntable, designed for the discriminating analog music lover. Designed and built in partnership with industry-leader VPI Industries, the № 515 Turntable is handcrafted in the USA, and is the first turntable worthy of the Mark Levinson name.

The № 515 is the perfect complement to the Pure Phono stage included in the recently released № 526 and № 523 pre-amplifiers. A premium-caliber turntable, the № 515 leverages superior technologies and craftsmanship from VPI Industries to deliver performance, features and appearance unique to Mark Levinson.

The № 515 is based on a highly damped vinyl-wrapped MDF and aluminum sandwich main chassis. The chassis is supported by machined Delrin and Aluminum Mark Levinson feet with a vibration-damping polymer core. The 20-pound Aluminum platter rotates on an inverted bearing, which employs a hardened stainless steel shaft spinning in a phosphor bronze bushing for maximum rotational accuracy.

The powerful high torque AC synchronous motor is mounted to a separate vinyl-MDF-Aluminum sandwich chassis and housed in its own mechanically isolated enclosure. A precision-machined pulley and triple belt drive system provide smooth, quiet operation. A custom-designed, low-distortion analog oscillator and discrete, class AB power amplifier deliver pristine power to the synchronous motor for accurate 33 and 45 RPM operation.

The № 515 features a gimbal-mounted, 3D-printed tonearm with integral headshell, stainless steel counterweight, and discrete internal cartridge lead routing. The tonearm is mounted to a rigid, machined Aluminum arm base featuring on-the-fly adjustable vertical tracking angle. A custom designed stainless steel record weight and platter mat ensure maximum stability of playback.

“The № 515 is being released during a time of rapid growth and resurgence in turntable and vinyl record sales,” said Jim Garrett, Director of Marketing and Product Management, HARMAN. “It celebrates our 45th anniversary and provides a first-class analog source for our new 500 Series.”

“This turntable was engineered to be a perfect complement our Pure Phono stage. The warmth, fidelity and overall listening experience delivered by the № 515 absolutely must be heard to be appreciated,” said Todd Eichenbaum, Director of Engineering, HARMAN.

[Harry Weisfeld]

Working with Harmon International is a trip! They are great engineers, they are smart, engaging, and know how to 3D compile almost anything. The design was all done in 3D CAD then turned into prototypes and then made for real, testing every step along the way. Easy when you do 6 billion a year!!

The table uses some VPI regular parts combined with completely new engineering, like a dedicated ADS power supply built into the motor housing, and the first commercial use of my 3D printed gimbal arm that I told Myles about almost a year ago, using ABEC 9 ball bearings. We did some serious listening and measuring with the Atlas, the TSAR, the A95, and the Hyperion and can only say that the table is doing everything well. Very, very low wow, flutter, and rumble, world class channel separation (means low jitter) and a noise floor like the Avenger. Very pleased with the design and hope it does well. Sonically it is worth the money, physically it is a personal decision, if you love the look of Levinson you will love this table. For me, we can put our name behind it and know it is doing the right job and will work well with the new Levinson phono/preamp that I have and love in my system.

HW

[Rob]

congrats! here's wishing your association with Harmon is long lasting and profitable

[MylesBAstor]

Working with Harmon International is a trip! They are great engineers, they are smart, engaging, and know how to 3D compile almost anything. The design was all done in 3D CAD then turned into prototypes and then made for real, testing every step along the way. Easy when you do 6 billion a year!!

The table uses some VPI regular parts combined with completely new engineering, like a dedicated ADS power supply built into the motor housing, and the first commercial use of my 3D printed gimbal arm that I told Myles about almost a year ago, using ABEC 9 ball bearings. We did some serious listening and measuring with the Atlas, the TSAR, the A95, and the Hyperion and can only say that the table is doing everything well. Very, very low wow, flutter, and rumble, world class channel separation (means low jitter) and a noise floor like the Avenger. Very pleased with the design and hope it does well. Sonically it is worth the money, physically it is a personal decision, if you love the look of Levinson you will love this table. For me, we can put our name behind it and know it is doing the right job and will work well with the new Levinson phono/preamp that I have and love in my system.

HW

How many hours you have on the new Levinson phono?

What's the deal on the Tsar. Art D. reviewed it but it hasn't garnered a lot of attention. Frank Schroeder had one at RMAF but don't think he ever got it singing.

[Asamel]

Will that arm fit a VPI classic?

[Ritmo]

I like the look. Thx to Harry for sharing more insights on the design and implementation.

[SundayNiagara]

Is that arm exclusive to the Levinson, or will it be released on other, VPI 'tables? Also, will it be produced in a shorter version?