Features

Rockport Technologies System Sirius III turntable (review) ($73,750 with tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.8, August 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Basis Gold Debut Vacuum turntable ($8200; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.1, January 2000)
Grado Reference Platinum phono cartridge ($300; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.23 No.4, April 2000)
Lyra Helikon phono cartridge ($2495; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.8, August 2000)
Music Hall MMF 5 turntable ($499 with arm and cartridge; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.7, July 2000)
SME Model 10 turntable with M10 tonearm ($5995; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.4, April 2000)
Transfiguration Temper Supreme phono cartridge ($3800; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.2, February 2000)
van den Hul Colibri phono cartridge ($6000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.8, August 2000)

Michael Fremer's review of the Rockport Technologies Sirius III, Andy Payor's ultimate LP-player design, was greeted with howls of protest in some camps, as witnessed by the October 2000 issue's "Letters" column. "Somebody has way too much time and money on their hands," wrote one correspondent, while another suggested that MF should be "made to turn around and press his nose firmly into the crack of his analog corner." Both writers were outraged by the $73,750 cost of the made-to-order Rockport, and by Mikey's assertion that he preferred the sounds of his LPs mastered to CD-R with the Rockport to playing the same vinyl "live" on Stereophile's Analog Source of 1998, the Simon Yorke Designs Series 7. But when push comes to shove, the Rockport is, according to the not-easily-impressed Mr. F., "the finest piece of audio equipment I have heard or owned." It takes LP playback to a new level.