AMG Viella Forte turntable and 12JT tonearm Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable with Castellon stand; SAT CF1-09 tonearm; Ortofon Anna Diamond cartridge.
Preamplification: darTZeel NHB-18S line preamplifier; Ypsilon MC-10L, MC-16L step-up transformers; Ypsilon VPS-100, CH Precision P1 phono preamps, the latter with CH Precision X1 PSU.
Power amplifiers: VAC Statement 452 iQ Musicbloc and darTZeel NHB 468 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx.
Cables: Interconnect: TARA Labs Zero and Air Evolution, Analysis Plus Silver Apex, Stealth Sakra, and Indra, Luminous Audio Technology Silver Reference. Speaker: MasterBuilt AudioQuest Dragon, TARA Labs Omega EvolutionSP. AC: AudioQuest Dragon and Thunder, Dynamic Design Neutron GS Digital.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner; CAD GC1 and GC3 Ground Controls; Oyaide AC wall box and receptacles; ASC Tube Traps; RPG BAD, Skyline, and Abffusor panels; Stillpoints Aperture II Room panels; Synergistic Research UEF products (various); Symposium Ultra platform; HRS Signature SXR and Stillpoints ESS stands; Stillpoints and Finite Elemente Pagode amplifier stands; Audiodharma Cable Cooker; Furutech record demagnetizer; Furutech deStat; Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe, Audio Desk System Pro, and Kirmuss Audio KA-RC-1 record-cleaning machines.—Michael Fremer

COMPANY INFO
Analog Manufaktur Germany (AMG UG)
US distributor: Sierra Sound
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Anton's picture

Ribbed vs. smooth, a classic conundrum.

For 2K more, do you think the ribbed plinth offers greater pleasure?

Sujay's picture

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the comprehensive review of the the Viella Forte. I have owned the Original Viella for over 5 years now and have always been wondering how the Viella Forte ( and the original Viella) compare with the Brinkmann Balance.

Will be great to have your views

Thanks

Sujay

tonykaz's picture

How many readers live on this Planet of yours where values come at such high costs?

We just had the worst Quarter in the history of Capitalism.

What price is paid for hubris?

Tony in Venice

ps. "no play in the Vertical axis". hmm. All tolerance is measurable, certainly the manufacturer knows the actual measurements ( not that it probably matters to most people other than engineers )

Anton's picture

Tony, nobody who could have afforded this baby last year can’t afford it now.

For the people who couldn’t afford it then, it’s even more out of reach now...but that won’t affect sales!

The demographics of potential buyers for this rig have not been altered by recent events!

Michael Fremer's picture

Do you post similar comments on automobile websites under reviews of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys etc.? Or do you do this only on a website that covers high performance audio gear? Just curious.You should know that according to people in the industry with whom I've spoken, well off consumers now stuck at home ares spending more than ever on upgrading audio gear especially big loudspeakers. Is this fair during this recession? No. But economic justice is not our field of expertise. The S&P keeps skyrocketing up and up. Makes no sense to me whatsoever. Actually it makes no sense to even economists! I'm going now to play some records. I can make sense of them!

tonykaz's picture

I'm an Industrial trouble shooter by trade.

My background is Engineering and Manufacturing.

I'm an Analytical Scientist, I work with Analytical Scientists.

I've worked in the Analog Field, I understand transducers and have manufactured Analog type of devices.

I also understand the hubris of presenting outrageously priced gear to an audience of financially struggling, it reads like intentional elitist smugness.

Tony in Venice

ps. I and my peers are critical of all Automotive developments, especially the extravagant Italian 'Look at me' $6 per mile type brands.

ps.2 ) I had a look at this turntable review because it reminded me of the Systemdeks that I imported back in the 1980s

Kursun's picture

Nice looking piece of mechanical engineering...
But $2000 for laser etching of the top plate? That's completely irrational!
I would probably buy a whole new turntable for $2000 that would give me same pleasure.

Ortofan's picture

... a turntable, it's an SME for me - or nothing.

Michael Fremer's picture

You know better than that! There are many great turntable designs out there.

Ortofan's picture

... equally expensive turntable/tonearm combinations out there, but if you were about to spend about $30K on a new turntable and tone arm, what would be your choice?

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