Analog Source of 1996
Naim ARO tonearm ($2000; reviewed by Markus Sauer & Wes Phillips, Vol.16 No.6, June 1993; Vol.19 No.2, February 1996 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
AudioQuest 7000 Fe5 phono cartridge ($2550; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Clearaudio Insider phono cartridge ($7500; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
Lyra Clavis Da Capo phono cartridge ($1895; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Rockport Series 6000 air-bearing tonearm ($4500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
Transfiguration Temper phono cartridge ($3800; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.7, July 1996)
VPI TNT Jr. turntable ($2800; reviewed by Steven Stone, Vol.18 Nos.1 & 11, January & November 1995) The ARO tonearm, while not a new design, was nonetheless the clear winner in this category—not least because WP, RJR, MC, and Markus Sauer consider it their reference. The Naim is characterized by "an inner balance and harmony consistent with the musical message," maintains MC. Yet it is the ARO's lively portrayal of rhythmic properties that seems to endear it to most. The ARO's tonal neutrality and lack of additive colorations also make it one of the most balanced-sounding pivoted tonearms in Class A of Stereophile's "Recommended Components." WP does caution that the arm dictates careful cartridge matching, since it lacks overhang adjustment.
AudioQuest 7000 Fe5 phono cartridge ($2550; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Clearaudio Insider phono cartridge ($7500; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
Lyra Clavis Da Capo phono cartridge ($1895; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Rockport Series 6000 air-bearing tonearm ($4500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
Transfiguration Temper phono cartridge ($3800; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.7, July 1996)
VPI TNT Jr. turntable ($2800; reviewed by Steven Stone, Vol.18 Nos.1 & 11, January & November 1995) The ARO tonearm, while not a new design, was nonetheless the clear winner in this category—not least because WP, RJR, MC, and Markus Sauer consider it their reference. The Naim is characterized by "an inner balance and harmony consistent with the musical message," maintains MC. Yet it is the ARO's lively portrayal of rhythmic properties that seems to endear it to most. The ARO's tonal neutrality and lack of additive colorations also make it one of the most balanced-sounding pivoted tonearms in Class A of Stereophile's "Recommended Components." WP does caution that the arm dictates careful cartridge matching, since it lacks overhang adjustment.
