Products of the Year

Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable ($30,000 inc. tonearm; reviewed by Ken Micallef in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)
J.Sikora Reference turntable ($47,000 w/o tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Channel D Lino C 3.3 phono preamplifier ($3799 basic model, $7082 as reviewed; Michael Fremer and John Atkinson in June & July 2022, Vol.45 Nos.6 & 7 review)
Linn Klimax LP12 record playing system ($30,120 inc. tonearm, MC cartridge, and phono stage; reviewed by Herb Reichert in June 2022, Vol.45 No.6 review)
Sutherland Engineering Little Loco Mk2 phono preamplifier ($3800; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.45 No.1 review)

Two winners, both moderately expensive turntables—though, because the J.Sikora price doesn't include a tonearm or cartridge (the arm adds about $9000), the J.Sikora deck costs considerably more.

But enough about price—what about performance?

In reviewing the Clearaudio Reference Jubilee, Ken Micallef noted that it didn't sound at all like his Kuzma rig, with its big soundstage, ample weight, and good drive. Instead, the Clearaudio "sounded like nothing ever heard here in my urban listening salon.

"The Reference Jubilee's sound combined vivid detail retrieval, forceful dynamics, a delicate, refined top end, and a translucent midrange. Levels of resolution, clarity, transparency, and trueness-to-source left me vinyl-shocked and thinking, 'So that's what's on this recording.' ... Records surrendered their secrets, their inner lives, their time-secured, soul-charged beauty.

"I didn't just hear more music; I heard more life force, a deeper recorded experience."

What about the J.Sikora Reference? Whichever tonearm Mikey used—the supplied J.Sikora KV12 VTA ($9000, with a 10% discount if bought with the 'table) or Mikey's reference 'arm, the very expensive SAT CF1-09—the "'table delivered Impressions of Duke Ellington's percussive transients with sparkling, effervescent clarity." The J.Sikora Reference, Mikey wrote, produced an "iron-fisted, well-tuned bottom end. ... It's bass I dreamed of having as a kid, the kind that kicks you in the stomach and leaves you wanting more!"

"Everything about the J.Sikora Reference—its well-tuned design and construction, its outstanding instruction manual, its fine power supply and 40lb, multimaterial platter, and of course the sound—make it a 'must audition' turntable at and well above its price."

About the Vote
Last year's competition for Analog Source of the Year included two mega-priced 'tables, the OMA K3 ($363,000) and the TechDas Air Force Zero ($450,000). Those 'tables, though, split the vote, and their extravagant prices seemed to repel some value-conscious reviewers. As a result, two less-expensive 'tables—the Clearaudio Concept Active Wood ($3700) and the Thorens TD 124 DD ($11,499)—split the prize.

This year we have another split decision—and another co-win for a Clearaudio 'table. In second place (or is it third?), the Linn Klimax LP12 system trailed the joint winners by two votes. The two phono preamps in the category, from Channel D and Sutherland Engineering, also made a strong showing, sharing third place.