Review sample supplied by Hexagon Audio
Retail prices in the NL including 21% VAT:
Ingenium Plug&Play including arm and cartridge: 1.400 euro
Diva II SP: 4.100 euro
Sequel SP: 8.800 euro
TA-1 Tonearm + CA1 Cartridge: 400 euro
TA-3 Tonearm: 550 euro
TA-3 Tonearm + Nagaoka mp-150 Cartridge: 1.000 euro
Audio Origami PU7 tonearm: 3.100 in silver, 3.400 in black
As regular readers will no doubt know by now, my reviews are not always straightforward and rarely short. You could say that I can tend to review in a non-conformist manner. A lot of this has to do with my curiosity and desire to get to the bottom of things. When I am reviewing a wide range of variables, I like to see where each one takes me. And in this case, this has led to a very long article that may seem to jump all over the place at first. But, I promise, there’s a purpose behind all the steps and it will all converge in the end. And for those who want to get right down to it, I have provided a summary at the end of this article.
If you’re looking for a straightforward one-by-one review of these three turntables, I’m afraid that you will have more reading ahead than you may have anticipated. But if you’re looking to learn absolutely all the ins and outs of these turntables, how they compare to one another, how they interact with different tonearms and cartridges, and where exactly each model excels, by all means, do read on!
System Context
The three AVID turntables will be reviewed using my regular system, consisting of the CH Precision P1 phono stage, Ayon Stealth preamp, CH Precision A1.5 power amp, and Magico S1 MkII speakers.
Available for comparisons is the Origin Live Calypso mk4 with Multi-Layer Platter and Illustrious arm with Aidas Rainbow cartridge. The electronics are all used with Belden 19364 power cables while the turntables (the Origin Live included) are used with the standard cables as supplied.
The CH phono stage is extremely neutral and so are the power amp and the speakers, but the Ayon Stealth preamp has a solid, full-bodied, and slightly dark sound. While I feel that it perfectly complements the Origin Live as well as the AVIDs, this may be something to take along in any considerations when comparing my relative comments.
Ingenium with standard TA-1 arm and CA-1 cartridge
Starting with AVID’s entry-level turntable, the Ingenium comes as standard complete with a tonearm and cartridge, pre-mounted and pre-adjusted. All that needs doing after unpacking and setting up is to slide the counterweight all the way over the yoke up to its predefined position and you’re good to go. The tonearm is an AVID TA-1 (an OEM Rega RB-220) that is fitted with an AVID CA-1 cartridge that does not carry any branding, but in terms of shape, it looks a lot like an Audio Technica AT 3600 L or similar. Upon request, AVID supplied the following specs for this cartridge: Conical profile, Carbon cantilever, and 2.5mV Output. No VTF value is specified, but when the weight is in its intended position against the rubber ring on the prepared arm, this should be correct. Just out of curiosity, I measured the VTF using a Stylus pressure gauge and it indicates 1.85 grams. VTA, finally, is not adjustable as standard.
AVID TA-3 arm / Rega RB-330
Incidentally, what Audio-Technica calls a high-tech-sounding “carbon fiber” cantilever is actually carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS plastic. While that may sound inferior, there’s a reason why the material is used in the entry-level cartridges, which is that it can take a bit of rough handling and won’t damage as easily as aluminum cantilevers.
Unlike the higher-tier AVID turntables, the Ingenium uses an AC synchronous motor that connects directly to an AC outlet. Switching it on and off is done by a cord switch – simple and effective.
As a side note, all the AVID turntables’ motors are very sturdily built, even the one that comes with the Ingenium. As I found when manually rotating the motor axle before fitting the belt, you can feel that a relatively high-power motor is used, even on this entry-level model.
It seems that this is one of the foundations for all AVID designs: a powerful motor (and ever more so, as you progress up the range) and an extremely stable, 100% torsion-free chassis. Especially the latter is something to note because the Ingenium may lack the Volvere or Sequel’s complex suspension, its chassis has a less complex shape and it is every bit as massive and sturdy.
Above: the machining precision is highly impressive! After having removed the three screws, the fitting of the bearing top section is superb – even for the Ingenium. Below: the Sapphire bearing up close.
The all-important and very impressive Aluminum bearing is the very same as used by the Diva II which is similar to the Stainless Steel bearing as used by the Volvere and Sequel. All these turntables use the same Tungsten Carbide/Sapphire thrust point. The Ingenium is the only AVID model that uses a sub-platter, onto which the actual platter sits.
The Ingenium’s platter, by the way, is made from MDF, and unlike with the dearer models, its center hole is not concave but straight. Besides the simpler motor and cord switch, the lightweight MDF platter is the only other area where costs were saved. The platter top layer is cork, same as for the other AVID turntables.
Listening
Couldn’t sound any good, an MDF platter, right? Well, that’s certainly what I thought. And without beating around the bush, the Diva’s and Sequel’s aluminum platters are indeed better but regardless, the Ingenium surprised me.
When thinking of entry-level turntables, impressions of bleak mids and thin bass form in my mind. When listening to the Ingenium for the first time, however, quite the opposite happens. With the CH Precision P1 phono stage set to 47 kOhm and 40 dB gain, and using a selection of records, it’s clear that the Ingenium has ample bass and is far removed from my mental conjecture of what an entry-level turntable normally sounds like. With the Ingenium, the music sound full-bodied, smooth, relaxed, and easy to get into. My first listening was done together with an audio buddy and, honestly, we were both taken aback by how musical it sounded right off the bat.
Rhythmically, the Ingenium is positioned such that it sounds unhurried but still most definitely foot-tapping-inducing. Whatever music you play, it’s always easy to get into, both physically and emotionally.
When engaging my critical listener mode, I do notice that the resolution is not great and the speed/tempo/pacing is not quite as rock-solid as I am accustomed to. It’s not anything very blatant but when coming from a higher-end belt-drive turntable such as the Origin Live Calypso mk4 or a Quartz-locked Direct-Drive model, you do notice that those designs sound just that bit more stable. Let’s take the widely known Technics SL1200 as an example. This turntable has impeccable speed stability and fast transient behavior. While this leads to a very good performance with dance music I feel that it has always lacked tonal fulness and timbral naturalness, and ultimately it just does not sound emotional or organic to me. And this is where the Ingenium definitely has the upper hand.
Of course, as an entry-level turntable, the Ingenium can be improved upon. The player could do with more clarity and expression in the midrange and it is ultimately not as revealing or as engaging as the Thorens TD1601 or, as would later turn out, the higher-tier AVIDs. But to be fair, the Thorens is 3.249 euro without cartridge and regular Diva II (not SP) which is the next AVID up costs an extra 1150 euro and comes without an arm or cartridge
Regardless, even with this simple cartridge, the Ingenium manages to sound remarkably smooth and, ultimately, just plain musical. Just make sure to use pristine vinyl. Most of my collection consists of second-hand records, and as I quickly found out when using this conical stylus, when a record is slightly worn, shakers and hi-hats and sharp “S” es in vocals can become spitty. But there are many alternatives for the standard cartridge and nothing is stopping you from upgrading it at some point after purchase. Naturally, I will mount a better cartridge, all of which can be read further below.
I can only conclude that the Ingenium provides spectacular value for money. Remember: not only the dearer AVIDs but also most other turntables are priced without an arm, let alone a cartridge. Keep that in mind when comparing any other turntable to the Ingenium in its price range. I will admit that I was flabbergasted after hearing it for the first time. This is an all-in 1400 euro turntable??? It sounds more like double that amount.
Hi, Christian!
Could you compare sound of Avid Diva with Thorens Td1601?
Kind regards,
Jurica
Hi Jurica, certainly, this is already on the agenda:-)
Hi Christiaan,
you tried an almost mind-boggling variety of combinations. Thank you! You left out only one: trying the OL Illustrious arm on the Diva or Sequel. I’d be curious how it compares with the Audio Origami. Thanks for always bringing insightful reviews!
It felt as quite mind-boggling at times, for sure, hahaha. Indeed, a comparison with the Illustrious would certainly be interesting. However, that would require some sort of modification by means of an adapter ring since the clearance in the gap underneath the Avid’s arm board is wide not enough to fit the Illustrious arm’s 3.7 cm nut. And even if it would fit, I wouldn’t want to do that with my own arm. The Illustrious is more tweaky than it would seem upon first sight. Now that I have gotten it carefully calibrated to sound just right on the Calypso deck, I don’t want to throw off the settings again. That said, I might still do the comparison at some point in the future when reviewing a new Origin Live tonearm and if I can be supplied with the required adapter ring.
Oh, sorry! I thought the Illustrious was perfectly compatible with Rega armboards. That’s what they say. As far as not wanting to mess with a prefect setup, I agree. I have the same arm…
As far as the geometry of the mounting hole in the Avid’s top adapter plate is concerned, yes, it should be compatible. But it’s not the Rega board that is the issue. The OL nut is too large to fit in the Avid’s relatively narrow integral arm extension cavity (that is below the Rega adapter plate). I would either need a large diameter ring to clamp the arm on the bottom part of the Avid’s extension section or a narrower nut and then it should work just fine.
I see, thank you!
Hi, I know this review is a few months old now but I thought you might be interested in my set up. AVID Ingenium p&p, Aluminium platter, RB880 tonearm and a newly fitted Audio Technica OC9XSH cartridge. This sounds incredible.
Cheers
Darren.
Hi Darren, nice to hear you opted for the Ingenium. Have you listened to the standard MDF version in comparison with the aluminium platter?
Hi Christiaan,
Sorry for the late reply your message went into my junk folder.
My Ingenium came with the MDF platter, it’s not bad to be honest but sounds dead compared to the aluminium one. Timing should be improved as well due to the weight. Not cheap but I’m very pleased with it.
Ah yes, that happens sometimes:-) Thanks for your feedback, sounds like you’re hearing what I suspected and the aluminum platter is indeed a worthy upgrade. Good to know!
Hello Christian,
Thanks for review of the Avid turntable range. I was really curious about your results. I am using a avid ingenium turntable for nearly a year and I wa really impressed by the sound. Before that u used an dial 621 turntable frob th good old seventies, which was fine for listening to music but I always wanted to have a new one and it took some time to find the right player. My local hifi dealer was really impressed by the ingenium and it was the first time hearing from these brand. After purchasing it I started to upgrade the ingenium with the michell tecnoarm II, which was a huge improvement soundwise and for near ky two weeks I have the metal platter spinning on my turntable which was a huge step in musical reproduction, especially in the the midrange the body is thicker and more or stable and the Soundstage is wider and details are much clearer to differentiate. I am using an audio technica vm 95sh and I want to di an upgrade with an Hana ML or with an Nagaoka 500. Which cartridge would you prefer. I am using a perreaux Amplifier with an perreaux vp3 Phono stage?
Hi Christian, between the Nagaoka and the Hana, it is mostly a matter of choosing between pacing, dynamics, and attack (Nagaoka) and smoothness, fluidity, and refinement (Hana). And also, the cart needs to match the tonearm. The Tecnoarm is a modified Rega RB250 and knowing that the Nagaoka works well with the Rega arms, I’d say that is a safe bet, unless you want a more soothing and friendly sound, in which case the Hana might be better.
Hi all! I just bought the Ingenium turntable. I will upgrade to aluminium platter asap. But there is one thing that bothers me, I have a lot of different mats also a brass mat, which is 3mm thick, I cannot find a way to adjust the tonearm height so I can experiment with the mats, some of them I have are even thicker than 3mm. Is there a way to make the adjustment??
The tonearm and turntable offer no means of height adjustment/VTA. But you can insert thicker washers between the tonearm and arm base.
Thank You for your kind answer. Ok, I will try with the washer, although this is not really an optimal solution …
With this tonearm and all entry-level Rega tonearms, that’s the only solution there is. Of course, there are better tonearms with more adjustment features and the Ingenium is well worth the extra expenditure that comes with higher-end tonearms.
With regards to adjusting the tone arm height, look at the Mitchel Engineering VTA. I have it and it very good. Also tone arm is very limited due to the very small hole. I decided upon RB880 and This works very well with the Ingenium. I also have an ATOC9XSH cart and the metal platter. Hope this helps, Darren
Excellent suggestion, Darren! I was not aware this existed for 3-point tonearm fixations.
@Dejan, look at Michell VTA Adjuster 2 or VTA Adjuster 3. I think you will need the latter. Also note that this adjuster raises the tonearm height by a few mm even at its lowest point.
Hi Christiaan,
thanks for your review, all you write sounds really credible and as far as I can say is clearly audible too. I used the Avid Diva II first with a Jelco 250 SA and a Goldring 2500, then I changed the pickup to a Transrotor Uccelo Reference (improved GR 1042) then I bought an Roksan Tabriz Zi and finally a Acoustical Systems FIDELES pickup. Every change was a nice step upward the audiophil ladder. Lately I changed the deck and went to the Avid Diva II SP, this meant to take four or fives step at once. Now the sound is so detailed, vivid, three dimensional and rhytmically precise that I can hardly believe it. Do you think with another tonearm (SME perhaps?) the journey could go even further?
Thanks and best regards
Nice! The AVID’s basis is so good that every step you take reaps benefits. I have no personal experience with Jelco tonearms but I do know that really good arms can cost, well, an arm and a leg. In other words, I’m afraid that you’ll again hear clear improvements as you upgrade the tonearm. However, a more expensive arm is not always better, sometimes, the match is less ideal and you actually go backwards. SME tonearms have a great reputation but you can no longer get one new. Alas, there are too many good arms out there and I’ve heard too few of them for me to make a proper recommendation.
Today, I upgraded my Avid Ingenium with an Van den Hul DTT Special cartridge. The Tonarm I use is a Michell Tecnoarm II and it sounds outstanding. I can highly recommend an upgrade of the Ingenium. I also use the metal platter, which brings big improvements on the overall sound and Imaging.
Even if the Ingenium sounds surprisingly good at the price, I am not a big fan of the MDF platter. As I understand it, the difference between it and the upgrade metal platter is similar to the difference in weight: substantial!
Hey Christiaan, really nice comparison of arms, loved it! Thanks to you I ended up purchasing an Audio Origami PU7 tonearm for my AVID Volvere.
Really impressive bit of kit in combination with the AVID. The Volvere is physically the same TT as the Sequel and therefore I anlso encounter the same issue regarding the headshell rubbing the record clamp on the inner lead out grooves. Except for me the issue doesn’t occur with a few records, instead it happens with nearly all my records.
For alignment I used the Dr Feickert protractor and aligned according to Baerwald.
I was wondering if you ever managed to sort this issue. Maybe this can be fixed with a different kind of clamp? Not sure whether the thread on the AVID spindle is proprietary… maybe the AVID Acutus clamp would leave a bit more room for the headshell….
Your possible knowledge regarding this issue would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Martijn, alas, I did not manage to solve this issue. Finding another clamp might be hard even if you find one with the same thread, because the AVID clamp also pushes the record down at the edges, and you want to precisely reproduce this. I would suggest asking AVID about this, maybe they are willing to supply a clamp with a slightly smaller outer diameter.
Thanks for the advice, will do!