If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your record collection, but you’re facing area limitations that make a classic stereo formula unfulasure with the turntable and vinyl components, you need your vinyl to sound better than a vinyl turntable connected to a wireless speaker. Don’t need to spend hours setting up and perfectly placing a stereo and speakers?I just finished my Andover Audio Model One review. It is a high-end all-in-one audio formula that is worth every penny of its $1,999 price.
The Model One is even less difficult to install than I expected. The turntable and cartridge are delivered pre-installed. The remaining steps are simple, thanks to the included commands that are transparent and concecised. The belt and plate tray are installed, the counterweight added, the reading arm balanced and the non-slip weight placed in place. The lid slides into the pre-installed hinges.
As it is an all-in-one formula with a 270-degree sound, it is not known where to place the speakers for optimal sound or where to hide the cables. Basically, it takes you to a convenient position and plugs it in. There is even an RF remote control for convenience.
In total, it took 15 minutes from unpacking to the location of the first recording.
Setting up the Model One makes a very clever first impression, but its appearance seals the deal. It’s a high quality system. The front and sides are governed by a black cloth that covers the speakers, the frame is walnut, not walnut paper, but a genuine walnut that looks like a piece of furniture, and there is a bit of tasteful steel embellishment. a backlit billboard with a bachelor button. Like all in one in a wooden cabinet, it goes back a bit to antiquity, but looks modern and solid.
If the technique sounds familiar, it’s because andover Audio’s design team was the RECORD PLAYER I reviewed last year. It was a very intelligent system, but Andover is now focusing on releasing systems under his own brand. And they’ve done everything, they can in this one.
There’s been a call for all-in-one audio systems. Not everyone has the area or budget for a stereo component system. But this form can be a challenge, especially when a vinyl turntable is a component of the system. Speakers cause a lot of vibrations and vibrations are the enemy when listening to discs. Jamting speakers in a cabinet with turntables (especially high-powered ones) can end very badly.
All-in-one formulas can be affected by resonance, comments, and, in excessive cases, recordings can skip. Andover is responding to this challenge with its patented IsoGroove technology. I’ve already noticed it in action with the company’s SpinBase speaker formula for vinyl. record player (you can read my review here), and it works as advertised.
Whatever the reinforcement and cushioning of the Model One cabinet as a component of this IsoGroove design, it is effective. I can spin a disc and increase the volume without recoil or distortion.
The Model One has already raised the bar against mass-market all-in-one systems with its horny design and walnut cabinet, and takes things to the next point with its integrated vinyl turntable.
This is based on Pro-Ject’s popular Deyet Carbon Esprit SB. Includes premium features such as a carbon fiber arm and an acrylic plate. Handles 33- and forty-five-rpm recordings (with simple gear shifting). It can also be used to play recordings at 78 rpm, if you manually replace a strap and upgrade to an optional Ortofon 2M78 stylus. Therefore, it is not practical to pay attention to the 78, unless you are doing so for long periods of time, but it is definitely possible.
Only this deck costs around $599. Si you’re wondering how an all-in-one audio formula can charge $1,999, this vinyl platform is largely the reason. It’s a wonderful selection and even offers an upgrade path, some other all-in-one rarity. The Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge will make most listeners more than happy, but you have the option to connect an Ortofon 2M Blue stylus, or even a 2M Bronze stylus for a simple upgrade.
Considering that it has the impression of a rotating vinyl, the Model One will produce a very impressive sound. The company has a high-powered Class D internal amplifier and drives a set of six speakers: 4 3. 5-inch aluminum membrane woofers and a couple of Air Motion Transformer tweeters. A black cloth covers the speakers, which are located on the front and on both sides so that they can provide a 270-degree sound.
There are several modes of listening, this is where genuine magic happens. The controllers are able to offer, mono, stereo and other 3 degrees of panoramic audio. The mono and stereo are what you expect. With panoramic modes, the Model One amplifier is able to offer a very convincing simulation of a configuration with highly spaced speakers, with a strangely wide soundscape. And you don’t want to sit directly in front of the formula for a wonderful listening experience. During testing, I played a lot with those panoramic modes and in my setup (the formula in a closet along a wall on an open floor), “Panoramic M” is the listening mode of choice.
In addition to the amazing spatial tricks, the controllers and amplifier provide a very satisfying sound. The music is warm, the 4 woofers offer decent basses and tweeters deliver the high notes. There is a lot of volume on the faucet, more than enough for the music to sound loud enough on the floor of the house.
You may not update a stereo audiophile component system, however, after listening to the Model One, you will never have to go back to your portable Bluetooth speaker again. Even to stream Bluetooth AudioArray.
The Pro-Ject vinyl turntable with its Ortofon 2M Silver mobile provided a dynamic sound. It’s a little bright, but it deserves to fade as it goes along. The Model One equalizer allows you to adjust the treble and bass, so it’s quite simple to customize the sound to your personal tastes if you locate the top finish a little too energetic. The cartridge also tracked the used discs well, which are not loose from imperfections.
One of the great problems with promoting the Model One is that it is an all-in-one system. It looks great, sounds smart and doesn’t want any additional components.
However clever this formula sounds, there will be those who crave a deeper bass rumbling. Something else your 4 woofers can handle. You may like dance music with loud basses, or maybe you need your formula all in one to take care of the sound of your TV as well. That’s why Andover has included a SUB output so you can connect an active subwoofer.
There are also all the inputs and outputs you need, adding optical inputs, RCA (perfect for a CD player), and you can even go through USB if you need to extract vinyl on your PC.
If you need to maintain the look of the Model One, Andover Audio offers you a corresponding Subwoofer Model One ($799). It features the same hardwood, black fabric and steel moldings, while it includes two 10-inch pilots and its own 150W Class D amplifier. .
Do you need a forged surface to place the Model One or lack of garage for your disc collection?Andover also has a solution to any of those problems with Model One Stands ($299 higher and $199 lower). Each can contain up to one hundred vinyl discs, are stackable and fit perfectly to the look of the Model One system.
While the Model One has a wide range of inputs, it lacks one that is notoriously lacking in a trendy audio system: Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi can be complicated. This is an evolving system (lately we are moving from 802. 11 ac to Wi-Fi 6) and we also have to consider patented Wi-Fi audio systems, such as Apple’s AirPlay.
Andover took the resolution of leaving Wi-Fi connectivity to the user, the company has included a 3. 5mm input which is a combined analog/optical connection, which when used as an optical connection can take care of 24-bit /192 kHz audio. The 3. 5 mm input also incorporates automatic signal detection to activate the formula if it detects a connection. This access is best for connecting the Wi-Fi audio adapter of your choice, such as a Google Chromecast or Andover Streamer Hi. -Res Songbird. I opted for Apple AirPlay by connecting to an Apple Airport Express (read my instructions here).
The fact is that Wi-Fi connectivity might not be integrated, however, there is a port to seamlessly power on your favorite method. Even if you don’t, you can still stream music wirelessly via built-in Bluetooth.
When you pay attention to vinyl, there’s nothing better than a classic stereo setup, with a vinyl turntable, an amplifier and a couple of speakers; However, Andover Audio’s Model One is getting very close.
It’s not cheap, but with the cost of assembling an audio formula with a high-quality amplifier, speakers and turntables, $1,999 is far from unreasonable.
With its multi-controller configuration and robust amplifier, the Model One does an incredibly compelling task by replicating this classic stereo setup in a single case. Don’t worry about the position of the speakers, without plugging in the components, just one position and plug it in. The built-in Pro-Ject Carbon Esprit SB cartridge with the Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge takes full advantage of your vinyl collection, while Andover’s IsoGroove generation will allow you to spin discs with higher volume without having to worry about resonance or feedback.
Add the beautiful walnut quality furniture used for your wardrobe and the generous variety of inputs/outputs, and it’s seamlessly the most productive all-in-one audio formula I’ve ever used.
Disclosure: Andover Audio provided a style for evaluation, but did not contribute to this review.
My main project is for readers to enjoy the most productive delight of their gadgets, electronic products and customer accessories, through practical reviews, reviews and