The subtly and nuance in Young’s quiet delivery was full of emotive layering that worked well in portraying his message. For example, Young’s vocals were opened up to reveal a host of new detail. Upper mids displayed a decidedly rich tonality, occupying the wide soundstage. It sat behind Young’s voice, glowering with the sort of authority that only thick-necked night-club doormen fed on dog food can really portray. There was also appreciable bass shimmer from the electric guitar which throbbed with potential power. This rock track displayed a focused bass with rim shots that were hit with real precision. SOUND QUALITYĪfter setting up the Ingenium, I began with Neil Young’s portentous and brooding Down By The River which is bass heavy with a rolling percussion and a quiet delivery. There’s no cover but you can buy one as an extra. The clamp is included, as is the isolation feet and cork platter mat.ĪVID has used the same optimised anti-vibration elastomer used in the Diva II and a mains powered version of the motor employed in the Diva II and within a bespoke housing. Other combinations and arm fitting are available upon request. Optional models offer standard 9″ SME fitting (for a SME M2-9), 12″ SME fitting and also twin arm options of two 9″ SME or one of each 9″ and 12″ SME fitting. The basic Ingenium package sits on a very strong T-shaped chassis and comes complete with a Pro-Ject 9CC tonearm (that’s the model I reviewed). So, in sound terms, what does a ‘budget’ Avid give you that a genuine budget deck, like the Planar 1, does not? Why would a first-time audiophile buyer bother to save all that extra cash to purchase an Ingenium when they could just as easily get a Rega and lots of vinyl? Relative to the money spent, is it worth it? It is a well-regarded budget deck, offering a clean midrange and a speedy attack. Those very audiophiles would, I believe, find the Rega a very pleasant listen indeed. It’s the well-heeled audiophile market where Avid maintains its interest. Of course, Avid’s Conrad Mas would exclaim that the Rega is aimed at exactly the audience which Avid has no wish to plunder. If you are looking at the true budget sector, then you are looking at something like a Rega Planar 1 for around £248, sporting an internal power supply, resin platter and MM cartridge. No truly budget turntable costs £1,610 to get up and running (unless you decide to split hairs by calling it ‘upper budget’ or somesuch). In the real world, however, it’s nothing of the sort. HiFi enthusiasts and the cognoscenti might agree.
In terms of quality, this is it, it ain’t going no further down the ladder than this. The company makes a play upon the fact that it is giving the audiophile its rock bottom design. Paul Rigby reviews Avid’s Ingenium turntableĪs Avid has it, the Ingenium is its budget turntable. A budget turntable for people with a large one? Budget that is.