Continuing the discussion of turntables. Let’s also recall the other key aspects:
- size (footprint),
- weight,
- user-friendliness,
- durability.
Size
In some circles, “size matters,” of course 😉 But seriously, none of us has infinite shelf space, so both BennyAudio turntables have been designed with a minimal footprint. The tonearm does extend beyond the main outline of the plinth, but it doesn’t require any extra shelf area—just some free space around it.
Weight
Here, too, you have different “belief systems.” Some people swear by lightweight turntables, others by mass loaders. BennyAudio turntables definitely lean toward mass loading but without going over the top:
- Immersion weighs about 30 kg,
- Odyssey weighs about 60 kg.
Weight is crucial for managing vibrations, elastic waves, and inertia. Personally, I haven’t yet heard a great-sounding lightweight turntable, though that may change someday.
User-Friendliness
In other words, easy, hassle-free operation. It always amuses me to hear about turntables where you have to “spin up the platter, wait a minute for it to reach the correct speed, adjust the humidity, turn on the battery-powered motors,” and so forth.
Maybe the only “abstract” step that might help all of us is doing six push-ups before playing each record 😉
But seriously, the turntable should work for us, not the other way around. It’s a tool for listening to music. It needs to spin up and brake on its own (quickly and reliably), keep itself in check, not lose calibration, allow easy speed adjustments, and make tonearm settings a breeze. Everything should be obvious and straightforward.
User-friendliness also implies easy servicing. For instance:
- Replacing the electronics in the Immersion takes about 15 minutes (proved)
- Changing the bearing oil is straightforward (max 10 minutes)
- Switching out the tonearm (if necessary) doesn’t take long either.
Durability
Naturally, this is crucial. That’s why at bennyAudio, I don’t use risky or short-lived solutions like magnetic suspensions, air pumps, multiple belts (they never work), multiple motors (they’ll never be better than one), complicated lubrication systems, or soft materials in the platter bearing. Once a turntable is set up correctly, it shouldn’t need any service for two or three years. The only optional task in the meantime is changing the bearing oil—and that’s it. The bearing itself is practically indestructible; on units used for years, there’s no sign of wear. The same goes for the motor—it’s built for heavy-duty work, so a turntable is like a vacation for it.
Durability also applies to the turntable’s finish. That’s the main reason I don’t use anodized, brushed aluminum coatings. The manufacturers of aluminum parts often urge me to anodize because it looks stunning. But anodizing can be fairly delicate, and my priority is a finish that’s easy to restore and highly resistant to wear. That’s why I rely on powder coating. It may not be as flashy as anodized, brushed aluminum, but in 5 or 10 years, it will look exactly the same. And if necessary, it’s easy to repair.
If you have any questions regarding BennyAudio products, technology, or design, please feel free to ask.