When my trusty old Thorens TD-145 mkII finally died after 44 years of service, I re-launched into the burgeoning field of true hi-fidelity turntables and my, oh my it has been quite an Odyssey until discovering the Alva TT.
SInce I have been asked why I prefer the Alva TT over the similarly priced table (no names), why not explain this on the Cambridge Audio website. Well here it goes;
--The ___________ is a nice turntable in its own right, but it has a certain tonal quality that did not appeal to me. The _______ 2 cartridge it came with is a $300.00 disapointment, and the $600 _________2 I replaced it with still had a shortage of mid and high-end notes. Don't get me wrong, the piano black finish, the delicate, modern feature set, all favorable, but the sound just did not compare to my old workhorse (a lack of warmth and depth). Plus
even with a high end phono stage, and the upgrades, the price point was more than double the original price point. For that price, the ________ is pedestrian, regardless of what the pundits and reviewers say. Thus, my search continued.
--The Cambridge Alva TT was not as heralded when it was released, but considering it had a built in Cambridge Phono MM/MC phono stage, an APTx wireless connection, coupled with a fine (R---?) tonearm and moving coil (H---?) cartridge, it looked like a complete kit ready to roll. Cambridge Audio certainly tapped some excellent suppliers if what I believe is true and the end result is better than the sum of its parts; it's a veritable bargain. I consider myself a serious audiophile and I may get blow back from the upper crusted, but this table is solid and beats the other tables in this competitive price point in the following respects:
PROS: 1. Rock Solid Plinth and Platter weighing in at a hefty 24 pounds. The POM synthetic used on this table is an excellent material that does not require a felt mat for warm, organic sound and is static-free.
2. The moving coil cartridge is touted as a high output unit, but it is still lower than a similar MM cartridge. The difference is that it sounds and tracks excellently. The full kit I have connected the ALVA TT to includes a high end 120 watts per channel Integrated
amp, and world standard speakers that 'hear' any defect in equipment attached to the kit itself. So much to my surprise, the ALVA TT pulled out beautiful clear highs and perfectly decaying bass. It was frankly, a revelation. Classical tracks had little interwall distortion and Rock music had a concert hall fullness not experienced from me from the equipment I attached it to.
3. The build quality is generally excellent and the touch controls have a solid tactile feel when depressing them.
4. The Direct Drive motor is extremely quiet and may offer less maintenance than other tables in this class.

CONS: Unfortunately, The ALVA has a few minor blemishes:
1. The industrial looking build is love it or leave proposition compared to some turntables that look like them belong in an a modern art collection. Don't get me wrong, the sound is what's important to me, but I think some shallower individuals may take a "pretty face" over the utilitarian function and excellent tone of the ALVA TT.
2. While the hi-fidelity bluetooth and built in phono stage is wonderful, I would have preferred a bypass switch to give me the option to modify or upgrade the phono stage, similar to the ability to hardwire the ALVA TT directly to one's amp or pre-amp and bypass the Bluetooth connection.
3. The dustcover, with its flimsy small rubber feet feels cheap when compared to the solidity of rest of the unit.

In conclusion, after about 50 hours in with this table, I can say, without reservation: BUY THIS TURNTABLE -- PERIOD, END OF REPORT !!!

Wirklich wie beschrieben, schnell aufgebaut mit tollem Ergebnis!

I am a fan of Cambridge Audio (CA). I have always felt there equipment to be of audiophile quality while providing value for the enthusiast. AlvaTT is no different. A quality TT with a MC cartridge, direct drive and Apt X HD BT to boot. There has been some doubt about the bass handling of the TT; I have 2.1 system with speakers driven by the CA CX A81 (Anthony Gallo Speakers and a B&W sub) and a B&K 4420 reference amp (B&W LR6) - so bass has not been an issue. I am thoroughly enjoying the sound of vinyl after almost 21 years. I did end up purchasing a new stylus pressure gauge (a digital orofoton). The one that comes with TT works, but frankly I was way off. I spent quite a bit of time with it, and music was playing fine. But when a calibrated with the digital one, I was at 1.40 g - well away from 2.0g. So just keep this in mind. The Alva TT is easy to set up, and I am extremely happy with it. For the price, with a built in phono stage which automatically recognizes a MC or MM cartridge, the TT is very cost effective. Great sound, great value. CA continues to deliver, and for their first TT, wow!!

Nach Erhalt direkt aufgebaut, wobei das korrekt Einstellen des Phonoarmes schon seine Zeit benötigt. Ansonsten war der Aufbau einfach und auch gut erklärt.

Dann die erste Platte aufgelegt. Hier habe ich bewusst eine genommen, die ich zuletzt über den Netzwerkstreamer (auch von Cambridge) gehört habe: verblüffend, wie nahe nun der Klang an die digitale Version gekommen ist.

Als nächstes eine Platte genommen, die ich kurz vorher über den alten Plattenspieler angehört habe: am alten klang diese wirklich dumpf, beim ALVA extrem klar (mit dem üblichen Vinyl-Knistern).

Und zum Schluss eine alte Live Rockplatte aufgelegt: ich war mitten im Konzertraum.

In Bezug auf den Preis erhält dieser Plattenspieler von mir eine absolute Kaufempehlung!