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I did hear two acrylic turntables where I encountered all the assets of this material but none of its shortcomings. One was the Oracle Delphi V I reviewed for Audio, the other a recent loaner of the Transrotor Zet1 Matt White. The PAB platform now confirmed that acrylic in isolation is not an ideal material but when combined with other elements can produce splendid results. We actually only notice that the Acrylic AP adds something of itself to the sound when comparing it to as superior and expensive a platform as the RAF-48. That’s when we hear that the PAB does indeed slightly warm up the sound and withdraws the treble just a bit. Even the bass is a little less differentiated. On the other hand I had slightly better vividness and breath with it. The differences between these platforms were not as big as expected. And I do not know if they would even be audible in any given system such as to be worth resigning oneself from the obvious assets of the Acrylic AP.
In such a case the wooden PAB platform could be an obvious alternative. Wood makes the sound even deeper but not as dynamic or velvety. The blackground behind the sounds as an indicator of system resolution with the Acrylic AP was splendid and on par with the pneumatic RAF-48. With wood it was less clear. This does not mean that we should use wood only for the fireplace and praise the Acrylic AP exclusively. Absolutely not. And that's leaving aside the fact that with plywood and MDF we get lots of harmful substances which release when heated (I am writing from experience – today Krakow is the most polluted of Polish cities due to exactly such emissions which I can see from my window where owners of small houses probably exchange their wooden PAB for the acrylic). The two versions of the Pro Audio Bono platforms are rather like right/left than better/worse.
Summary. The Polish platform which came to Krakow from Piaseczno/Mysiadło outside Warsaw turned out to be a splendidly made nice looking equipment support that influences the sound in a unanimously positive way. Components placed on it look and play music far better than without it. Far better refers to all the meanings of that word. Even the comparison with the costlier Acoustic Revive platform reference did not embarrass it but was mere reminder that every choice has a consequence. It’s with a clean conscience and full responsibility that I thus award this product our Red Fingerprint distinction which previously has been granted only to the Dynaudio Focus 260 floorstander, the Musica Ibuki USB DAC and the Jplay file player software.
Methodology. The PAB platform was reviewed using three components – the Ancient Audio Lektor Air V-edition and Burmester 089 CD players; and the Leben CS-300 integrated tube amplifier in a custom version. The platform was A/B’d against placing the same components atop my Base Solid Base VI custom granite shelf and the Acoustic Revive RAF-48 platform. I only ran four discs which was less than usual but then the entire review was different. Comparisons were made using three different lengths of auditions: 30 seconds, 2 minutes and full cuts.
Descriptions. The Pro Audio Bono Acrylic AP platform is based on an idea that's been known and practiced for a long time in the construction of turntables like SME and here shows itself nicely developed. It‘s about using a rigid plinth and mounting to its four corners pylons from which a second platform is suspended. The type of suspension can vary. With PAB it’s a special string whose tension is adjusted by winding the string on something like a guitar peg. PAB’s pegs and hollow brass pylons are painted in a nice gray textured finish. The string is guided in a brass wheel fixed by a steel rod, then hidden beneath a cap which closes the pylon pipe from above. Principle and execution are very simple. The description of it reads far more complex than the thing itself. The height of the pylons above the plinth is 130m.
The plinth itself sits on four footers which can be adjusted for leveling. The company even offers ceramic ball bearings for an upgrade path of this interface. The shelves of the version reviewed were transparent acrylic 20mm thick and 480 x 400 in size. The plinth without tensioners is 560 x 400mm. Its front sports the company logo silk-screened on a brass plate and there’s a logo milled on the sides. Overall this a very handsome and tastefully executed effective product.
