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Zubin Mehta’s Mahler 2 [Super Analog/Decca 9139/40] was awesome in terms of color, scale and drama. Timps and organ were deep and weighty with tremendous impact while the strings were simply gorgeous without any undue signs of edge or wiriness. Brass and woodwinds all sounded real and substantial. The epic sweep and sheer size of this performance sent shivers up my spine as the heavens really did open up at the finale. On my Pro-Ject RM-5 this compares as though I was listening to a chamber orchestra recorded in a smaller hall. That made the music a tad more distant, lack in drama and not have quite the same startle factor during orchestral climaxes.
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And while the Amadeus excelled with the macro it was equally adept at the micro. The small dynamic surges that sometimes escaped my attention on my Pro-Ject table where brought to the fore as in the Vienna Octet’s wonderful LP of Schubert’s Trout Quintet [Decca CS 6090]. All manner of little shifts and phrasing were considerably more noticeable. The insights into artist technique were also readily apparent on Ry Cooder’s playing on Paris Texas [Warner 7599-25270-1]. Slides, bends and percussive techniques were obvious and tantalizingly tactile.
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What did the $3,135 Amadeus have that my $1,000 Pro-Ject RM-5 didn't? Apart from the more realistic timbre, more apparent musical detail and greater scale and drama, the Amadeus offered a more natural sense of flow, substance and solidity with a delightfully natural yet compelling way of revealing nuance minus anything clinical or artificial. Music playback over the Amadeus was simply more present and commanding than the RM-5. The Pro-Ject is an excellent affordable table which I still heartily recommend to those looking in that price range.
While it’s been a long time since I reviewed the half again as expensive Scheu Premier II/Cantus combo, I don’t recall the Scheu impressing me to the same degree as the Amadeus, particularly with the latter’s excellent low level detail retrieval and musical truth. Adjusting VTA, tracking force and azimuth was also considerably easier and less fiddly than with the Scheu Cantus. The Amadeus is a refreshing alternative to the seemingly endless parade of increasingly complex and expensive audio gear. Analog is tricky enough. Why make it more complicated than it needs to be? I’ve long believed that simplicity in audio is generally more musically truthful than the complex. Less complexity, fewer boxes and switches and shorter signal paths quite often mean more music. The Amadeus sure adds weight to that belief.
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The Amadeus consistently managed to engage and captivate. Audiophile stuff like bass, treble, soundstaging etc became utterly pointless. And isn’t that what we are all after? To forget the equipment and how it sounds and instead get caught up in the music and be transported to a higher state of mind where time and space bleed away? Admittedly most drugs will have the same effect but the Amadeus is more fun and cost effective without the obvious health and legal implications.
For $3,135, the Well Tempered Lab Amadeus is a great bargain for those open-minded enough to accept the elegant simplicity and uniqueness of Bill Firebaugh’s design. If you are looking for a greater emotional connection with your music and a naturally enhanced state of mind, the Amadeus just might be the last turntable you buy. I think I’ll follow my own advice and do just that.
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Quality of packing: While I received the table assembled sans packaging, photos sent to me suggested that packing quality is excellent.
Reusability of packing: Appears reusable several times.
Quality of owner's manual: No complaints.
Condition of component received: Flawless.
Completeness of delivery: Perfect.
Website comments: Excellent. Plenty of info, product manuals and blog.
Human interactions: Professional and friendly.
Pricing: Far less than the sound suggested.
Final comments & suggestions: WTL offers a 'belt for life' policy. Just send a self addressed envelope with stamp to your distributor or dealer for replacement.
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Welltempered responds:
We sincerely thank Mr. Candy for such a positive and insightful review of the Amadeus. He has no doubt established a 'hands on' grasp of WTL philosophy. It is also gratifying that Mr. Candy may join the ever increasing number of reviewers that take ownership of WTL turntables. What more can we say?
Frank Denson, WTL
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