The fact that record players from Erlangen pack such talent was recently demonstrated by the ~€3'200 special edition Concept Gold/White which unravelled such interwoven structures very sensitively. The Al Di Meola deck does not deny the relationship but follows the action even more closely and directly. My permanent guest, a ~€1'500 Technics SL-1210GR, lives a completely different direct-drive concept to see itself as less of a sleuth when it comes to resolution. Anyone who knows the Technics knows that it is considered a timing master hard to be outdone; not even by a guitar from Erlangen. And so that had to admit that flamenco could present even more crisply although it could also claim to be able to separate complex structures more diligently. Everyone has their own core competencies. At Clearaudio, sonic family resemblance is entirely intentional so a virtue. We can rely blindly on certain acoustic attributes. To confirm this, it made sense to choose my listening samples based at least in part on music I had put on the limited acrylic platter of the Concept Edition Gold/White.

And so the gripping locomotive "Demon Fire" from AC/DC's successful Power Up was allowed to let off steam and thrilled once again with its flawless bone-dry structures of the bass range. It's always fab how electric bass crackles with tension and the band's typically basic 4/4 beat pumps earthy and seamlessly powerful music directly into the bloodstream. Not an ounce of extra fat, a well-trained fit bass just as I like it. "Dani California" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is another hit with cult bassist Flea at his finger-tapping funky best. It’s wonderful how nimble and precise the Clearaudio Al Di Meola follows the melody and earthily extracts it from the mix. The ambitiously operated drum set snaps just as dry and powerful from the virtual stage if not quite as massive and profound as the Japanese disco king from Technics. That reads kicks with the foot pedal against the big bass drum as an invitation to pass on these hits with an unfiltered "pow" directly into the pit of the stomach but pays for it with slight compromises in speed. The bass with the Technics goes deep but not as agile and snappy as the Clearaudio's which sees the LF range as a sporting discipline: powerful and at the same time neutral while the 1210 plays more full-bodied, rich and juicy. Sixpack from Bavaria versus Popeye from Japan. Which do you prefer?

In the midrange Clearaudio's Al Di Meola offers very delicate vivid vocals and instruments which again recall the Gold/White but differ in detail. The 'smaller' Concept enriches voices with a very light touch of warmth. The Al Di Meola Edition avoids this without trying to be cold. It simply remains neutral. Nevertheless, the rough voice of Element of Crime frontman Sven Regener in the classic "I long for you" from the 1990 album Crime Pays winds its way into every cranial convolution and makes hairs on neck and forearm stand on end with its intensity and grip. It's a performance the legendary Technics—sorry fans—simply cannot reproduce in such a physical and approachable way. But hey, it doesn't cost even half as much.

The upper range is very detailed and almost crystal clear so sub-information like venue acoustics is heard very transparently. I described the high-frequency spectrum of the Clearaudio Concept Edition Gold/White as elegant. I came to this conclusion because it conveyed its very pure style almost without any hint of sharpness such as hissy sibilants. It rounds off very slightly on top which is particularly beneficial for continuous pleasure with more critical recordings. The Clearaudio Al Di Meola can do this too although illuminates fine ramifications and details a little deeper than its slightly cheaper brother to manage the balancing act between crystal clear and lack of sharpness even more naturally. When it comes to spatial representation, family virtues greet us again. Why would you change something that works? The Celebrity Al Di Meola Edition presents the stage in a generous way in all dimensions. The musicians move freely and with verve, are easy to locate and their relationships on stage comprehensible and believable. Also to be expected, the stage perspective maintains appropriate distance and never becomes intrusive. The Clearaudio lets the action start at the speakers' front line.