The Reed Muse 1C Turntable and 5T Tonearm

At the 2017 Hong Kong High End Audio/Video Show, I found myself sitting next to a turntable manufacturer who shall remain anonymous. A Reed Muse 3C turntable ($20,000) with 3P tonearm ($5500 for the 9.5" version) sat on a display table across from us. I’d favorably reviewed both of those products¹ and thought highly of them, but I was surprised when the manufacturer beside me mentioned that he thought they were exceptional: ingenious, well-engineered, fine-sounding, and visually appealing. It’s hard to say otherwise about these Lithuanian-made products, but it’s unusual for the competition to express such unreserved adulation. “I agree!,” I responded.

Compared to that more costly flagship ’table, the Muse 1C ($15,000) has a larger footprint and a more traditional-looking design. It weighs less—33lb vs the 3C’s 55lb—and comes in either Moonlit Black or Karelian birch finishes, instead of the 3C’s machined aluminum. The 1C is arguably more dramatic and attractive looking, though both models look snazzy, down to the thin leather/suede platter mats supplied with all Reed turntables.

The 1C’s drive system is derived from that of the 3C and uses the same main bearing and drive system. Central to this is an aluminum subplatter machined with a tapered hub, driven by two opposing PLL (phase-locked loop)–controlled DC motors that turn at slightly different speeds; the two motor pulleys are fitted with rubber/elastomer drive wheels of slightly different diameters. Unlike the 5C, which can be ordered, for an upcharge, with both dual “friction-wheel” drive