TOP 45 PRODUCTS
1976
Linn LP12
The Linn LP12 is arguably the most popular high-end turntable of all time, in the UK at least. Introduced in 1972, it went on to dominate the premium turntable market for decades afterwards. Linn made a range of compatible arms and cartridges too, so upgrading was easy.
The deck was superbly engineered but the company has never stopped developing it. Just about every aspect of the design, from the suspension to the power supply, has been revised over the years, leading to a string of incremental performance gains. Early LP12s had a rounded, rich balance that was still lively enough to entertain. Later versions moved towards neutrality, enjoying greater precision and insight as a result.
Technics SL1200
Though we’ve never considered the SL1200, or any of its variants, class leaders when it comes to sound quality, that doesn’t mean we don’t admire them. Every version we’ve tested was well built, solid and beautifully engineered – one of the main reasons they were so successful with DJs across the globe.
They’re easy to use too, with plenty of flexibility over positioning and cartridge-matching. With a bit of effort, they’re upgradable too, yet they sound good enough as standard to be enjoyable. Flawless? Definitely not, but that doesn’t stop the SL1200 in any of its forms from being considered a true classic.
1978
Acoustic Research AR18
Back in the 1970s, Acoustic Research was one of the biggest hi-fi brands around. It made a massive impact with its original turntable, but these rather ordinary-looking standmounters are what we remember the most.
Even for their time, these speakers were basic – a two-way, sealed-box design using a 20cm paper cone mid/bass and a rather unrefined 32mm tweeter. Yet Acoustic Research took this recipe and turned out one of the finest budget speakers in history.
The AR18s sounded entertaining, but most of all they were fun. Sure, the treble could have been sweeter and their transparency barely lived up to the word, but play some music through them and all was forgiven.
NAD 3020
The NAD brand is based on the foundations laid by the 3020 amplifier. To date, nothing else the company has done has made the impact of this slightly flimsy budget box.
Even back in 1978, a power output of around 20W per channel wasn’t particularly impressive, but in use this integrated amp could drive speakers better than just about any rival. Its smooth, full-bodied balance worked brilliantly with the less than refined budget kit of the day, delivering the sound with unmistakable grace. Current amplifiers may be ahead on transparency and build quality, but find one of these in working order and it would still be a joy to listen to.
Rega Planar 3
We doubt there has ever been a more dominant turntable than Rega’s Planar 3. Ever since its introduction in 1978, it has been the go-to middle-market record player, and little has changed in the subsequent years. In fact, the various iterations of this deck have won our sub-thousand pound turntable Award so many times, we’ve lost count.
So what’s the Planar 3’s secret? It’s a simple, well made design based on sensible engineering principles. Sure, the company has refined just about every component over time, most notably the introduction of the then-revolutionary RB300 arm in 1983; but in essence the Planar 3 still remains today what it has always been: a simple-to-use, fuss-free performer that makes our vinyl collection sound great.
1979
A&R Cambridge A60
If NAD was the king of the budget amps, then the A60 is what you bought when you wanted to upgrade. It was the first product from A&R Cambridge (which later morphed into Arcam) and what a monster hit it was.
Look past the unassuming
