Alva TT V2 lets users listen to high-quality recordings without installing additional components. TT V2 comes with a custom cartridge. The switchable integrated phono-stage lets it connect to most audio systems. It works wirelessly on top Bluetooth speakers.
Overview of Company and Product
Cambridge Audio’s latest Alva TT V2 Turntable is summarised here. Cambridge Audio introduced the first Alva TT at CES 2019 and won “Best of Audio”. The Alva honours Thomas Alva Edison, who invented the phonograph. Since its publication, it has received rave reviews worldwide. For a company not known for turntables, this was astounding. Cambridge Audio professionals cherish great sound, so it’s not surprising that they made a turntable with such high performance and creativity.
Cambridge Audio, founded in 1968 and based in London, was the first toroidal transformer amplifier manufacturer. They have kept making inexpensive, award-winning devices ever then. Construction of electronic circuits involves listening to individual components. For everyone to experience live music, the London office hosts Friday afternoon concerts with a variety of genres.
The AptX HD Bluetooth on the original Alva TT was a rather unique feature for a turntable at the time, and it also included a built-in phono preamp. Since Cambridge values customer feedback, all of the changes made to the Alva TT V2 are a result of comments given by the original owners of the Alva TT.
Design and Construction Quality
The Alva TT V2 has a striking resemblance to the sleek and uncomplicated original Alva TT. The circular, floating form of the CX series items is reminiscent of this appearance. Because the footprint on your shelf is less than the plinth’s, it appears to float, much like CX. The plinth’s top plate is made of solid aluminium, and the bottom portion is finished in a dark matte grey. The left side features three little silver buttons for controlling power and speed, while the right side features an attractively embossed Cambridge logo.
Since the Alva TT V2 is a manual turntable, you must use the cueing lever to lower the tonearm at the start and stop of each record. Tracking force and anti-skate settings are available on the tonearm. Nevertheless, the tonearm height cannot be changed.
Technology & Features
The four feet supporting the Alva TT V2 are somewhat mushy to the touch and have considerable dampening properties. With its solid aluminium top plate and anti-resonant base, the plinth is rather substantial, as we previously mentioned.
Polyoxymethylene (POM), a sophisticated engineering thermoplastic, is utilised to make the platter. POM is employed in precision parts that need to have high stiffness and exceptional dimensional stability. The record label is slightly indented on a metal inlay located in the centre. It’s meant to be used without a pad, just like many other turntables with an advanced plastic platter. It is advisable to keep with no mat for those of you who prefer to roll your own sound by switching out mats because the arm isn’t height-adjustable.
Unlike most performance turntables, the Alva TT V2 motor system is direct drive. Cambridge Audio, on the other hand, approaches direct drive very differently. DJs love direct-drive turntables because they often feature a high torque motor and a platter with a relatively low mass, which allows them to spin up quickly. Cambridge takes a different approach, using a medium torque motor and a nearly 5-pound platter with a very high mass. Although it warms up a little faster than typical belt-drive turntables, Cambridge Audio says that for the same price, this system achieved as excellent or better speed consistency than any other belt drive system they tested. Because you merely need to drop the platter on and never have to bother about replacing a belt, direct drive setup is a little easier.
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Conclusion
There are certainly better options available if you’re looking for a decent turntable in this price range and don’t give a damn about Bluetooth. Not by a long shot, however there are many excellent turntables in this price bracket that are really competitive.
Still, the Alva TT V2 sounds unexpectedly good—by far the finest we’ve heard—for a Bluetooth turntable. It is the best in its class, in our opinion, for the user who wants something that is constructed like a tank, straightforward to set up, and very simple to operate (once the Bluetooth is paired). Thus, it’s a very cool option if you have a wonderful set of Bluetooth speakers and only want to add vinyl. Alternatively, if you wished to utilise wireless headphones to listen to vinyl while you moved around your house, then get comfortable with your system; nothing can match it in that sense.
And for someone who simply wants to know that it functions as it should, you have something quite enticing when you consider that this is a high-performance turntable that doesn’t require a fussy setup.
