Can a wireless turntable deliver the same level of a performance as one connected directly to your integrated amplifier or powered loudspeakers? Cambridge Audio surprised a lot of people with their Alva Turntable which offered Bluetooth playback and an OEM tonearm courtesy of Rega. Some audiophiles lifted their noses at the innovative design but those of us who actually tried or bought one were quite impressed. The Alva came with its own phono cartridge (which was also probably designed by Rega) and internal phono stage and dealers did quite well with it. The new Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 is a direct drive turntable with a built-in switchable phono stage and aptX HD Bluetooth streaming.
The Alva TT V2 retains the original Alva TT’s direct drive system with a heavy aluminum top plate and polyoxymethylene (POM) platter, pre-installed Alva MC cartridge, and the innovative aptX HD Bluetooth that allows 24-bit/48kHz hi-res streaming.
New features include a brand-new, improved tonearm with detachable headshell (offering listeners an easy upgrade path), and switchable phono stage and Bluetooth – both are in response to popular customer feedback from the Alva TT’s release.
The switchable phono stage offers listeners the flexibility and choice of using the Alva TT V2 with the phono stage in their existing stereo amplifier, while also making it easy to upgrade their hi-fi system’s components over time.
One of the changes from the original Alva TT is that you can now turn the Bluetooth transmitter off, offering even more choice and convenience for listeners as well as a shortened signal path – which in turn means better sound and more energy efficiency.
The new Alva TT V2 is more expensive than the original model which puts it up against entry-level tables from VPI, Clearaudio, and the Rega Planar 6 — but it does offer an internal phono stage and wireless streaming as well.
Our in-depth review will be published next week but we have some early thoughts about the design and how this turntable might be ideal for a lot of listeners going forward.
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Where to buy: $1,999 at Amazon | Crutchfield
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