Enterprise Tonearm Review by Hi-Fi World
By David Price – Hi Fi world editor – Hi Fi World magazine 2007
I was amazed at how the Enterprise scythed through this murky mix. It laid down a big, strong, slightly warm bass with a wide midband and deliciously subtle treble. Billy MacKenzie’s vocal theatrics were quite arresting – he had a special voice, not to everyone’s taste, and it felt eerily real through my system. The way it hovered outside and above the instruments was something I’ve not heard before.
The Crusaders’ ‘Street Life’ is my staple high quality hi-fi test disc, and I was reminded why with the Enterprise.The opening few bars were superbly articulated, with one of the most vivid midbands I’ve heard from vinyl. Randy Crawford’s breathy vocals were again quite delicious, tremendously expressive and sumptuous too.Tonally, the Michell Orbe and GyroDec are especially gifted in carrying the ‘timbre’ and ‘tone’ of voices and instruments, and the Enterprise was particularly good at showcasing this. When the drums kicked in, I was treated to a mesmeric performance, with fulsome bass, great insight across the midband with wonderful filigree detailing on strings.There was an immensely satisfying rasp to brass and hi-hats which sounded like they were in the room with me. The Enterprise is a real music maker too, although rhythmically it is a long way from its cheaper Origin Live stable mates. Genesis’s ‘Mad Man Moon’ showcased Phil Collins’ drumming to fantastic effect, the kit sounding tremendously powerful and dynamic,
yet having a lilting rhythm that sounded more Nairn ARO than SMEV. Once again, the hi-hat work was a joy, the cymbals having a crisp tone and tremendous attack. Moving to Kraftwerk’s
‘Computerwelt’, the Enterprise’s rhythmic ability shone once again — throwing out a hypnotic groove that surpassed even the TriPlanar Precision tonearm. ……
Conclusion
Overall, this is a superb pick up arm with a grippingly musical sound and lovely rhythmic ability. It has wonderful tonal shading (an SME SeriesV sounds monochrome, by comparison) and deep soundstaging with masses of detail …….overall it’s an exceptional performer — one which offers a brilliant mix of tonality and rhythmic grip.
By David Price – Hi Fi world editor – Hi Fi World magazine 2007