CAMBRIDGE AUDIO UNVEIL WORLD’S FIRST BLUETOOTH APTX HD TURNTABLE
Cambridge Audio has launched the Alva TT, the world's first turntable featuring aptX HD audio, at CES 2019.
The Cambridge Audio Alva TT is able to stream 24-bit/48kHz high-quality audio to your receiver or another compatible device.
There are plenty of hi-fi fans that remain untrusting where cutting the cables are concerned. This is understandable as there are many occasions where wireless audio has not been able to match the quality of physical links between components. That said, there are great audiophile brands who have managed this and impressed us.
Amongst the flurry of turntable launches at CES 2019, the Alva TT offers something genuinely new with aptX HD, developed by Qualcomm for high-quality audio over Bluetooth connections. Streaming over aptX HD is in theory as good as connecting via cable. I recently reviewed the little Cyrus ONE HD and was hooked on its aptX HD chops.
Cambridge Audio tells us that aptX HD is indistinguishable from wired high-res audio as long as the receiving devices are also equipped with aptX HD skills. Additionally, there's a built-in phono stage or pre-amp, so there's no need for any extra gear other than speakers.
Of course, the main benefit of this wireless magic is that you can place the turntable anywhere within Bluetooth range of the receiving devices. From an interior design point of view, this is quite an important aspect for those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic to their home.
The turntable uses a direct drive motor and a body milled from aluminium to cut vibrations. There is also a rigid and dense Polyoxymethylene (POM) platter. However, a vital piece of the magic is the moving-coil cartridge and low-friction one-piece tonearm. The cartridge boasts an improved response time and detail over conventional magnetic cartridges, further helping boost the wireless quality to wired expectation-levels.
Philip Sawyer, Managing Director of Synergy Audio Visual which distributes Cambridge Audio in Australia told us:
This is perfectly timed as other than the recently announced Technics SL-1200 Mk 7, it’s the only high-performance direct drive turntable on the market. When combined with a high performance, low friction tonearm and a dedicated Cambridge Audio high output moving coil cartridge, this will be a formidable deck. We can’t wait to play it for you!
The Cambridge Audio Alva TT is due to arrive in Australia in Q2 2019. In the UK it will sell for £1,700 but Australian pricing has not yet been confirmed.
For more information, go to Cambridge Audio.
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Technology
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