I bought a new Rega rp1 a couple of months ago, I just wanted a plug and play entry level TT. Must admit it sounds far better than I had expected. Gave a real insight into why so many folk maintain vinyl sounds better than digital.

Great starter deck -I would happily recommend it to someone dipping their toe in the water(without breaking the bank).

Interesting looking arm.

The SMD is, I think, probably the most interesting as it is a real attempt to reinvent the Garrard idler. Having had a close look at it it certainly has a lot of high quality engineering incorporated. I see it is also badged as 'made in Sheffield' which is even more of a plus point!

I'm not aware of the deck Tony C has linked to - does look interesting though.

Peak Hifi (Shaun) manufactures his SMD turntables himself and has been playing around with the idler design for a long time ,does sound good

The Origine is the first new turntable from Oracle in 25 years

Sorry only just seen this question

The Origine will be let loose on the public mid September.

A few basic specifications of the Origine

The main plinth is made of a sandwich of three layers of acrylic (colour options will be available).
The feet system is made out of Delrin, adjustable of course.
The main bearing inherits the know-how from the Paris and our old Delphi – a two bushing spindle holder
One-piece platter carved in acrylic with the same concave shape as Oracle’s platter or mat to accompany the screwable Delrin Roceord clamp.
Platter made essentially of the same material and design we use on the Paris platter and the Delphi’s hard acrylic mat.
Outboard motor in a heavy aluminum housing, the belt is driven around the whole perimeter of the platter.
The tonearm’s wiring conveniently ends with left/right RCA outputs, traditional ground post, all on a small box similar to the Paris
The Origine will be available with or without cartridge
The tonearm is a unipivot design with the pivot contact height the same as the height at which the needle touches the record. (assures better geometry for the needle when tracking vertically)
Tonearm’s main structure is made of Delrin, fixed on a stabilizing steel mass located under the pivot contact point. Easy azimuth adjustment.
Internal wiring is from Cardas.
Aluminum armtube equipped with a compliance tuning weight
Synchrionuous outboard AC motor.

Hi Martin

Indeed it does have a speed control featuring those popular numbers 33 and 45!

. I guess this is a replacement to the Alexandria? It has quite a different look to previous Oracles's - do you think we will see this style spread to their other model(s)?

So do I, love the industrial look.

New turntable at Brook towers next week....