I have had an Alloy Convertible turntable by Anvil Turntables for more than a year and just have not gotten around to writing a review. It is an exceptional turntable, especially for the price. I got mine in a titanium finish to maintain the "metal" theme. It came with the heavy motor mount and new cork ball isolation pods. I was looking for a metal platter turntable with a non-resonant plinth/chassis. I did not want a composite, glass or MDF platter. I was also looking for a mass-loaded design as an alternative to the Thorens TD-150 I have lived with and loved for decades. Simon Yorke designs were the most alluring, but out of reach financially. I also like swapping out tonearms, which is not an option on another popular metal-plattered product line in the US. I kept coming back to the Analog Planet and Karlos5000 reviews until I finally took the plunge.
First, doing business with Bruce is an engaging experience. I enjoy this hobby and Bruce enjoys the discussion as much as I do. It is a far more personal choice for me when I can understand more about the products I buy than just purchase them off the shelf or out of an Internet catalog. I am sure his time will become more precious as sales of this turntable increase, but the discussions illuminated how knowledgeable he is regarding focus on what matters for good LP reproduction and what can be deprecated as not relevant to improving the outcome.
The turntable itself is quiet, a result of weight and innovative alloys to manage vibration. Reproduction of LPs is neutral. Articulation is particularly important to my enjoyment of reproduced music and the Alloy Convertible delivers the low noise floor and stable speed that delivers what I want to hear. Bass is solid and stable - low and clear. One example from the 45rpm version of Blood, Sweat & Tears I picked up recently is the rapid bass line that does not slow down or get muddy and just slams on. PRAT is excellent. I could go on, but the truth is in the listening and I cannot stop mining the large [3 generations] record collection I refused to discard through multiple moves. The Alloy Convertible works for me, delivering on all the issues that were important at a reasonable price.
The speed stability and low noise floor deliver the microdaynamics that get me closer to the microphone's view of the performance - more important than obvious macrodynamics to me.
The only difficulty I have encountered is setting the platter speed at precisely 33.3 or 45 rpm. The standard motor controller gets close, but the adjustment granularity forces selection of slightly slow or fast. Not significant, but consider the upgraded motor controller if precise speed is important - the speed stability is still incredible with the standard controller.
I do have the iron base, but have not had time to rebuild my shelves to accommodate it. Everything I have done to lower the noise floor in my system has demonstrated better resolution in reproduction, so I expect more of the same with the base.
For reference in interpreting my remarks, the phono chain in play is Lyra Dorian on an Origin Live Enterprise 3C tonearm. I use a Boston Audio Mat2. The electronics are all Pass Class A with Nordost balanced cabling and power cords/conditioning.
