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Review: Oracle Audio Alexandria Turntable

Category: Analog

This review is for the first generation Oracle Alexandria Turntable. Not the MK II or MK III or subsequent variants of this legendary turntable.

When the orginal Delphi came out it was a must have for any audiophile. It was truly state of the art. But I just could not justify the cost at the time. However a few years later the Alexandria came on the scene and for me that was much more like it. Not only in price but the Alexandria was in convential presentation.

It immediatley replaced my Acoustic Research ES 1. The sonic differences between the two were actually beyond comparision. It was like the difference between a Corvette and a Ferrari. Both very worthy,but the Ferrari is a true thoroughbred. Opted for the Sumiko Premier FT 3 arm. Have had many cartridges on this and none have disappointed. The Sumiko Blue Point now resides and the combination is truly stellar. This combination has prompted me to listen to some analog recordings I have not heard in a very long time.

The Oracle Alexandria coupled with this arm produces a sonic nirvana that is nothing short of spectacular. All the timbres of the music ranch are faithfully reproduced. And piano solos are just breath taking to say the least.

Is the Oracle Alexandria still state of the art?? In my view it is just as fresh and inspiring as it was 17 years ago. And the good part Oracle is still in business so service is readily available. Doubt if you will need it,the Alexandria is built superbly. There may be better out there,but at its price point in the secondary market it is a true bargain of high end audio.

Associated gear
Click to view my Virtual System

Similar products
AR ES1,Thorens,Dual,Harman Kardon,etc

ferrari
newbee
4,767 posts
 
I agree with you re the value of this table and arm combo - I've used the exact combo in a second system for the past 15(?) years. Great value and dammed good sound. Mine came with a "black box" which was supposed to smoothout the fluctuations in prower from the PS. FWIW, in my set up it sounds better, and is spot on, without it!
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
I had that table many years ago and enjoyed it. The cost wasn't bad for what the buyer got, but since then a lot of really good tables have come onto the market. I sold mine about ten years ago. I replaced it with a Sota, and then upgraded to a better Sota.

The Oracle is good to a point, but it isn't state of the art anymore.
tomnyc73-fd6c
1 posts
 
where can I get a motor repair/replacement for my oracle alexandria? many thanks !
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
well said ferrari....the alexandria (and the paris) just keep looking better and better....and sounding better and better.......
columbo
1 posts
 
I got mine when they first came out. Unfortunatly, I have not used it for 10 years!! That's another story. I don't know what arm it came with already mounted "out of the box." Anyway, the cue mechanism went bad after a few years of moderate use. The arm would not stay down!! The little ratchet was made of soft material and wore out. I paid a shop to fix it by filing a new edge, and it worked for a few months, then the same thing happened. So the shop REMOVED the guts of the cue mechanism and called it an "upgrade" in sound. It's been way too long since I've had my high-end stuff set up. This site just reminded me that I need to do that!!
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