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Ultimate Turntable search...OMA K5 or ?

As the title says, I’m on the hunt for a statement turntable. Don’t really post on the forum so forgive me if this has been discussed already. I’ve been told that whatsbest might be another place to post about this but I’ve been a seller on this site for many years, so I figured it was a good place to start.

I’m a longtime Caliburn owner but it’s time for a change. I would like to ditch the belt drive and vacuum. I know Fremer loves the OMA K3, but the K5 has got my attention. After owning many different speakers, a friend of mine turned me on to OMA. I ended up buying a pair of OMA mini’s about ten years ago and then quickly moved up to the AC-1. I’ve had a wonderful experience dealing with Jonathan and the company and love their aesthetic. With the AC-1s, my main system has reached a level of musicality and presence I never thought possible. I’ve recently come to the conclusion that upgrading my front end is my next big move. So I’ve been doing a ton of research on turntables in this class.

Although I’ve owned OMA speakers for years, I haven’t heard any of their new table designs. Sadly, I have not been to any shows or showrooms since covid. I do plan on visiting OMA sometime in the next few months, but for now, I’m interested if anybody has real life experience with the K3/K5 and if you have listening notes or opinions to share? Also curious to hear thoughts on competive turntables in this class. I have heard many high end tables in person, but definitely not all. Thanks!

mattdrummer
bluewolf's avatar
bluewolf
66 posts
 

I note that you want to move away from belt drive but in my decades of experience I found that there were a number of instances when my preferred technologies of the time were outshone by a better sounding piece of gear of a different approach. A member has suggested the Acoustical Systems ASTELLAR which I would echo given my experience with the APOLYT which I wrote up:

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/acoustical-systems-apolyt-turntable-the-revelation

 

My opinion has not changed and so great was the impression it made on me that I have had to order an APOLYT and hope to have it within the next few months. Here are some specs:

 

https://www.arche-headshell.de/the-apolyt/

 

An ancillary benefit of the APOLYT is that its integrated stand can isolate amplification in addition to the turntable. Whatever turntable you decide on I would not order without listening first. Good luck in your quest!

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

No issues with a Arche Headshell at this end, but as a more affordable entrance to this design type, the out of production Orsonic Headshells are very attractive in certain models.

 

 

mattdrummer OP
3 posts
 

Was excited to see the newest review of the OMA K3 by Jacob Heilbronn in TAS this month. Seems as though he found it quite impressive. Writing in TAS, claiming that this table is the "ultimate in uncolored, truthful sound," is quite a compliment.  Pretty light on listening notes and details. Would have liked to see him dig into the differences between the K3 and his TechDas, and perhaps offer some insightful listening critiques. But this is what we get from TAS these days. Kind of miss the old days when HP would really poke the bear. 

Nonetheless, makes me even more eager to drive down and hear the K5 in person. 

 

 

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