2. analog
  3. 175612-139846

Why are Nottingham Analogue Studio turntables so expensive in USA?

Hello all

I am in search of a ~$3000 turntable and thought I had finally found the one after months of searching, the Hyperspace from Nottingham Analogue Studio. I liked its slightly dark natural tone with deep bass retrieval, plus good timing and tempo. It can also accommodate two tonearms which makes it future-proof.

The problems I have is the price of this turntable in the USA. The official dealer for this turntable sells it for almost $7000 whereas the UK price is about €3300. Its nearly twice the price and at first I could not believe what I was seeing. Sure, it takes dealers passion and love for audio gears when they set the price, but this seemed utterly outrageous to me. Do you guys agree with this price? performance-wise? Do you recommend any other turntable brands that has the sound I am after?

Before checking out the price for the Hyperspace, I also looked at Small Audio Manufacture turntables from Czech Republic, Well Tempered Amadeus Jr, and Pear Audio Robinhood SE (these share some key ingredients with Nottingham TTs, but seem to have different sound signature, brighter. more resolution, and faster).

yggy1

Showing 2 responses by yggy1

yggy1 OP
78 posts
 

@vinylvalet Did you not like the sound? or just overall experience? For me Pear TTs seem to be a little bright, very high resolution like SACD, really solid bass. I like something more musical with just ever so slight hint of darkness. 

@bigslacker Thanks for leaving me the contact info. I'd consider pear's lower price models, but probably try a NTA one first. Sounded very clean and powrful to me, which isn't bad at all. Just a little taste difference. I also realized those prices for NTA turntable without the arm isn't too bad bc the arm is the one set overpriced.

yggy1 OP
78 posts
 

Thanks all for the input! Had no idea about the VAT exemption for exports to US. Found some interesting used options and ebay sellers but they are all out of my price range either. Maybe I should do more research especially on the Pear Audio Blue ones. They are basically designed with the same philosophy of Nottingham and the same person involved in development, just a more modern and highend sound variation imo, but not quite the same sonic signature.

More to discover