What Hi Fi Sound and Vision 30 MAR 2004

Clearaudio Emotion package

£ 1140 5
* * * * *

With further upgrades since we first awarded the Emotion five stars, it’s not surprising it’s an Award-winner

Write your own review
  • For

    A beautifully balanced sound that excites or soothes in equal measure

  • Against

    Admittedly, over £600 is a substantial investment, but if you want the best…

This is a great-value package: the Emotion turntable comes equipped with Clearaudio’s Satisfy tonearm and Aurum Classics Wood cartridge – which all work together superbly.

Clearaudio’s engineers clearly can’t leave things alone. Since this deck debuted, it’s gained an improved belt and a matching motor pulley. The result is a greater sense of sparkle and clarity, the icing on what was already a beautifully balanced sonic cake, with an even tonal balance and few weaknesses. Rhythms are gripped with determination, and pounded out with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Class-leading clarity
REM’s Automatic for the People can sound messy and confused on many turntables, but certainly not here: the Clearaudio delivers vocals with class-leading clarity without sacrificing body or warmth.

Detail, dynamics and attack are all first-rate, but don’t worry, subtlety isn’t sacrificed in this bid to excite. Put on a mellow tune such as Nick Cave’s Wonderful Life, and the Clearaudio combination shifts gear effortlessly to produce a sumptuous yet insightful performance.

Build-quality is impressive, too, with each part of this package feeling solidly engineered and lovingly finished.

Spending more than £600 on this package might seem extravagant – but not once you’ve heard this Award-winning deck in action.

Back to top whathifi.com Internal

Also consider

  • Roksan Radius 5/Nima arm

    £1375
    * * * * *

    The first thing you’ll notice about the Radius 5 is its sublime looks

    Read
  • Rega P3-24/Elys 2

    £500
    * * * * *

    Up and running, this deck is a sonic superstar. It latches onto the musical message with a skill that evades most class rivals

    Read

What Hi Fi Sound and Vision

The world's No. 1 home entertainment buyers guide online

Join the Club

Latest Issue