MAG-LEV ML1 Levitating Turntable

It's time for an update on the MAG-LEV ML1 levitating turntable. You'll find my world premiere review HERE.

After four months in heavy use and with my modifications on board, I am pleased to report that the ML1, for all its novelty and glamour, is also a high performing, exceptionally musical turntable, even for the jaded audiophile like myself. Once one is used to its procedures for playback, I've only experienced one tiny glitch, which did not repeat in its entire playback time to date. Considering everyone and their friend who visits Chez Levi wants to see and hear it operate, we have plenty of use to report.

To refresh your memory, the $2900 table is supplied turnkey and in very good working order.

Its signal-to-noise ratio and wow and flutter is outstanding and equal to $8000 table/arm combinations. Its musicality is very good and the definition is excellent, even with the bottom-end cartridge and lightweight cables supplied. Its mat is pretty good, but can be bettered easily. There is no LP clamp appropriate for this table, so there's no use searching for that. And, of course, the better the phono stage utilized, the better the definition.

Changes Recommended

My first change was to the mat, where I went to a Perfect Interface Carbon Signature Mat supplied by Stein Music of Germany. Useful in many tables to enhance definition and lower apparent distortion, it is mandatory on the MAG-LEV.

The PI is made from treated Japanese paper with proprietary chemicals, specially added materials, and a proprietary granular shaping that really works! Its effect is very much like upgrading your cartridge and arm. It sells here for $649.

The Ortofon 2M (image courtesy of Ortofon)

Next, I replaced the supplied Ortofon OM10 with Ortofon's top-of-the-line MM cartridge, the 2M Black Phono Cartridge, priced at $755. According to Ortofon, "The 2M series of cartridges feature Ortofon's trademark split-pole pins, an invention that enables moving-magnet cartridges to have a flat frequency response, as with a moving-coil cartridge. Split-pole pins were invented by Ortofon, and were originally presented in the 500 and OM Super series. We have optimized the design for ease of mounting the cartridge, and the weight and size to fit the most common turntables on the market today. The 2M Series provides excellent compatibility when used in an assortment of playback systems and with a wide variety of phono preamps."

The 2M Black is their statement version of the MM line, with a highly refined stylus and high output of almost 5mv. It is the heaviest MM the supplied all carbon arm will carry on this table. High compliance is needed here, and this Ortofon fits the bill. It was graciously supplied by MAG-LEV Audio for my use. It is easily twice as detailed in every way when compared to the OM10. It may now be possible to order the 2M Black with the ML1.

The Kubala-Sosna Elation! in place in my system

I am not fond of the supplied cables, either PC or interconnects, and replaced both to great effect. The PC was replaced by a $2000 Kubala-Sosna Elation! power cord, and the interconnects were replaced by WyWires' wonderful Silver phono cables at $850.

WyWires Silver phono cables on the ML1 output

The connectors are easy to work with as they are externally mounted. The improvement with these replacements over stock was shockingly great. Any top upgrade will work well, I am certain. I selected these from experience due to their neutral, intensely musical performance.

The E.A.R. 324 solid-state phono amp (image courtesy of E.A.R.)

Finally, I chose a very flexible phono stage, the E.A.R. 324 solid-state phono stage from Tim de Paravicini as it offers numerous adjustments for MM cartridges. I was able to tweak the 2M to its very best with the 324, which is priced at $6500. It is also the quietest phono stage in my arsenal, giving me an opportunity to luxuriate in the quiet of the MAG-LEV. To borrow a phrase from the late Harry Pearson, the ML1 is like driving a car where the wheels do not touch the ground.

Additionally, level the table! The feet do not level this turntable, so users must use thin shims under them. I used business cards, playing cards and the like to get the ML1 perfectly level, with a spirit level placed on the platter supported by the four extended columns.

Performance

Sublime! The musical intensity, lack of any distortion, lack of all feedback, smoothness, lack of grain, and enhanced purity of the timbres are outstanding. You will need a 40 pound suspended platter to replicate the smoothness, and maybe more. The tracking ability of the 2M at 1.5 grams is perfection. The evenness of tone and frequency response are ultra-sophisticated. Granted, the cartridge is not my Grado Epoch or LPS or vdH, but those cartridges do not function in this levitating setup. The overall satisfaction or gestalt of the ML1 playback as compared to my much more expensive designs is within striking distance to yield a great percentage of the pleasure I attained.

I tried LP after LP from my reference rack, 33 and 45 RPM, 150 to 200 gram, and stereo/mono with audiophile-level results. The ML1 did not falter or freeze or lose control...it just provided a super neutral platform for playback that both shocked and amazed me. Add to the excellent highs and midrange definition a bass response so clear, even, textured, and powerful as to nearly match my $6000 cartridges and $10,000 tables. Once you remove feedback and other vibration, the bass is the frequency region that most benefited to my ear. If you are looking for the ultimate separation of bass fiddles from organ from the cello, the ML1 is the ticket!

I do want to report that headphone use with the ML1 is better than you can imagine. I have never been fond of LP noise via headphones. They are often not an appropriate sonic combo.

Guess what?! Try them fed by the ML1 into your headamp via phono stage. This is a new experience for me. The fabulous Grado PS2000e cans are mellifluous to the max with the ML1 as the source. My Audeze LCD-X never sounded so remarkable. The $5000 final Sonorous X are astounding and will shake your toes. I found personal listening on the combination of the ML1 and my cans pure joy, particularly since the ML1 automatically lifts the tonearm at the end of the LP (after I doze off). Very nice.

Conclusion

I will continue to use the ML1 as a key source for my reference systems, and look forward to when MAG-LEV Audio does their own tweaking and model upgrades. This is an endeavor I truly hope they accomplish. Meanwhile, I must say again I did not expect anything like the ML1 in my lifetime, and am sincerely grateful to them for accomplishing this amazing feat of high-end audio legerdemain. Highly recommended.

ML1 Levitating Turntable

Retail: $2900, including Ortofon OM10

US Distributor

MAG-LEV Audio USA

11101 Condor Avenue

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

USA

1-800-494-7022

[email protected]

www.maglevaudiousa.com

MAG-LEV Audio d.o.o.

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