Onkyo CP-1050 Direct Drive Turntable Overview

[HTKamikazee]

Analog... Analog... Analog... Who doesn't love it?

For those who remain true to the power of analog sound and Onkyo, we have awesome news for you.

With the "revival" of turntables and the magic of analog sound, Onkyo has jumped into the action once again with their new CP-1050 Direct Drive Turntable. This unit features a low-torque, direct-drive motor that is supposed to reduce low-frequency cogging noise as well as the high-frequency noise produced by some belt-driven designs. This machine plays both 33s and 45s, and also comes with an adapter for 7-inch records. Die-cast aluminum platter and rubber slipmat provide stability and protection for your vinyl.

Two gold-plated pin-type RCA phono terminals output left and right channel signals to your external phono preamp. It has an aluminum tonearm with a detachable headshell that supports a range of aftermarket cartridges between 11/64 oz. and 11/32 oz (it will need an adjustable counterweight system for this).

Some features:

• Built to Deliver Affordable Audiophile-Grade Sound.
• Stable Direct-Drive System.
• Customized Brushless DC Motor.
• Quartz-Lock Control System for High-Precision Rotation.
• Solid Anti-Vibration MDF Cabinet Construction with.
• Die-cast 12" (305 mm) Aluminum Platter.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Over 60 dB.
• Aluminum Static-Balance S-shaped Tonearm.
• Moving-Magnet (MM) Cartridge Included.
• Detachable Headshell Compatible with Aftermarket Cartridges.

Price (MSRP): $599.00

Tell us... Are you jumping into the analog world too?

 

[Seth=L]

The Technics SL-1200 was in production since the 70's and they stopped making them in 2010. They were and probably still are the definitive direct drive turntable. I believe the success of that turntable may well have been the force that kept most manufacturers from developing and manufacturing their own direct drive turntables for nearly two decades. Almost any modern entry turntable you see is belt driven. With Technics out of the game it's entirely possible to see direct drive make a comeback.

The MSRP of this deck is very appealing. With Yamaha doing it's retro amplifier thing I wonder how long it will be before they decide it's time to start developing some direct drive turntables to match.

 

[3db]

There were two camps in the turntable wars, direct drive and belt drive. They have been at odds since the inception of the turntable. The funny thing is, both have strengths and weaknesses and neither system is perfect. I've heard some belt drive tables that just sounded far better than the Technics so I would not put all my eggs in the direct drive camp. I've also heard belt drive tables that sounded worse than the Technics so I'm not putting all my eggs in the belt drive camp either. I urge people to audition them and see what sounds best to them.

 

[Seth=L]

There were two camps in the turntable wars, direct drive and belt drive. They have been at odds since the inception of the turntable. The funny thing is, both have strengths and weaknesses and neither system is perfect. I've heard some belt drive tables that just sounded far better than the Technics so I would not put all my eggs in the direct drive camp. I've also heard belt drive tables that sounded worse than the Technics so I'm not putting all my eggs in the belt drive camp either. I urge people to audition them and see what sounds best to them.

I didn't mean to imply that if you had/have a Technics SL-1200 turntable that you have the best turntable possible. There are direct drive and belt driven tables that are far superior. My point is that at the price point the SL-1200 was offered it was extremely competitive and was often chosen for a plethora of reasons. It requires almost no maintenance, it's consistent, and properly cared for it will last a lifetime. If vinyl is something someone is interested in, wants good performance, and quick/easy to use, a quality direct drive is the preferred route.

 

[3db]

I didn't mean to imply that if you had/have a Technics SL-1200 turntable that you have the best turntable possible. There are direct drive and belt driven tables that are far superior. My point is that at the price point the SL-1200 was offered it was extremely competitive and was often chosen for a plethora of reasons. It requires almost no maintenance, it's consistent, and properly cared for it will last a lifetime. If vinyl is something someone is interested in, wants good performance, and quick/easy to use, a quality direct drive is the preferred route.

I disagree with your assertion that direct drive is the preferred route. That maybe your personal preference but not mine. I have owned both and I can assure you that there is more maintenance involved in maintaining vinyl than there is in maintaining a belt or direct drive TT. There is little difference if any in the maintenance of a direct drive or a belt drive deck.

 

[slipperybidness]

The way that the SL1200 implemented direct drive is what makes the SL1200 top-dog for DD tables! Also, the quartz timing method can't be beat!

If you are a DJ, you need a table that can come back up to speed very quickly, so DD is the way to go.

I have a DD SL1210 and a BD Pro-Ject Debut Carbon.

Overall, I prefer the SL1210. But, it was also almost 3x the price!

Also, I have spent my younger days in the clubs and had friends that spin vinyl. For me, the SL1200 series is iconic!!! I would never, ever sell it, it's a permanent part of my collection. It does more right than it does wrong, it's built like a tank, and parts and expertise for repairs and mods are readily available.

My 2 peeves on the Pro-Ject: The cheap looking anti-skate device (discussed in another thread), and the wall-wart power supply. One day, I'll get around to either buying a speed box or building a motor controller. On the other hand, the Debut came with a $100 cart installed, has a carbon fiber tone arm, and the finish of the blue model is immaculate!

I would and I have chosen the SL1210 or the Pro-Ject Debut over the Onkyo hunk.

 

[Seth=L]

I disagree with your assertion that direct drive is the preferred route. That maybe your personal preference but not mine. I have owned both and I can assure you that there is more maintenance involved in maintaining vinyl than there is a belt or direct drive and there is little difference if nay between the maintenance of a direct and a belt drive.

Then much like anything else, it's all subjective. I'm not going to talk about it with you anymore.

 

[highfigh]

Don't fight, play nice!

Direct drive is more accurate and they can use high-torue motors, belt drive can be stable with better isolation between the motor and platter/tonearm. DJs need/prefer high-torque because they snap up to speed and they can time their fades better than if they have to guess or if the table comes up to speed randomly.

Lots of manufacturers built DD turntables but once the accuracy was nailed, there was no point in reinventing that particular wheel, so they came up with more linear-tracking, servo-controlled tonearms for damping noise and different materials. Some of these worked great but over time, it has been shown that simple is better. I have a Sony PS-X600 with their BioTracer tonearm and if the circuitry/mechanism ever fail, I'll just have a nice, heavy paper weight. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the almost non-existent background noise and its ability to handle warped records with ease (I use a record clamp).

Direct or belt driven- if it's designed and built well, it will play well.

If anyone ever has a chance to buy a JVC JL-B31 turntable, pass. That thing was a feedback monster!

 

[highfigh]

At $500 MAP, they should have used a better cartridge or left it off and let the buyer choose something else. That would hit a lower price point and it would be a better seller. Looks decent/retro enough, though.