96 MACWORLD AUGUST 2019
PLAY LIST REVIEW: YAMAHA MUSICCAST VINYL 500 WI-FI TURNTABLEphono preamp in your ensemble. And best
of all, its flexible design is suitable for both
the vinyl novice and the seasoned
audiophile.
IT STARTS WITH A SOLID
TURNTABLE DESIGN
Yamaha’s analog-to-digital magic trick
starts with a high-quality turntable design,
including a substantive base constructed
from MDF (medium density fiberboard)
that’s complemented by adjustable,
vibration-dampening feet. MDF is valued
for its rigidity and vibration-dampening
properties, which is essential for good
turntable performance.
The Yamaha comes standard with a
die-cast aluminum platter and a straight
tonearm outfitted with an Audio-Technica
MM (moving magnet) cartridge. This is a
belt-drive design with an isolated DC
synchronous motor that’s physically isolated
from the platter that spins the record.
During setup, you simply slip your finger
through one of the holes in the platter and
slide the belt over the motor pulley.
Belt-drive turntables are coveted for
their ability to reduce vibration. Direct-drive
turntables, like the Cambridge Audio Alva
TT I reviewed in March, emphasize higher
torque and quicker start/stop times. As a
general rule, high-end direct-drive
turntables cost considerably more than
good belt-drive models (The Alva TT costs
a cool grand more than this Yamaha model).
So one of the characteristics of the
Vinyl 500 that really impressed me was
how quickly this turntable was able to start
and stop—its performance in this area was
much closer to direct-drive turntables than
it was to belt-drive models.
That’s sure to appeal to
first-time vinyl enthusiasts.ADD NETWORKING
AND MUSICCAST
You’ll get the most benefit
from the Vinyl 500 if you also
own other speakers and
wireless components based
on Yamaha’s MusicCast
multi-room audio technology.
Yamaha offers a broad array
of compatible speakers,Yamaha’s MusicCast Vinyl 500 is a belt-drive turntable. You
slip the belt onto the motor through a hole in the platter.