With their Model-One Turntable Music System, MA based Andover Audio has achieved the seemingly impossible by creating a stylish all in one turntable, speaker, DAC, amp, and Bluetooth enabled preamp combination that even picky audiophiles like me can easily fall in love with.
Until now all in one turntable solutions, think Crosley, have largely been anathema to most self respecting audiophiles, long derided by turntable cognoscenti, and the punchline of many high end audio jokes. While those of us of a certain age may harken back romantically to the behemoth all in one console HiFis our parents and grandparents owned, owning an all in one, let alone using one to play our precious records, is another thing entirely. Separates rule the day in audiophile land.
The reasons for this aversion to all in one designs are well founded and numerous, first and foremost—resonance (aka vibration), the dreaded enemy of all turntables, tonearms, and styli. Historically a turntable sitting directly on top of, or in close proximity to a speaker is about as bad as one could get when it came to reducing unwanted interaction. First rule of good vinyl playback, isolate your turntable from unwanted vibrations using all manner of racks, platforms, footers, and locate your speakers as far away from your analog rig as you possibly can.
Andover Audio has a created a true paradigm shift with the Model-One, a modern day, compact Bluetooth enabled all in one music system with Mid-Century aesthetics that manages to isolate and effectively eliminate all perceptible interaction between its six powerful speakers, the Class D 150-watt amplifier driving them, its optional powered sub woofer, and the first class turntable sitting directly on top of them. If you know anything about vinyl playback then you know just what an amazing a feat of engineering this is! In fact, if I hadn't experienced it myself I wouldn't have believed it. That said, I'm here to tell you, the Model-One delivers in no uncertain terms. How the hell did they do it!? Enquiring minds want to know.
Andover calls this isolation magic trick "IsoGroove Vibration Cancelation Technology." By any name, it works. The Model-One's turntable is custom designed, based around Pro-Ject's Debut Carbon Espirit SB, a solid foundation for anyone interested in spinning vinyl. The table ships with an Ortofon OM2 "Silver" Moving Magnet Cartridge pre-installed, and an acrylic platter that adds mass, looks sexy as hell, and most importantly assists in further dampening unwanted vibrations. Setting up the Model-One is a snap, even for a total beginner. Simply unwrap everything, seat the platter on the turntable, follow the step by step instructions to dial in the cartridge's tracking force weight, attach all requisite cables, and you're off to the races. Keep in mind, you can always swap out the included cartridge at a later date if desired.
Ever the skeptic I wondered how the required 1.8 grams of tracking force could possibly be accurately set with only a few a twists of the tonearm's counterweights as per the instructions. I used the Ortofon tracking force gauge I have on hand to see if the correct weight had actually been achieved without needing a scale to do it. To my surprise it was exactly 1.8 grams! That's impressive Andover, great bit of engineering there.
The Model-One is stunning to behold. Trimmed in a genuine hardwood walnut frame with metal accents, the Model-One is visually striking and substantial in both look and feel. Other amenities include a well implemented hinged dust cover, leveling feet, one of the coolest matching remotes I've seen in a long time, and several optional add-ons such as a powered sub, vinyl storage cube, and Andover's forthcoming Songbird Hi-Res Streamer shipping in November. The Model-One can be used with great results as a standalone all-in-one solution, or stacked on top of its companion vinyl storage cube, and or powered dual 10" driver sub woofer for a music system with all the bells and whistles your heart could possibly desire. This dreamy stack was the sample reviewed. And the sound… amazing!
As adept in the analog domain as it is the digital, the Model-One is the complete package. Bluetooth enabled with APT-X, the Model-One makes high quality streaming from tablets and smart phones simple. Pairing with the Model-One was quick and easy, all I had to do next was choose my desired streaming service and start enjoying great music. Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz all sounded great. I was even able to stream to the Model-One using Roon by simply enabling my iPhone or iPad as a Zone in Roon's settings. Simple and powerful, just how it should be!
As a point source the Model-One produces its sound from a central position, so technically you're not getting a true stereo image. That said the Model-One's second magic trick is its remarkable room filling "stereo like" sound. A hat tip to Andover's DSP implementation as it does an excellent job creating a quasi stereo experience. How good? Good enough for picky audiophiles interested in a compact turntable / Bluetooth HiFi solution. Several user selectable DSP options are available, making it easy to find your particular sweet spot. My DSP preference for the Model-One is Panoramic M. I feel it provides the most realistic faux stereo image in my space.
The Model-One standalone unit is a solid performer. With six dynamic drivers in total, four 3.5" Aluminum Diaphragm Woofers, two Air Motion Transformer Tweeters, and a 150W Bi-Amped Class-D Design, the Model-One is a powerhouse. Records and streaming sound dynamic, punchy, and detailed at listening levels above what one would expect for a device in this category. In other words yes you can rock out with this bad boy. Low gain also preforms admirably, plenty of classical music was streamed and spun with great satisfaction. The Model-One never become boomy or brassy and even at higher gain levels there was never a hint of vibration interaction between speakers and turntable. Even with the optional dual 10" driver powered sub base installed! Despite its DSP backbone, overall the Model-One has a very non-digital, natural, and musical sound. In other words, it doesn't bite.
Operating in the Model-One is simple and intuitive. On the front of the chassis are a power button, headphone jack, and centrally located control knob backed by a context sensitive LCD menu used to navigate its options. Here you choose your preferred input, the Model-One's built-in turntable or a digital streaming source via Bluetooth, control volume, set DSP preferences for its speakers, and more. Noteworthy features include automatic signal detection source switching for digital sources and a useful power saving option for the Aux 2 input (a combination analog / optical jack) which puts the Model-One into standby when no signal has been detected for over five minutes.
Andover's Model-One isn't intended to compete with or replace a multiple component audiophile HiFi system. The Model-One's strengths are its simplicity, ease of use, one button operation, compact footprint, Mid-Century style, and terrific room enveloping sound. No complex power on, power off sequence involving multiple components here. Simply turn the Model-One on and start enjoying your records or streaming music in seconds, it's really that easy, music to my ears!
If you're looking for a simple, compact, uncomplicated way to connect with your music without compromises Andover Audio's Model-One Turntable Music System is the way to go. Recommended.
Model-One Turntable Music System
Retail: $1999
Model-One Subwoofer
Retail: $799
Model-One Upper Stand
Retail: $299
Andover Audio
