EAT C-Dur Concrete: two-minute evaluation
‘EAT’ = ‘European Audio Staff’. ‘C-Dur’ = ‘C-Main’ in German. ‘Concrete’ = ‘a mix of aggregates certain collectively by a hydraulic binder’. Put the three collectively and also you’ve probably the most particular person and dramatic-looking report gamers round, to not point out one of many dearer.
The C-Dur Concrete has the technical foundations to again up the asking value, although. The turntable itself, its ‘C-Word’ aluminum/carbon fibre tonearm and its ‘Jo No.8’ high-output transferring coil cartridge are all painstakingly engineered and work collectively harmoniously – and the result’s a report participant that, in the correct system, is a pleasure to hearken to in lots of respects.
It’s a staggeringly insightful system, for starters, even among the many best turntables – no element of a recording is simply too tremendous, too minor or too transient to elude it. It’s organized, too, in a position to describe a soundstage with full confidence and make the areas on it simply as important because the occurrences. Low-frequency management is absolute, so rhythmic expression is totally convincing. And with regards to huge dynamic shifts, it’s simply as completed as it’s with low-key harmonic variations.
An absence of outright scale undermines the C-Dur Concrete, although – it doesn’t sound particularly huge, and though it’s organized and managed, the soundstage it generates is undeniably positioned between the audio system you’re listening to. And while you’re speaking about this kind of cash for a report participant, this has to rely as a reasonably important shortcoming.
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Worth & launch date
The EAT C-Dur Concrete is on sale now, and in the UK it prices £6,499. That’s the value for the turntable and its bespoke C-Tone tonearm – if you wish to add the (really useful) Jo No.8 high-output transferring coil cartridge (which is how this evaluation is carried out), that value rises to £8,098. That’s as a result of the cartridge prices £1,999 when bought individually, or £1,599 if bought concurrently the turntable.
In America you’ll need to fork out round $7,499 for the turntable, plus a further $2,495 for the cartridge – a reduced value for the pair is prone to be obtainable, however there was nothing confirmed on the time of writing. No pricing is accessible for Australia as but, however a fast take a look at as we speak’s change charges suggests one thing like AU$12,999 plus AU$3,999 for the cartridge can be so as.
Not low-cost, is it (he stated helpfully)? And but you’ve a stack of alternative with regards to options. None of them is manufactured from concrete, admittedly, however fashions from manufacturers as credible as Linn, Professional-Ject and Rega (to call simply three) are all obtainable at comparable cash.
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Options
- 33.3, 45 and 78rpm
- 254mm aluminum/carbon tonearm
- Excessive output transferring coil cartridge
Undeniably, a number of the ‘pull’ of the C-Dur Concrete is, nicely, the concrete that’s utilized in its building. However that is no mere design train, this can be a lethal sequence turntable with the feature-set to again up the giddy asking value.
As an illustration, the chunky (5.2kg) platter is internally damped with a thermoplastic elastomer that provides each density and stability. A 900g aluminum sub-platter offers the platter much more isolation from the motor. The bearing block provides one other 1.8kg to the general weight and makes use of a cultured stainless-steel spindle to assist an inverted ceramic ball that capabilities as the principle bearing. This pairs with a Teflon plate for even better rotational stability.
The drive system, in the meantime, isolates the motor in a metal ring positioned within the concrete chassis itself, enhancing the platter’s probabilities of steady and uniform rotation. It additionally reduces resonance switch (already extraordinarily low, thanks once more to all that concrete). The motor has two areas for connection to a drive belt – and the turntable is equipped with two totally different belts, each of anti-static polished rubber.
The primary is comparatively broad and flat, sits on the higher a part of the motor and permits for 33.3 and 45rpm. The opposite is a ‘string’ form and matches over the motor’s decrease portion – that is the belt you match in order for you the platter to show at 78rpm.
The pre-fitted C-Word tonearm is, at 254mm, longer than the norm, is comprised of aluminum and carbon fiber for max rigidity, and is internally damped with silicon grease for as a lot resonance rejection as is realistically doable. It’s a unipivot design, which ought to ensure its cardan bearing is rarely overloaded – and the bearing itself is designed to supply minimal resistance and most stability.
The over-engineering of the tonearm makes much more sense while you get a take a look at the cartridge it’s designed to assist. The Jo No.8 high-output transferring coil cartridge encompasses a nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, with high-end copper windings (which is the kind of specification the asking value calls for) – nevertheless it’s the 19.2 x 25.1 x 28.3mm (HxWxD) dimensions which are most instantly placing. ‘Outsized’ solely begins to explain it.
So that is extremely well-specced and thought-out with regards to the practical options of being a formidable turntable – nevertheless it’s very a lot only a core turntable, so do not count on any ‘fashionable’ options corresponding to Bluetooth connectivity or USB output right here.
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Sound high quality
- Exceptional perception and element retrieval
- Organized, managed and but dynamic presentation
- Sounds reasonably small-scale and confined
The ‘execs’ are extra quite a few than the ‘cons’ the place the sound of the C-Dur Concrete is anxious – however the ‘cons’ are important, so we might as nicely begin there earlier than transferring on to the various methods through which this can be a straightforwardly admirable participant.
The sound of the C-Dur Concrete is on the small aspect. All the things that occurs, occurs throughout the confines of the outer edges of the audio system you’re listening to – and consequently it’s by no means simple to shake the thought of a ‘level supply’ of sound.
The outer edges of the cupboards of your speaker outline the outer edges of the soundstage the EAT can create – on this respect it sounds not like any price-comparable various, and never in a great way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a giant ensemble (corresponding to that concerned in Miles Davis’ Concierto de Aranjuez) or only a voice and a guitar (like Nick Drake’s Parasite); the presentation is organized and managed, however undeniably confined.
Get past this not-insignificant shortcoming, although, and the C-Dur Concrete is an especially adept and completed system. Its facility with element retrieval is approaching staggering – there isn’t a fleeting incidence in a recording that’s too minor or too deep within the combine to evade it. And having teased out all these tremendous particulars, the C-Dur has completely no drawback placing them into convincing context. Even when it’s probably the most transient harmonic variation within the strum of an acoustic guitar, this EAT turntable lets you recognize all about it.
The soundstage the turntable creates is plausible, and it in some way manages to present elbow-room to each component of a recording though the stage itself is nowhere close to as expansive because it may (and may) be. Its tonality is rigorously impartial, which permits the inherent sound of a recording to be expressed with none overt interference. And it balances the frequency vary rigorously, giving no undue prominence to any space.
Low-frequency data is strong and substantial, and is managed with such certainty that rhythmic expression (usually held up as probably the most apparent strengths of the vinyl format) is fully pure. Midrange expression, too, is completed – the voice throughout I Kicked a Boy by The Sundays is intimate, rapid and direct. And the highest of the frequency vary has chunk and brilliance in pretty equal measure, so treble sounds shine with out threatening to change into edgy or glassy.
All the things hangs collectively in an unforced and convincing method – there’s a real sensation of singularity and unity to the C-Dur Concrete’s presentation that makes me wish to attain for the dreaded phrase ‘musical’. And the areas and silences in recordings usually are not solely given their due emphasis, they’re as darkish and as quiet as from any turntable I’ve ever heard. This inky backdrop from which sounds happen is among the most gratifying issues about this complete EAT listening expertise.
- Sound high quality rating: 3.5 / 5
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Design
- 170 x 496 x 396mm (HxWxD)
- 32kg in weight
- Supported on three conical, height-adjustable, damped aluminum ft
If it’s somewhat visible drama you’re after, you’ve come to the correct place. EAT will promote you a model of the C-Dur constructed of MDF and completed in black or plum for quite a bit much less cash than this – however when you’ve seen (and touched) this concrete model, it’s onerous to withstand from a design standpoint.
At 170 x 496 x 396mm (HxWxD) it’s pretty huge, though not too huge to be accommodated by a normal tools rack. At 32kg with its platter in place, it’s heavier than the heaviest turntable you’ve ever encountered – and all of that weight is supported on a trio of pointed aluminium ft.
They’re excellent for isolating the deck from exterior vibration, and can assist in getting the turntable completely stage, however they focus the entire 32kg on to 3 tiny factors, which implies that an especially strong and hard-wearing shelf is so as if the C-Dur Concrete isn’t simply going to drive itself into the floor it’s standing on.
The usual of construct and end is, as appears solely affordable when you think about the asking value, principally impeccable. Any tiny flaws within the concrete (every plinth is exclusive, in fact) solely add to the character, and the tonearm feels pretty much as good (and as costly) because it seems. Even the cartridge physique – which is polished chestnut – gives a little bit of pizzazz.
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Usability & setup
- Automated velocity change
- Semi-balanced five-pin DIN to RCA cable
- Non-compulsory (and cost-option) energy provide improve
As with loads of turntables, there’s a level of pretty fiddly set-up required to get the EAT C-Dur Concrete prepared for motion. In contrast to fairly a number of turntables, although, when you’ve been via the set-up course of then working the EAT is kind of a painless course of.
As normal, the counterweight and anti-skate setting should be attended to. After that, although, it’s merely a query of becoming your most well-liked drive belt (which, let’s be sincere, goes to be the broader of the 2 that permits you to hearken to 33.3 or 45rpm discs), connecting the semi-balanced five-pin DIN finish of the cable to the deck and its left/proper RCAs to your (pre)amplifier on the different, and plugging within the energy adapter. Pace change is facilitated by two of the massive buttons on the plinth – the opposite is used for placing the turntable into ‘standby’.
It’s price mentioning that each the cable and the ability provide might be upgraded. A completely balanced cable is (inevitably) a value choice (£175, or £499 for the silver various should you’re feeling super-flush), and EAT may even promote you a linear energy provide (£1,349 if bought individually, a mere £1,079 should you purchase it concurrently the turntable).
EAT is assured the C-Dur Concrete’s AC generator, which makes use of the DC present from the ability provide, generates an nearly fully clear AC sign for the motor – however if you wish to make it as noiseless as doable then the linear energy provide is what you want.
- Usability and setup rating: 5 / 5
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Worth
- Requires add-ons to achieve full potential
- Not a class-leading performer for the value
- But it surely’s onerous to argue with its bodily affect
I nearly wrote that it’s unimaginable to place a value on an aesthetic as placing and particular person as this, however demonstrably it’s not. Within the context of the sound it makes, the C-Dur Concrete is way from the final phrase in worth for cash (and turns into much less so should you take the corporate up on its provide of an upgraded energy provide), however that’s not the identical as saying it doesn’t sound splendid in some ways.
And if you end up keen about the seems, the areas through which it’s not a class-leading performer is likely to be simpler to miss – however with my hardest ‘shopper recommendation’ head on, it’s onerous to make a watertight case for this turntable representing genuine worth.
Ought to I purchase the EAT C-Dur Concrete?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
No mod cons, however all of the core turntable specs are impeccable. |
4 / 5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Wonderful element and perception, however surprisingly restricted on scale. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
An awesome objet d’artwork, and meticulously well-constructed. |
5 / 5 |
|
Usability & setup |
So simple as high-end turntables get to arrange and use. |
5 / 5 |
|
Worth |
The insightful sound looks like a good value, nevertheless it does not wow for bang-for-buck. |
3 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
EAT C-Dur Concrete evaluation: Additionally take into account
How I examined EAT C-Dur Concrete
I listened to the C-Dur Concrete for nicely over every week, with a wide range of music on vinyl in a wide range of circumstances. It was positioned on the highest shelf of my Blok Stax 2G tools rack (which is how I do know the load of the turntable can harm picket cabinets), and linked through its equipped semi-balanced cable to a Chord Huei phono stage, which it flip was linked to a Naim Uniti Star appearing as a quantity management and pre-amplifier.
The Naim was linked to a Cambridge Audio Edge W stereo energy amplifier, which drove a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature loudspeakers on their bespoke FS-600 S3 stands.