Flexson Vinylplay Review

[hybridauth_Facebook_10157027020560495]

I see that What hifi has just reviewed this turntable:

http://www.whathifi.com/flexson/vinylplay/review

I find the conclusion surprising. According to the review the turntable compares negatively on sound, and seemingly build quality, to a Rega RP1, however:

- The turntable is built by Rega, in the UK Rega factory

- It has the same plinth (with a gloss finish), platter, belt, tonearm and cartridge as a the RP1

- It has the upgraded 24V motor compared to the RP1's mains motor

- It has a built-in phono stage, based on the highly regarded Rega fono mini.

At £250 I'd therefore regard this as a bit of a bargain, and am surprised that it somehow seems to be less than the sum of its parts.

 

[BigH]

Its only £199 at one dealer.

I would not take too much notice of reviews, the review was not bad, did they test them alongside each other? Just because its built by Rega and is based does not mean it will sound the same, it has quite a few extras so maybe some corners have been cut elsewhere? Looks good value though but I would not buy a cheap Rega TT.

 

[NSA_watch_my_toilet]

I would not at all take notice of reviews. Specially not those from hifi portals linked to magazines.

When you have experience in things, you can see through review flaws. As you underlined, you have a strong rega implication of the mentionned turntable. Even if you noticed that some improvements are on board.

At first, the reviewer don't give any clue of the testing material.

Descritpion of the source material is rushed.

You have no clue about the tastes of the reviewer. You don't know where he's standing and what he likes, that makes you impossible to pinpoint where you are towards him.

Whathifi? didin't realised nor published even one minimal mesure made by themseleves ; at all. That is of amateuristic level.

There is no showing of the inside and no further analysis of the components made. Amateur level, again.

The whole review seems to be rushed towards conclusion. Probably written in a haste before the last train in the evening.

Add to that, that this portal and forum is the official Rega supporter page (even the CEO and top engeneers are around), that makes it very difficult to aknowledge any product to be better. You can clearly see the same trend going on when reading a Rega review on this portal, with one exception : The review always is rushing toward perfection.

Add to that, that censorship by the builders is a common thing for a magazine, and that a great seller (aka great publicity revenue financer) will not tolerate a bad review.

How do you want this review to be accurate ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want to make good use of reviews. You must learn to look through the flaws of the reviews. Is the person knowledgeable ? Does he has experience with other products of different quality ? Is he able to talk about technical aspects ? Did he understand basical technical aspects and is he accuratte in his knowledge ? Is he a senior member of a forum, or a freshman bursting in for shouting his love for his TT ? What are the recommandation of this product on other forums ? Did you see a great difference between the results of reviews from users that fit the criteria above (when yes, it's generally that a group influence bias is going on, or hidden web advertisment) ? This is no simple task.

I, personnaly, enjoy to read about hifi, so it took it's time, but I'm happy now to know what I know.

 

[spiny norman]

You don't know where he's standing and what he likes, that makes you impossible to pinpoint where you are towards him.

Or even that the reviewer is a 'he'.

Whathifi? didin't realised nor published even one minimal mesure made by themseleves ; at all.

Never have, never do, probably never will.

The whole review seems to be rushed towards conclusion. Probably written in a haste before the last train in the evening.

Or again, it could be the work of many weeks, but the reviewer is just a bit rubbish.

Add to that, that censorship by the builders is a common thing for a magazine

Surely they haven't still got the builders in? They moved offices ages ago.

How do you want this review to be accurate ?

Oh, how I want that, just as I want you to make one point with any credibility.

I'm happy now to know what I know.

Or rather to know what you think you know. But hey, if it makes you happy!

 

[The_Lhc]

The fact that NSA writes his own reviews for other websites has got nothing to do with it of course.

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

 

[spiny norman]

The fact that NSA writes his own reviews for other websites has got nothing to do with it of course.

Ah, but is he a senior forum member, and are they as well written as that last post of his, or do they not so much rush to a conclusion as start with a conclusion and rush to justify it?

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

Chainsaw.

 

[NSA_watch_my_toilet]

Absolutely. If I would do that, I would immediately suicide myself. Because it's the only honorable behavior a man must have in this situation. Hifi is a sacred thing and peoples messing with it in their own monetary interest must die.

I use the forum to share my experience with other users, in the same way The_LHC use it to share his hate about other users.

 

[NSA_watch_my_toilet]

You don't know where he's standing and what he likes, that makes you impossible to pinpoint where you are towards him.

Or even that the reviewer is a 'he'.

Brings nothing to the point. They could be a team, it don't change anything.

Whathifi? didin't realised nor published even one minimal mesure made by themseleves ; at all.

Never have, never do, probably never will.

Their problem in the end. But make the whole review a good amount less helpful.

The whole review seems to be rushed towards conclusion. Probably written in a haste before the last train in the evening.

Or again, it could be the work of many weeks, but the reviewer is just a bit rubbish.

Now it's suddenly "a reviewer". It just show how futile and out of the window your first point was.

Add to that, that censorship by the builders is a common thing for a magazine

Surely they haven't still got the builders in? They moved offices ages ago.

Again, un-useful comment that makes no point. Using Irony will not bring you anywhere.

How do you want this review to be accurate ?

Oh, how I want that, just as I want you to make one point with any credibility.

After your brillant demonstration, I'm sure it would be a waste of time. The simpel fact that you write such a thing just show me that you and John Snow are sharing the same passion.

I'm happy now to know what I know.

Or rather to know what you think you know. But hey, if it makes you happy!

And you want to demonstrate that ? It's sweet.

 

[expat_mike]

Absolutely. If I would do that, I would immediately suicide myself. Because it's the only honorable behavior a man must have in this situation. Hifi is a sacred thing and peoples messing with it in their own monetary interest must die.

I use the forum to share my experience with other users, in the same way The_LHC use it to share his hate about other users.

LHC and Spiny have obviously not looked at the website link to your articles, that you provided a few days ago.

Attention to detail matters. *lol*

 

[Al ears]

I see that What hifi has just reviewed this turntable:

http://www.whathifi.com/flexson/vinylplay/review

I find the conclusion surprising. According to the review the turntable compares negatively on sound, and seemingly build quality, to a Rega RP1, however:

- The turntable is built by Rega, in the UK Rega factory

- It has the same plinth (with a gloss finish), platter, belt, tonearm and cartridge as a the RP1

- It has the upgraded 24V motor compared to the RP1's mains motor

- It has a built-in phono stage, based on the highly regarded Rega fono mini.

At £250 I'd therefore regard this as a bit of a bargain, and am surprised that it somehow seems to be less than the sum of its parts.

Are you in any way connected to the manufacturer of this turntable? I think we should be told.

It's funny how different people read reviews because to me that was a good review of a deck that didn't quite make its fifth star. Having said that adding all those extra bits to a deck then selling it at that price I am not at all surprised it is sonically inferior to a similarly priced deck that is designed to do one thing only.

But that's just me.

 

[NSA_watch_my_toilet]

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

You know that you can take them apart and that not all turntables are the same ? Do you ?

Let me add to that, that I find it fascinating how you show up from nowhere on a irregulary basis to criticize other peoples. I don't know where you live and if it's possible, but I really recommend you to seek the help of some professional about that. Yes, it's an intervention.

 

[Al ears]

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

You know that you can take them apart and that not all turntables are the same ? Do you ?

Let me add to that, that I find it fascinating how you show up from nowhere on a irregulary basis to criticize other peoples. I don't know where you live and if it's possible, but I really recommend you to seek the help of some professional about that. Yes, it's an intervention.

You want to take apart a solid plinth????

Might I suggest you spend your time assisting on some other forum rather than attacking members of this one. Just a suggestion like. ;-)

 

[The_Lhc]

Absolutely. If I would do that, I would immediately suicide myself. Because it's the only honorable behavior a man must have in this situation. Hifi is a sacred thing and peoples messing with it in their own monetary interest must die.

I use the forum to share my experience with other users, in the same way The_LHC use it to share his hate about other users.

At least when I "share my hate" people know Wtf I'm on about...

 

[The_Lhc]

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

You know that you can take them apart and that not all turntables are the same ? Do you ?

Let me add to that, that I find it fascinating how you show up from nowhere on a irregulary basis to criticize other peoples. I don't know where you live and if it's possible, but I really recommend you to seek the help of some professional about that. Yes, it's an intervention.

You want to take apart a solid plinth????

Exactly. I'm sure the people on Can I Blend This would be interested but I'm not sure it's that much help in a serious review.

 

[The_Lhc]

And how do you show the inside of a turntable?

You know that you can take them apart and that not all turntables are the same ? Do you ?

Ummm, am I aware that there is more than one turntable being made? Yes, I think so, it would certainly explain the half dozen or more different models I've got in the house at any rate. I really don't see what taking the platter off to show the sub platter and belt is going to achieve though.

Let me add to that, that I find it fascinating how you show up from nowhere on a irregulary basis to criticize other peoples. I don't know where you live and if it's possible, but I really recommend you to seek the help of some professional about that. Yes, it's an intervention.

Oh it's not "peoples", it's just you, you're funny, I like you, you take everything so seriously, it's fun to ***** your pomposity occasionally.

 

[spiny norman]

Now it's suddenly "a reviewer". It just show how futile and out of the window your first point was.

Hey, I wan't the one who knew if was not just a reviewer, but a male reviewer.

Again, un-useful comment that makes no point. Using Irony will not bring you anywhere.

I have some degree of confidence that you wouldn't understand irony if was made into a bary and you were hity with it.

The simpel fact that you write such a thing just show me that you and John Snow are sharing the same passion.

I'm sorry, I don't watch Game of Thrones. Or Channel 4 News. Or study the history of anaesthesia.

And you want to demonstrate that ? It's sweet.

Ah I see: it's just words put together irrespective of context or meaning. Call WHF in the morning – you're a natural.

 

[spiny norman]

Let me add to that, that I find it fascinating how you show up from nowhere on a irregulary basis to criticize other peoples. I don't know where you live and if it's possible, but I really recommend you to seek the help of some professional about that.

Ah, the old 'mental health problem' strategy. That one's used far too 'regulary' I'm afraid.

Yes, it's an intervention.

I suggest you extravent yourself pdq, before you make yourself look even dafter.

 

[spiny norman]

Hifi is a sacred thing and peoples messing with it in their own monetary interest must die.

So when does this genocide of the entire audio industry begin?

 

[Al ears]

Hifi is a sacred thing and peoples messing with it in their own monetary interest must die.

So when does this genocide of the entire audio industry begin?

I'll never tart up a turntable prior to selling again, I promise......

 

[spiny norman]

I'll never tart up a turntable prior to selling again, I promise......

Welcome to the church of the sacred hi-fi, my child.

 

[Canguino Purlat]

Baaaaaad vibes. I thought hifi was about having fun...

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10157027020560495]

Are you in any way connected to the manufacturer of this turntable? I think we should be told.

It's funny how different people read reviews because to me that was a good review of a deck that didn't quite make its fifth star. Having said that adding all those extra bits to a deck then selling it at that price I am not at all surprised it is sonically inferior to a similarly priced deck that is designed to do one thing only.

But that's just me.

No connection to the manufacturer. I do, however, own one of these turntables and read a lot of other reviews before purchasing. All of them stated that it was made by Rega, so I am surprised that this review did not pick up on that, in the same way that the review of the NAD C556 did.

I am not questioning the reviewer or his/her conclusions, I was just surprised by the relative comparisons rather than the 4 stars.
The integrated phono stage will limit appeal as it is not defeatable whereas the RP1 and new AT LP5 can be used with any phono stage you like. In my case I wanted a one-box solution, £250 was my budget, and I didn't like the Project Essential or AT LP120.

 

[luckylion100]

for What Hi-Fi anyway... thing is it's up against the new Audio Technica AR-LP5 offering better build, styling and performance for between £80-100 more depending on what deal you get. I know where my money would go...

 

[Andy Clough]

Officially Flexson doesn't confirm that the VinylPlay is based on the Rega RP1, but basically it is very similar apart from a high-gloss acrylic base for the plinth which we felt gave it a slightly plasticky, lightweight feel.

In the June issue of the magazine (on sale May 4th) we test the Flexson VinylPlay against the Rega RP1 Performance Pack and the Audio-Technica AT-LP5. It is in that context that the Flexson gets four stars, but it still gets a "hearty recommendation", especially if your budget is limited to £250 (hot tip - there is one retailer currently selling it for £199).

And for the record we test as a team, split 50:50 male/female.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10157027020560495]

for What Hi-Fi anyway... thing is it's up against the new Audio Technica AR-LP5 offering better build, styling and performance for between £80-100 more depending on what deal you get. I know where my money would go...

The LP5 is interesting. It wasn't out when I bought mine so I've not seen/heard it, but is quite a bit dearer if you add a dust cover. For the difference in price you could add the Rega performance pack to the Flexson, which would make for an interesting comparison I think.