Page 116 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

VINYL SECTION

Blue Aura's PG-1 turntable flanked by the system it was designed to match, comprising ps40 loud-
speakers at left and V40 amplifier at right, with remote control. The turntable can be connected
directly to the V40 or via Bluetooth digital radio link.

cartridges over 6gm cannot be used, The plinth measures 420mm hybrid amplifier has a silicon power
such as Audio Technica’s VM95 budget wide, 130mm high (lid closed) and chip inside, fronted by valves,
series that come in at 6.1gm. The 345mm deep (lid closed). Opening including an EM84 magic eye that
common upper limit is 10gm so the the lid makes overall depth 420mm glows green for added visual appeal
PG-1 has restriction here; it isn’t a due to rear overhang, and demands – these things acting as radio tuning
turntable for upgraders. I suspect 400mm top clearance – important indicators in the past.
Blue Aura’s quoted weight range is dimensions for anyone using a wall To initiate Bluetooth pairing
inaccurate and a heavier cartridge rack system. The three feet do not I had to switch off power at rear
would be compatible – but getting height-adjust so a level surface is then back on, at which point the
the tight fitting connectors off one needed. unit paired both with the VA40 and
channel to make internal amplifier Weight is quoted as 5.8kg (light- a Cambridge Audio streamer (used
measurements was difficult, so to ish) and power is delivered by a small for measurement) that confirmed
avoid damage – that manufacturers wall-wart 12V / 500mA power unit, 44.1kHz sample rate digital. There’s
don’t like in review samples – I having a 2m long lead. Low voltage quite a lot of latency in the system,
decided against swapping cartridges external supplies like this with no so drop arm onto LP and there’s a
earth connection eliminate hum. short silence until the music starts
The PG-1 has a well made and – eerie! Cue arm up and the music
finished plinth with a single pair of keeps playing – disconcerting! Happily
phono socket outputs at rear that it does stop when the buffers run
deliver either output direct from the out, after 0.5 secs or so I would
cartridge or from the internal phono guess.
stage, a small slide switch making the The PG-1’s electrical Line output
choice. There’s also a small blue LED is weak and the VA40’s gain low via
at rear that winks to show Bluetooth its ‘RCA’ phono-socket inputs so I
connection. had volume turned right up here.
I connected up to the Line Swapping to the more sensitive
input of our Creek amplifier, then AUX input (3.5mm input jack) gave
Aux input of the VA40. However, apparently more volume (more gain
Audio Technica's AT-3600 moving magnet the turntable’s Bluetooth output can in fact).
cartridge is fitted as standard. The finger also be used to pair to the VA40, Blue Aura claim 30 Watts
lift is removable and can be changed. which has a Bluetooth receiver from their VA40 amplifier but our
– more in a minute on this. As Blue measurements show it delivers 10
to check this. Aura note the PG-1 can transmit Watts (15 Watts into 4 Ohms) as
Bias force is applied by a small to Bluetooth equipped headphones we found in our original review (July
counterweight and thread assembly. or loudspeakers, avoiding wires 2016 issue).
The arm has good bearings that altogether. Bluetooth also means And finally, the little ps40
allowed it to float freely when it can be sited away from the hi-fi, loudspeakers (£179) complete the
balanced out, so in all it performs perhaps in a firm location. system. Reviewed in our November
well. Blue Aura’s lovely little VA40 2016 issue we thought these were
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