Taking my AMG V12 for a spin...

Here I am with a new profile.

Welcome Matthias, I am sure you can create great value on the forum.

Openness and honest disclosure is the only meaningful way forward.

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Hello Kuoppis, I have just stumbled across your thread and I have read it with great interest. The AMG V12 was one of the darling TT’s 4-5 years ago and I read Alan Sircom’s 2014 review in detail. Things have gone a bit quiet on the forums since, so it has been great to read this discussion. I have an AMG V12 on order and I should take delivery of it in the next 2 weeks. Until now, I have owned a Palmer 2.5-12 turntable paired with a 12” AMG 12J2 tonearm finished in chrome (which I believe is the only one in existence). Quite an unusual combination.

I had the unique opportunity to compare my Palmer/AMG 12J2 with an AMG V12/AMG 12J2 in my system. It was not quite a fair fight as the Palmer was fitted with a Benz Wood SL and the AMG V12 with a Benz LP-S. But it gave me a reasonable idea of the underlying differences. The AMG V12 combo bought extra calmness and naturalness to the music, utterly clear and free of any artefacts. I’m sure AMG’s bearing design has something to do with this. The V12 combo also bought extra insight, focus and greater stage depth although how much of that is due to the Benz LP-S is hard to say. The Palmer combination delivered a slightly more voluptuous bass, whilst the AMG combo had cleaner punch on percussion.

I have seen one person on another forum describe the AMG as lacking drive and bass performance, but that certainly hasn’t been my experience. Often these judgements come down to using sensible combinations of gear, and setting the turntable up properly. Anyway, I thought my tale would be of interest. BTW, the reviews on the V12 by Alan Sircom and Michael Fremer have echoed my impressions.
 
Hello Kuoppis, I have just stumbled across your thread and I have read it with great interest. The AMG V12 was one of the darling TT’s 4-5 years ago and I read Alan Sircom’s 2014 review in detail. Things have gone a bit quiet on the forums since, so it has been great to read this discussion. I have an AMG V12 on order and I should take delivery of it in the next 2 weeks. Until now, I have owned a Palmer 2.5-12 turntable paired with a 12” AMG 12J2 tonearm finished in chrome (which I believe is the only one in existence). Quite an unusual combination.

I had the unique opportunity to compare my Palmer/AMG 12J2 with an AMG V12/AMG 12J2 in my system. It was not quite a fair fight as the Palmer was fitted with a Benz Wood SL and the AMG V12 with a Benz LP-S. But it gave me a reasonable idea of the underlying differences. The AMG V12 combo bought extra calmness and naturalness to the music, utterly clear and free of any artefacts. I’m sure AMG’s bearing design has something to do with this. The V12 combo also bought extra insight, focus and greater stage depth although how much of that is due to the Benz LP-S is hard to say. The Palmer combination delivered a slightly more voluptuous bass, whilst the AMG combo had cleaner punch on percussion.

I have seen one person on another forum describe the AMG as lacking drive and bass performance, but that certainly hasn’t been my experience. Often these judgements come down to using sensible combinations of gear, and setting the turntable up properly. Anyway, I thought my tale would be of interest. BTW, the reviews on the V12 by Alan Sircom and Michael Fremer have echoed my impressions.

Hi Pallen, thank you for the great posting and sharing of your experiences.

My own observations very much resemble what you are describing. The V12 system soundstage depth, detail retrieval, steadiness and bass punch wrought by the high-mass platter are just exceptional. I have also read the same comments about the bass, but would equally argue that it is more likely a result of system synergy like choice of tonearm cable. I am currently running the AMG Reference phono cable, which definitely is worth the upgrade. In my system the Viella has pretty much a similar bass quality as my digital system.

What I also like about vinyl is that you do not have to run after every new gadget as e.g. in case of DACs, as the technology is already more matured. Hence the V12 was among the best 4-5 years ago as you say, and still is today.

Please report back when you have received your V12, I would be keen to hear your impressions. And congrats on the great purchase.

Welcome to the AMG V12 club, I think there are a number of us around here on the forum.


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Update for the V12:

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I've got a V12 as well and love it. Any of you guys experience the the arm lift lever wanting to fall on it's own when the arm is docked?
That's about my only beef.

I would really like to hear the Brinkmann Balance 2-arm ... soon hopefully.
 
I've got a V12 as well and love it. Any of you guys experience the the arm lift lever wanting to fall on it's own when the arm is docked?
That's about my only beef.

I would really like to hear the Brinkmann Balance 2-arm ... soon hopefully.

Welcome!


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I've got a V12 as well and love it. Any of you guys experience the the arm lift lever wanting to fall on it's own when the arm is docked?
That's about my only beef.

I would really like to hear the Brinkmann Balance 2-arm ... soon hopefully.

Hi Ralphio, great to have more people joining who enjoy the V12. There are quite few of us on the forum, as you probably saw in the thread. I’m really enjoying it, so far no lift issues.

Which arm do you currently have? Heard that even though the regular arm is great, the Turbo is yet another step-up. If I would want to try another manufacturer’s arm I would try the Thales Simplicity 2, but that is just because I like its mechanical sophistication. I have also heard that the Reed arms do sound great. But so far I like the AMG arm with the vertical springs a lot, adjustment is more precise and it is much more stable and than my previous Vpi unipivot. But if you get to try it please share what you heard.

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Hi Kuoppis I am very happy for you. I did shoot out some turntables,carts with my Allnic H3000 phono stage, potential upgrade analog system 7 month ago so their was 4 turntables and 4 carts. Kronos Pro, The Sparta, AMG Viella V12,Vpi Avenger with Ortofon Winfeld, A90,Benz Micro SLR Gullwing ,Lyra Etna Sl were the line ups. Finale winner was easy Kronos pro with Etna SL but as you know just too much money so I go for second winner AMG Viella with Winfeld and HRS platform I pull the trigger on them. Now I have AMG about 6 month love so much but again Think about dual Tonearm and Lyra Etna SL also dedicate mono cart maybe Zero I am nuts or what? and I dont know how to put picture here please help!
 
Hi Kuoppis, another Viella owner here sorry late for party. About 7 month ago I did shoot out some turntables,carts with my Allnic H3000 phono stage, potential upgrade analog system so their were 4 turntables and 4 carts. Kronos Pro, The Sparta, AMG Viella V12,VPI Avenger with Ortofon Winfeld, A90,Benz Micro SLR Gullwing ,Lyra Etna Sl were the line ups. Best combination was easy Kronos pro with Etna SL but as you know just too Dam Expensive so I go for second winner AMG Viella with Winfeld and HRS platform I pull the trigger on them so now I own them for 6 month now loved sound so much and 2 weeks ago I got Isoacustic Orea footers under Allnic H3000 phono stage and power supply, Allnic TR2000 25th Anniversary Integrated tube amp and HOLO Spring 3 R2R DAC,
Aurender N100H. The whole system doing miracle jog I am in heaven for first time in my life. I want put up some system pictures here but I cant do it so far ?
 
Hi Kuoppis, another Viella owner here sorry late for party. About 7 month ago I did shoot out some turntables,carts with my Allnic H3000 phono stage, potential upgrade analog system so their were 4 turntables and 4 carts. Kronos Pro, The Sparta, AMG Viella V12,VPI Avenger with Ortofon Winfeld, A90,Benz Micro SLR Gullwing ,Lyra Etna Sl were the line ups. Best combination was easy Kronos pro with Etna SL but as you know just too Dam Expensive so I go for second winner AMG Viella with Winfeld and HRS platform I pull the trigger on them so now I own them for 6 month now loved sound so much and 2 weeks ago I got Isoacustic Orea footers under Allnic H3000 phono stage and power supply, Allnic TR2000 25th Anniversary Integrated tube amp and HOLO Spring 3 R2R DAC,
Aurender N100H. The whole system doing miracle jog I am in heaven for first time in my life. I want put up some system pictures here but I cant do it so far ?

Hi tkcha, that is an impressive test set, wow. And great pick, welcome to the club.

I was also thinking about the Winfield as I had the Cadenza Bronze before, but wanted also to try something new. And I always wanted to have a Benz, as I enjoy their sound signature.

Please post some pictures as soon as you can. I think you need to post five messages on the forum to release that function, in case I remember correctly.


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Thank you for warm welcome. As I mention before also like sound Lyra Etna SL so much probably will upgrade dual tonearm and Miyajima Zero for mono cartridge. AMG V12 one statement TT for not so rich audiophile like us who cannt spend over 40k for TT only I prefer over some 30 to 40k turntable. Last few month I bought over 1200 LPs and listen everyday at least 6 hours.
 
Thank you for warm welcome. As I mention before also like sound Lyra Etna SL so much probably will upgrade dual tonearm and Miyajima Zero for mono cartridge. AMG V12 one statement TT for not so rich audiophile like us who cannt spend over 40k for TT only I prefer over some 30 to 40k turntable. Last few month I bought over 1200 LPs and listen everyday at least 6 hours.

You might want to add a picture of that pile of LPs as well [emoji3].

Way to go, you have some listening to do.


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I was always claim myself more music lover collector than audiophile I have very big digital album collection also over 20k albums which include 3000 DSD in DSF and ISO file.4000 Hi-res PCM file and lot of XRCD, DCC, K2HD, SHM CD,MFSL,Japan Blue-spec CD,Audio fidelity CDs. I love Vinyl and Digital equally but of course vinyl sound better.
 
Yes indeed, it is all about the music.


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Also I was very impressed with AMG V12 with Benz Micro Gullwing SLR over Sparta with A90. It was close but still I liked former better. what your impression between AMG cartridge to Benz Micro Gullwing ? If you didnt like Teatro than why?
 
Also I was very impressed with AMG V12 with Benz Micro Gullwing SLR over Sparta with A90. It was close but still I liked former better. what your impression between AMG cartridge to Benz Micro Gullwing ? If you didnt like Teatro than why?

I agree the V12 and Gullwing are a great combination. I’m at least happy with it.

The Teatro is a good fit with the Viella, a little warmish, great for Jazz and vocals. I think I prefer it to the Cadenza I had before.

The Gullwing is however yet another story. It is more transparent, much higher level of detail, better extension into both extremes. It’s truly a high end cart.


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