We have a new turntable to play with here in Cardiff and it is a stunner! So with the continuing popularity of vinyl and record players at the moment we thought we would take a more in depth look at the Marantz TT15S1.

The first point of discussion on the TT15S1 has got to be how it looks. This is one seriously good looking turntable. The fact that it looks so modern is testament to the continuing popularity of the format; it’s not just about nostalgia. The plinth is made from one piece of frosted acrylic for a very original finish. This sits on top of three well constructed chunky aluminium feet to dampen those pesky vibrations and the plinth has cut outs for the arm and motor.

The turntable does require a little setting up out of the box but nothing too complicated. The beautifully made tonearm is lowered into place and then fastened with a single screw. Speaking of the tonearm, this turntable is packaged with the Clearaudio Virtuoso wood moving magnet cartridge, which tracks excellently and is perfectly matched to the turntable. Before the setup is completed with a hefty platter which sits on a suspended spindle.

Now we move to the final steps. The motor pulley needs to be fitted to the spindle and secured using the three screws and tiny screw driver provided. At this point it is essential the pulley is fixed at the correct height so that the drive belt can sit correctly around the platter. Now the separated motor needs to be placed where the turntable will sit and the plinth with the now fitted tonearm and platter can be slowly lowered over the motor housing.

The cartridge will need to be fitted to the tonearm and aligned. Again making your life easier, the instructions are easy to follow and tools for this also supplied. Lastly the felt mat and simple record clamp are added. The setup is completed with balancing the tonearm and adjusting to add the correct tracking force for the Clearaudio Virtuoso wood cartridge. Do not be put off by the assembling of this record player as it is easier than it sounds and all tools required are supplied.

We can now get playing our favourite records! The first that came to mind was Michael Jacksons Thriller album and the first track on side 1, 'Wannabe Startin’ Somethin’. After a quick read of a review of this turntable I thought this song would really bring out the best bits of why this is an excellent piece of kit. It is undoubtedly accurate, fast with buckets of detail and clarity and presented the Quincy Jones production superbly. Continuing our initial listen, we now moved to the album SBTRKT by SBTRKT and the Marantz TT15S1 again delivers a fast paced and dynamic presentation particularly with the song SBTRKT – Hold On (featuring Sampha). Of particular note was how clean everything sounds, this is testament to the isolation that has been attained here and makes for a very quiet turntable.

This turntable is everything you could expect at the price and more. It is now on demonstration in at Audio T Cardiff so do feel free to pop in or call to arrange demo.

Marantz Hi-Fi Products are available in the following stores: Brentwood, Brighton, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Enfield, Manchester, Oxford, Portsmouth, Preston, Southampton, Swansea, Swindon .

The Marantz Premium System comprising the PM8006 amp, ND8006 CD/Streamer, and TT15SI Turntable has been setting our dem room alight.

Starting with the PM8006 amp, although it has the same visual styling as Marantz' less expensive offerings it shows a major step up in build quality with battleship construction and outrageous speaker terminals!

The PM8006 has all the Marantz trademark tech and features designed to get the best sound quality possible from the design, including HDAM amp modules, a very high quality volume control, and a newly designed phono stage.

The second unit in the system is the ND8006 CD player and Streamer.

The ND8006 is a complete digital music hub offering a CD player, access to a multitude of streaming services, multiple DAC inputs, Apple Airplay and Bluetooth! Add to that a high quality headphone amp with its own volume control and you have a complete system hub.

The ND8006 also has a high res DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) and so can cope with all file formats.

Last but not least is the superb TT15SI turntable

This beauty has a large acrylic chassis with special isolating feet, a separate motor, and a very high quality tonearm and mm (moving magnet)cartridge fitted. It is gorgeous to look at and listen to!

This is a serious system from Marantz. We've been listening with the very capable KEF R500 speakers and whether it's the electronica of Goldfrapp's Silver Eye, the complex production and rhythms of Steven Wilson's To the Bone, or the delicacy of Jane Siberry's voice on The Walking, the system remains unphased and in control at all times. Each component is very very good in its own right (and they are all available individually) but put the PM8006, ND8006 and TT15 together and you have a stonkingly good music system.