There's a recurring theme in the hi-fi world these days with established brands re-entering the turntable market. Goldring, renowned for its audiophile cartridges, has just launched its first turntable in two decades—the GR3. This is significant news for vinyl enthusiasts. Aimed at the high-end market, the GR3 combines classic analog warmth with modern conveniences, appealing to both seasoned audiophiles and newcomers alike.
The GR3 comes pre-fitted with a Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge. For those unfamiliar, the E3 has secured six consecutive What Hi-Fi? Best Buy awards. It arrives pre-installed and perfectly aligned on the tonearm, offering plug-and-play simplicity without compromising sound quality.
One standout feature is the built-in phono stage. Not all amplifiers or powered speakers have the necessary gain and EQ for turntables, so this inclusion simplifies the setup process. It allows for direct connection to any amplifier or powered speakers without needing additional phono amplification. Pair it with something like the Q Acoustics M20 or M40, and it creates a user-friendly yet musically powerful vinyl system.
The platter is made of phenolic resin with an enhanced flywheel effect, ensuring consistent rotational speed. This results in better audio fidelity with minimal wow and flutter. Additionally, Goldring offers a choice of QED interconnects—either a 1.5m phono-to-phono or a 3m phono-to-3.5mm cable. Given QED's reputation for high-quality audio cables, this is a noteworthy inclusion.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. The GR3 is a joint collaboration between Goldring and a "renowned" but unnamed British hi-fi manufacturer. The tonearm bears a striking resemblance to Rega's designs, leading many to speculate that Rega is the collaborator. Considering Rega's history of OEM partnerships, it's a plausible theory.
Some suggest that the GR3 is essentially a Rega Planar 2 with a few tweaks, like the phenolic resin platter and the upgraded cartridge. Priced at £699, it's in the same ballpark as a Planar 2 with some extras thrown in. This raises the question: Is this turntable bringing anything new to the market, or is it just a rebadged product with a higher price tag?
On the other hand, more Rega-based decks in the market provide additional options, especially for those loyal to the Goldring brand. The plug-and-play nature of the GR3 could appeal to newcomers who prefer a straightforward setup without the hassle.
Technical Specifications:
- Tonearm: Hand-assembled and carefully matched tonearm
- Cartridge: Factory-fitted Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge
- Motor: 24-Volt low noise, low vibration motor
- Plinth: Gloss black finish with Goldring gold branding
- Platter: Phenolic resin with flywheel mass on the rim
- Phono Amp RIAA Accuracy: (100 Hz to 20 kHz) ±0.4 dB, typically better than ±0.25 dB
- Dimensions (lid closed): 450 x 120 x 360 mm (W x H x D)
- Weight (unpacked): 5.5 kg
What are the thoughts on this? Is the Goldring GR3 a valuable addition to the turntable market, or just another example of rebadging that's becoming all too common? Let's get the discussion going.
