It’s not every day that a serious
sounding new Phono stage is launched, but Timestep’s new T-01 MC is just this
reckons us
An unashamedly hobbyist company, Timestep
is run by the affable Dave Cawley, who designed his first phono stage in 1981,
and more recently has been involved in the manufacture and distribution of the
ANT Audio Kora phono stage. This prompted him to produce the T-01 MC, and it’s
fair to say the two aren’t philosophically that different.
It’s an unashamedly minimalist,
discrete-transistor affair using just a sprinkling of FETs (field effect
transistors) in a fully discrete dual-mono zero negative feedback design. Great
attention to detail has been shown in the design and its execution, and the
T-01 MC features high-quality gold-plated, PTFE insulated input sockets, Dale
input loading resistor and WIMA polypropylene RIAA capacitors. There’s a ground
lift switch that allows the audio circuitry to be connected or disconnected
from the mains earth while still ensuring the chassis is completely earthed.
Timestep T - 01 MC Phono Stage
Unlike some rivals, the T-01 MC has fixed
gain and input loading settings, but bespoke input loading can be specified and
altered by Timestep anytime subsequently. Although some might think this a
pain, it does make for short signal paths any switching will ultimately degrade
sound, and more so over time. Specified input sensitivity is 0.35mV (for 0dBV
output); making it fine for most modern moving coils such as the Lyra Delos I
used. Though it’s not particularly stylish, overall build quality is very good.
Sound quality
In a nutshell, the T-01 MC has a simple,
direct, honest sound that doesn’t gild the lily like some tube designs (the
Icon Audio PS2 springs to mind), nor does it make things sound more mechanical
and regimented than they should – such as the Trichord Dino NC. Rather, the
Timestep treads a careful balance between neutrality and euphony, never quite
getting to the latter, but somehow always giving just a little bit more than
the former.
In
a nutshell, the T-01 MC has a simple, direct, honest sound that doesn’t gild
the lily like some tube designs
For example, The Cure’s A Forest comes over
with disarming clarity, almost as though we are plugged directly into the
output of the mixing desk. Bass has real power and grip, yet is possessed of an
urgency that propels the song along with gusto. Further up the scale, the mid-band
is wide and tightly defined, with an excellent front to back soundstage. It’s
not quite as wide as the PS2, but it is certainly more precise in the location
of instruments in the mix. Up top, treble is crisp and clear, with a good deal
of atmosphere. The clever thing is the way the Timestep weaves all this
together on-the-fly, providing a wonderfully rhythmic and ‘direct’ feel to the
music.
The same goes for Scritti Polliti’s Boom!
There She Was – an altogether busier and more fastidious recording. The T-01 MC
proves itself to be a wonderfully fast and fluid performer following the
powerful synthesizer bass runs with alacrity, and ramming home the track’s
dynamics to full effect. It proves very neutral in tonal terms, capturing the
excellence of this analogue recording to best effect, letting those digital
synth parts chime like bells. However, there is a slight lack of sweetness in
the upper mid and treble; it’s only very subtle but compared with the Icon
Audio, for example, you can hear the hi-hats sound just a little too crisp, and
there’s a fraction less space around the elements in the mix. This is more
proof that – at this price – you can’t have it all!
The shuffling soul of Donald Byrd’s Street Lady
shows the Timestep to best effect – it’s a very warm seventies analogue
recording and the T-01 MC digs very deep inside, pulling out masses of detail
and presenting it in an unrelentingly rhythmic and dynamic way. This phono
stage has a good deal of smoothness and grace, yet it’s as punk rock as they
come when tasked to get the joint jumping. Once again, its super-taut, tuneful bass
drives the song along, laying the foundations for the wide and deep soundstage
to work its magic. Dynamically excellent, this is one of the most expressive
phono stages you’ll see before you start spending silly money.
Conclusion
An excellent product, this is one of the
very best designs at or near its price and will make most people wonder if they
could possibly want more. Its powerful, gripping yet melodious and musical
sound is a joy across a vast range of programmer material, and the unit soon ‘dissolves’
into your system, letting you concentrate on (and enjoy) the records you’re
playing. Its closest competition is ANT Audio’s Kora 3T Ltd, with which it
shares many sonic traits; ultimately the latter is just a touch sweeter and
silkier, if a little less punchy. As such, the new Timestep T-01 MC is a very
strong contender indeed, and deserves to be at the top of your audition list.
Its
powerful, gripping yet melodious and musical sound is a joy across a vast range
of programmer material, and the unit soon ‘dissolves’ into your system, letting
you concentrate on (and enjoy) the records you’re playing
Our verdict
·
Sound quality: 5/5
·
Value for money: 5/5
·
Build quality: 4.5/5
·
Features: 3.5/5
·
Like: Wide, deep soundstage; taut, deep bass;
fine build and finish
·
Dislike: Lacks the romance and space of some
rival tube designs
·
We say: Wonderfully powerful, grippy, detailed,
musical sound; impressive build quality and finish
·
Overall: 5/5
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Timestep
T-01 MC specs
·
Origin: UK
·
Type: Moving coil phono stage
·
Weight: 2.2kg
·
Dimensions: (W x H x D) 445 x 48 x 310mm
·
Features: Moving coil input; Switchable ground
lift; Quoted input sensitivity: 0.35mV (for 0dBV output); Quoted input
impedance: 100ohm, 1nF (customer specifiable)
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