Avid Ingenium Turntable Review: Minimalism Meets High-Performance Audio

AVID Ingenium Introduction

The AVID Ingenium turntable masterfully merges high-end performance with a sleek, minimalist design, making it appealing to both new and seasoned audiophiles. Its promise of premium features in an accessible package immediately caught my attention. My first encounter with the Ingenium at the Audio Advice Live Show in North Carolina during the summer of 2024 left a lasting impression. Its modern aesthetics, compact design, and robust engineering intrigued me enough to plan an in-depth review.

Over the following weeks, I put the Ingenium through its paces in various settings, from live demonstrations at the show to meticulous testing in my home studio. I evaluated its stock configuration on three separate systems and then elevated the assessment by swapping the factory-installed cartridge with three different models, each tailored to different performance preferences. Whether in its out-of-the-box setup or with fine-tuned adjustments, the Ingenium consistently delivered surprising and satisfying results.

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the Ingenium Plug-and-Play model, exploring its strengths, limitations, and unique qualities that set it apart in the competitive world of high-fidelity audio.

AVID Ingenium Turntable Initial Impressions: A Modern Aesthetic

During the Audio Advice Live event, the Ingenium stood out with its modern design and small footprint. Its minimalistic yet sophisticated appearance caught the eye, making it an appealing choice for those who prioritize aesthetics in their audio equipment. The factory-installed MM cartridge, record clamp, and premium build materials promised a solid performance. However, what truly piqued my interest was its ingenious platter design and isolation properties, noticeable even during a quick on-site test.

The Ingenium features a cork-and-rubber platter mat adhered to its aluminum platter. This design effectively absorbs vibrations and isolates the record from any resonance traveling through the plinth. Coupled with its detached motor—placed discreetly behind the turntable and beneath the platter—this thoughtful engineering makes the Ingenium a standout performer in its price range.

These specifications highlight the Ingenium’s focus on high-quality materials and thoughtful design, ensuring excellent performance and durability.

AVID Ingenium Turntable Assembly and Setup

Setting up the Ingenium took about 30 minutes, thanks to its detailed instructions. The process involved installing the tungsten carbide ball bearing and inserting the hub assembly, which contains a sapphire-bearing surface. It is crucial to take great care during this step, especially when installing the upgraded solid aluminum platter. The sapphire thrust pad is delicate and susceptible to damage if undue force is applied or if the platter is not seated properly. Ensuring smooth, precise handling will preserve the longevity and optimal performance of the bearing system. The platter, with its precise alignment knobs, fit securely onto the hub. The belt drive motor placement at the rear was a unique choice, offering a clean, compact look but making speed adjustments less convenient.

Adjustability: One notable drawback was the lack of adjustable isolation feet. While the composite feet, made from a foam and Sorbothane blend, provide excellent vibration isolation, the inability to level the turntable via adjustable feet might pose challenges on uneven surfaces. This feature is often expected at this price point and could improve the overall user experience.

Speed Adjustment: Changing speeds from 33.3 RPM to 45 RPM required manual belt adjustment. While manageable, it might inconvenience users with a large collection of 45 RPM records. An RPM app is recommended to ensure accurate speed calibration.

AVID Ingenium Turntable Performance Evaluation and Testing Equipment

Audio equipment used for testing by set up

1st Reference Setup

• Parasound Halo Hint 6 intergraded amp with onboard phono stage
• Graham Lee Era Gold phono stage
• Kef R300 bookshelf speakers

2nd Reference Setup

• Marantz AV7705 preamp with onboard phono stage
• Classé power amp CA-D200
• Project Box DS2 USB
• Focal Aria 926 Tower Speakers

3rd Reference Setup

• McIntosh MAC7200 intergraded (as a preamp) with onboard phono stage (used as preamp and as intergraded with amplification at 200W/ channel)
• Primaluna prologue Premium power amplifier
• Manley Chinook phono stage

AVID Ingenium Turntable Isolation and Resonance Control

Isolation is one of the Ingenium’s standout features. The combination of its composite feet (foam and Sorbothane blend), a separate motor, a cork-and-rubber platter mat, and the innovative double-bearing design minimizes external vibrations and resonance. Even during a rigorous test with an SVS 3000 subwoofer placed nearby at less than two feet, the Ingenium maintained impeccable performance without audible rumble or distortion.  Footsteps are completely ignored around the turntable. Even bumping or hitting the record clamp to hear any transference of unwanted noise.  It is completely dead in all scenarios. I even venture to say it’s the best isolation and decupling I have experienced and it's quite surprising at the price level.  This was one of the main focus targets on design and they have overwhelmingly succeeded.  (Congrats!!!)

AVID Ingenium Turntable Dynamics and Soundstage

The AVID Ingenium achieves a level of performance that far exceeds expectations, particularly given its price range. This is most evident in its ability to elevate the performance of the stock (conical stylus MM) cartridge. The factory-installed cartridge, a standard conical stylus typically considered entry-level, performs at a level far beyond what its price and design would suggest. Thanks to the Ingenium’s superior isolation and innovative engineering, the cartridge delivers a sound quality that rivals much more expensive high-output moving coil (MC) models.

During my testing, I was amazed at the micro-dynamics, decay, and soundstage this setup could produce. The Ingenium revealed subtle details and textures that would be entirely lost on many other turntables using the same cartridge—even models at twice the price. For comparison, I tested the same cartridge on my VPI Prime Scout, a high-end turntable with extensive upgrades. While the VPI offers exceptional performance in its own right, the Ingenium was able to coax out similar levels of resolution and dynamics, showcasing its ability to extract the absolute best from even modest components.

The Ingenium transforms what might be dismissed as a “budget” cartridge into a standout performer, making it sound like a cartridge costing five to seven times as much. This turntable excels at unlocking the potential of any cartridge, whether it’s a $100 entry-level model or a high-end upgrade. I found immense joy experimenting with my cartridge collection, each revealing new nuances in playback when paired with the Ingenium. This remarkable synergy between the Ingenium’s design and cartridge performance underscores the thoughtful engineering and audiophile focus of this turntable. It is a true pleasure to work with—a high-performance platform that proves great sound comes from the right design, not necessarily the most expensive components.

AVID Ingenium Turntable Sound Quality

The Ingenium excels in sound reproduction, offering clear, dynamic playback with minimal distortion. Bass is punchy and well-defined, midrange tones are smooth and articulate, and highs are crisp without harshness. These qualities were evident across various music genres:

• Rock: Albums like Core by Stone Temple Pilots showcased deep, textured bass and clear vocals.

• Electronic: Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories highlighted the Ingenium’s ability to handle complex, bass-heavy tracks with precision.

• Jazz: Diana Krall’s Turn Up The Quiet demonstrated smooth, detailed reproduction and a wide soundstage.

Insights from Mr. Conrad Mas

To further enhance this review, I contacted Mr. Conrad Mas, Managing Director of AVID HiFi Ltd., to ask several technical and design-related questions about the Ingenium. His insights shed light on the meticulous engineering behind the turntable, the rationale for certain design choices, and how users can get the most out of this system.

 Q: How did bringing precision engineering into AVID ensure better quality and control over your products and how did your decision to hire talent for product development in-house rather than outsourcing design and engineering contribute to advancements in your product line, and which product launch you are most proud of since the company from start-up to a well-established brand like it is today?

A: A few years after its founding, AVID installed precision engineering capabilities, a cornerstone of our identity alongside meticulous attention to detail and dedication to sound quality.  Integrating engineering led to significant advancements in our turntables, enhancing consistency and performance.  This focus on engineering drives our ongoing innovation, setting a new standard in high-fidelity playback through the fusion of craftsmanship and precision.

A key factor in AVID’s expansion was hiring in-house talent rather than outsourcing.  This allows us to closely oversee product development, ensuring consistent high standards.  By fostering a culture of innovation within our team, we push boundaries to create exceptional products that embody our values and deliver the sound quality our customers expect from every product that carries the AVID name.

One of the most pivotal moments for our company was the launch of the Ingenium Plug & Play turntable.  It quickly garnered international acclaim for its exceptional performance, often surpassing the sound quality of products twice its price.  This achievement reflects not just a product, but a philosophy, taking advanced technology from our Acutus model and distilling it into a more accessible format.  Even with a modest tonearm and cartridge, the Ingenium Plug & Play showcases remarkable musicality, demonstrating that high-end performance can be achieved without high-end costs.

Q: Does AVID set a budget first when developing new products, or does market demand or dictate the budget?

A: At AVID, we take a unique approach when developing new products.  Instead of setting a budget first or letting the market demand dictate it, we focus on developing the absolute best product we can within a specific category, without any compromise on quality, regardless of cost.  The retail price is directly related to the manufacturing cost of delivering that premium performance.

Once we’ve established this high standard, subsequent products in that category follow a technology cascade, where we aim to retain as much of the original sound quality as possible, but typically at half the retail cost.  This allows us to offer exceptional performance across different price points while maintaining the core integrity of our designs.

Q: Regarding the AVID Ingenium Plug & Play, was isolation the primary focus to achieve its exceptional performance at this price point? It’s the best I’ve experienced so far at this price point.

A: Absolutely, isolation is crucial for achieving exceptional performance, but we believe that everything plays a vital role in delivering the best sound experience.  With the AVID Ingenium, we’ve integrated technology from our high-end models, including a unique bearing and record grounding clamp, and an immensely rigid chassis.  This holistic approach ensures that each component works harmoniously, contributing to the overall performance

Q: Beyond upgrading the MDF platter to the solid and heavier aluminum platter and the mentioned VTA tonearm shims upgrade, are there any plans to add any additional upgrades in the future?

A: We actually already offer our DSP regulated power supply and upgrade to twin belt drive.  This upgrade doubles the cost of the Ingenium, the musical performance improvement goes far beyond the customer’s expectations.  Upgrades for the Ingenium can be found on our website here: https://www.avidhifi.com/upgrades#ingenuim-upgrades

Q: You mentioned “vibrations” in the interview with AudogradeUk on YouTube recently, could you elaborate your thoughts, on your thought regarding “wanted” and “unwanted” vibrations in vinyl playback?

A: “Wanted” vibrations are those created by the groove on the record itself.  These are the musical signals that we strive to preserve as accurately as possible.  A well-designed turntable’s job is to extract these vibrations from the groove with minimal interference, so the playback faithfully reproduces what was originally recorded.

“Unwanted” vibrations, on the other hand, are those that come from external sources, such as motor noise, footfall, air-borne sound waves, or structural resonances.  One often overlooked aspect is the vibrations occurring within the record itself.  These vibrations, mostly caused by the playback process, can lead to a smearing of the sound.

At AVID, we focus extensively on ensuring that the only vibrations making it through the system are the ones embedded in the record groove, so listeners can experience the purest playback possible.  At AVID, we address this uniquely with our grounding bearing and clamp system, often a path of least resistance for the unwanted vibration to pass to the main chassis.

This is part of our broader design philosophy of elimination every possible source of unwanted vibration, whether external or internal, so that the music comes through with total realism.

This direct communication with Mr. Mas underscores AVID HiFi’s commitment to innovation and customer engagement, adding another layer of appreciation for Ingenium’s thoughtful design.

Upgrades to the AVID Ingenium Turntable: Unlocking New Potential

One of the Ingenium’s standout features is its potential for upgrades, allowing users to unlock even higher levels of performance. Two notable enhancements can transform this turntable into a true high-end contender:

1. Solid Aluminum Platter: Upgrading to AVID’s solid aluminum platter significantly enhances the Ingenium’s performance. This platter, weighing more than the stock model, improves rotational stability and reduces unwanted vibrations. It also provides a more inert surface, ensuring the stylus extracts even finer details from your records. During my testing, the upgraded platter resulted in tighter bass, increased clarity in the midrange, and an expanded soundstage, particularly noticeable on orchestral recordings.

2. Tonearm Upgrade for VTA Adjustability: AVID offers shims for the Ingenium’s tonearm that allow for Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA) adjustments. This upgrade is invaluable for audiophiles seeking to fine-tune their setup for different cartridges or record thicknesses. 

With the VTA shims installed, I noticed improvements in tonal balance and tracking accuracy. High-frequency details were more refined, and the overall presentation felt more dynamic and cohesive. This simple yet effective upgrade adds a layer of versatility to the Ingenium, making it more compatible with a wider range of cartridges and audiophile setups.

AVID Ingenium Turntable Final Thoughts

The AVID Ingenium is a remarkable turntable that combines aesthetic appeal, solid engineering, and high-performance audio. While it has some very minor limitations, such as the lack of adjustable isolation feet and limited tonearm adjustability in its stock form, its strengths far outweigh any minor drawbacks. (AVID offers some available upgrades to the Ingenium deck that are easy to incorporate into the design) Exceptional isolation, clear and dynamic sound reproduction, and a compact design make it a standout option for audiophiles seeking high-end performance without a high-end price tag. This will be one of my number one suggestions for any audiophile or music lover looking to get into the High-end realm of turntables moving forward.

For those who value sound quality and design, the Ingenium delivers a compelling package. With the addition of upgrades like the solid aluminum platter and tonearm shims for VTA adjustability, this turntable becomes an even more versatile and capable performer. It offers a glimpse into high-end audio at an accessible price, proving that minimalism and performance can coexist beautifully.