ELAC MRC501-GB
Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
53/100
Build Quality
72/100
Features Usability
79/100
Value for Money
85/100
Designed for fuss-free vinyl playback, the ELAC MRC501-GB combines a substantial aluminium die-cast platter with belt-drive simplicity and servo-managed 33⅓/45rpm selection. Its 0.10% wow-and-flutter specification and 67dB A-weighted signal-to-noise rating suggest composed, practical performance, while the $699 price positions it as a well-equipped route into serious record spinning.
Pros
Servo-controlled electronic 33⅓/45rpm selection avoids the manual belt repositioning required by the related Miracord 70.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 53/100
The supplied reviews are for the Miracord 70 and Miracord 90, not the MRC501-GB, so they cannot establish this model's musical character. The available specifications confirm belt drive and servo-regulated operation, but provide little direct listening evidence.
Overall Sound
50/100
No review excerpt evaluates the MRC501-GB's tonal balance, detail, dynamics, imaging or rhythmic presentation. The enthusiastic listening comments supplied apply to other ELAC Miracord models.
Speed Stability
62/100
The MRC501-GB specifies a speed-rotation servo system, selectable 33⅓/45rpm operation and quoted wow and flutter of 0.10%. There is no model-specific listening or measurement report confirming pitch consistency in use.
Tonearm Performance
50/100
The provided product specifications do not identify the fitted tonearm, its bearings, adjustability or cartridge compatibility. Comments on the carbon-fibre Miracord 90 arm and the Miracord 70 arms concern different turntables.
Noise Isolation
50/100
The specifications quote a 67dB A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio, but give no details on chassis isolation, feet, bearing noise or resistance to external vibration. No review excerpt assesses the MRC501-GB's background quietness or feedback resistance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
72/100
The specified aluminium die-cast, 300mm platter is a reassuringly substantial component for this class, and the deck uses a DC belt-drive motor with servo regulation. However, the supplied information does not describe the plinth, bearing, feet, damping treatment or fit and finish in enough detail to judge the whole platform.
Features Usability
79/100
Electronic selection of 33⅓ and 45rpm and the servo-controlled drive make routine operation straightforward. The available information does not mention a phono stage, cartridge, automatic functions, USB connectivity or setup aids.
Value for Money
85/100
At $699, the MRC501-GB offers a belt-drive layout, servo speed regulation and an aluminium die-cast platter. None of the supplied reviews discusses this model's value against competing turntables at its asking price; the positive value comments concern the more expensive Miracord 70 and Miracord 90.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- Drive System
- Belt drive
- Motor
- DC motor
- Selectable Speeds
- 33⅓ and 45 pm
- Motor Servo
- Speed rotation and servo system
- Rotation Speed Varia
- +/-1%
- Wow and Flutter
- 0.10%
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 67 dB or higher (A-weighted)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 60 dB or higher (unweighted)
- Platter
- Aluminum die-cast
- Platter Diameter
- 12.0 in / 300 mm
Manufacturer's Description — ELAC
Miracord 50 Turntable
The Miracord 50 Turntable is a testament to ELAC's unwavering commitment to precision engineering and a passion for music that transcends time. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with the timeless appeal of vinyl, providing audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike with an immersive journey into the heart of their favorite tunes.
Anti-Resonance Chassis
Superior isolation is achieved with a chassis designed to minimize the sonic effects of vibration and feedback. A low-noise DC servo motor drives a die-cast, high-inertia aluminum platter with special record mat via a rubber belt, resulting in stable speed and minimal wow and flutter.
Damped Platter
The underside of the platter is covered with strategically-placed elastomer damping material. Not only does this material drastically reduce the platter resonance (the RING when the platter is tapped) but due to the increased mass it also increases rotational inertia, improving speed accuracy. An undamped platter will ring like a bell, and that resonant energy is transferred through the vinyl back to the phono cartridge resulting in distortion.
Servo Speed Control
A sensor and motor control circuit measures the actual platter speed at the bearing and corrects it instantaneously in a closed-loop feedback system. This technique improves the Model 50’s wow and flutter specification by over 50% and speed accuracy by 66% over the simple belt drive and DC motor.
Precision Tonearm and Cartridge
The tonearm is a static-balance, straight-tube design with precision bearings, built-in anti-skate adjustment and removable bayonet-style headshell. A premounted moving-magnet cartridge takes all the guesswork out of setup and assures proper vertical tracking angle, tracking weight and azimuth adjustment right out of the box.
Built-in Phono Equalizer Amplifier
Unlike most turntables, the Miracord 50 comes complete with a built-in defeatable phono preamp for correct RIAA equalization. That means you can add LP playback without having to add a costly phono stage to line-level preamps or digital-only systems. Just plug it in, put on a record and enjoy rich LP sound!
High-Tolerance Main Bearing Assembly
The motor servo sensor for the speed feedback is integrated into an improved main bearing assembly. The platter rests on this bearing, so it takes not only the vertical load of the platter mass plus the record, it also has to resist the torque applied to it via the drive belt and motor pulling laterally against it. This better bearing has lower friction and lower rumble.
Miracord
History
Built-in Phono
Equalizer Amplifier
Precision Tonearm and Cartridge
Audio-Technica AT91 moving magnet
Anti-resonant
Chassis
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Authorized dealers for ELAC MRC501-GB
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- ABSOLUTE ADOBE — in-store — Port Erin, Port Erin, United Kingdom (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
and 135 more verified dealers