Turntables & Tonearms
Turntables Gateshead-Choosing a turntable is one of the most personal decisions in hi-fi. The right deck depends on your music, your system, your room and how involved you want to be in setup and maintenance. We stock an exceptionally wide range — from Rega’s brilliantly engineered plug-and-play designs to the infinitely upgradeable Linn LP12 — and Andrew has been setting up and servicing turntables for over 30 years..
Turntables Gateshead
Choosing the right turntable is about more than specification sheets. At Audio Republic in Gateshead, Andrew will talk you through every option — from your first serious deck to a full Linn LP12 rebuild — and demonstrate each one on a properly set-up system. Brands include Rega, Linn, VPI and Audio Origami, with tonearm fitting and cartridge alignment carried out in-house.
Rega Research
Rega Research was founded in Southend-on-Sea in 1973 by Roy Gandy and Tony Relph. Their turntables have always been defined by a commitment to engineering excellence over marketing: lightweight, precisely engineered platters, tonearms and bearings that extract maximum information from the groove without unnecessary complexity.
Audio Republic is a Rega Reference Dealer — the highest level of Rega accreditation — for Newcastle and Gateshead. The nearest other Rega Reference Dealers are in Teesside and Edinburgh. We stock and demonstrate the full Rega turntable range from the Planar 1 to the Planar 10, and can advise on cartridge matching and setup with 30+ years of experience.
“Roy Gandy has spent fifty years proving that the best engineering solution is almost always the simplest one. Rega turntables do exactly what they should — retrieve information from the groove with minimal interference. As Reference Dealers, we know this range better than anyone in the region.” — Andrew Oliver
Linn Products
The Linn Sondek LP12 has been in continuous production since 1972 and remains one of the most continuously developed turntables ever made. What began as a revolutionary suspended subchassis design has been refined over five decades into something genuinely extraordinary — and the upgrade path means an LP12 purchased today can be progressively improved for years to come.
Audio Republic holds Linn’s LP12 Klimax Retailer accreditation — the highest level Linn awards. Andrew has been working with LP12s since 1995, completing over 100 upgrades and services. We have four LP12 specifications on permanent demonstration from Majik to Klimax. For everything LP12, this is the place.
“”I’ve been working with LP12s since 2000. Over
100 upgrades and services later, I’m still
discovering what this remarkable design is
capable of. There is no other turntable with
this upgrade path, this level of development,
or this musical capability at any price.“
— Andrew Oliver”
Vertere Acoustics
Vertere Acoustics was founded by Touraj Moghaddam — the designer behind some of Roksan’s most celebrated turntables. His approach to vinyl replay combines decades of experience with a willingness to challenge received wisdom about what makes a great turntable.
We stock Vertere at Audio Republic, with both
the DGX and MGI MkII turntables on permanent
demonstration. Vertere’s Red Line cables and
phono stages are also available..
“”Touraj Moghaddam spent decades at Roksan before
starting Vertere. That experience is evident in
every aspect of these products. This range of
cables, record players and phono stages bear
comparison with the very best that are out there.”
— Andrew Oliver” — Andrew Oliver
Nottingham Analogue
Nottingham Analogue Studio has been building turntables in the English Midlands since the 1990s. Their designs are characterised by exceptionally low noise floors, superb bearing engineering and an unhurried, musical presentation that rewards careful listening.
We stock Nottingham Analogue at Audio Republic for customers who want something genuinely different from the mainstream — a turntable built with extraordinary care and designed to last a lifetime.
“”Built in the English Midlands with extraordinary
care and absolutely no interest in trends or
marketing. These turntables are for people who
are serious about vinyl. The noise floor is
among the lowest I’ve heard on any turntable
at any price. Gothic aesthetics hide turntables
of uncommon value and ability. Suitable for use
with tonearms from NA, Rega, SME and Audio
Origami.” — Andrew Oliver.”
VPI
VPI Industries has been building turntables in New Jersey since 1978. Founded by Harry and Sheila Weisfeld, VPI has developed a range of heavy-duty, exceptionally engineered turntables that have earned a devoted following among serious vinyl enthusiasts worldwide.
We stock VPI at Audio Republic for customers who want American engineering precision and a turntable that can be configured and upgraded to a very high specification.
“”American engineering precision applied to vinyl
replay. Harry Weisfeld has been building
turntables in New Jersey since 1978 and the
accumulated expertise shows. Exceptionally well
built and capable of a very high level of
performance. The vinyl equivalent of an American
muscle car — deep, rich and explosively dynamic.
These turntables are a very satisfying way of
playing records. I have used a Classic 3 for
over 10 years and still find it an engaging and
rewarding listen.” — Andrew Oliver.”
Audio Origami
Audio Origami is a British manufacturer of handbuilt tonearms that offer a genuinely compelling alternative to those normally fitted to an LP12. Built in small quantities with exceptional care, Audio Origami tonearms have quickly established themselves as firm favourites among serious vinyl enthusiasts.
“In our view an Audio Origami tonearm can substantially improve the performance of any LP12. We demonstrate these at our regular analogue events and by private appointment.
Handbuilt in the UK in small numbers. I don’t
stock things I don’t believe in — and I believe
in these tonearms completely. Fitted to an LP12
these products offer an enticing and persuasive
alternative to those normally present on a Linn
turntable. To hear is to believe. Exclusive
North East Retailer.” — Andrew Oliver
Tangerine Audio
Tangerine Audio makes precision upgrade components for the Linn LP12 that we consider not just worthwhile but essential. Their Karmen top plate, KU-B subchassis and Revolver platter address fundamental variables in LP12 performance — and the results are immediately and clearly audible.
If you own an LP12, a conversation about Tangerine Audio upgrades is well worth having. Call Andrew to discuss which upgrades would benefit your particular deck.
“Not optional, in my view. If you own an LP12
and you haven’t heard what a Karmen top plate
does, you don’t yet know what your turntable
is capable of. A weapons-grade solution to
one of the LP12’s most fundamental variables.
Tangerine Audio accessories will not alter but
only enhance the sound of your LP12. New
additions include the Revolver Platter and
Evenstar Stabiliser. Accept no compromises
— on permanent demonstration.” — Andrew Oliver
Want to Hear Any of These Brands?
We demonstrate all the brands we stock — in our Gateshead showroom or in your own home. Call Andrew to discuss what you’re looking for and arrange a listening session.