Front end
161 components, ranked on engine node quality — mean across evidenced axes; spec-and-review derived. Node quality is spec-and-review derived; treat small differences between neighbouring components as directional rather than exact.
| No. | Brand | Component | Role | Node quality | Chains (of 120) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linn | Klimax LP12 bundle | Turntable | 85.4 | — |
| 2 | Etsuro Urushi | Gold MC | Cartridge | 84.8 | — |
| 3 | AVID | Acutus Reference SP (no arm) | Turntable | 84.0 | 3 |
| 4 | SME | Synergy MK2 (full integrated) | Turntable | 83.1 | — |
| 5 | SME | Model 15 MK2 + 309 (legacy) | Turntable | 80.7 | — |
| 6 | SME | Model 12 MK2 + 309 | Turntable | 80.6 | — |
| 7 | London Decca | Reference Type II | Cartridge | 78.9 | 6 |
| 8 | Etsuro Urushi | Bordeaux MC | Cartridge | 78.8 | 3 |
| 9 | Koetsu | Azule Platinum MC | Cartridge | 78.7 | 8 |
| 10 | Koetsu | Onyx Platinum MC | Cartridge | 78.4 | — |
| 11 | Koetsu | Rhodonite Platinum MC | Cartridge | 77.8 | — |
| 12 | Koetsu | Tigereye Platinum MC | Cartridge | 77.8 | — |
| 13 | van den Hul | The Colibri | Cartridge | 77.7 | 7 |
| 14 | Koetsu | Blue Lace Platinum MC | Cartridge | 77.2 | — |
| 15 | SME | Model 8 + M2-9 | Turntable | 76.9 | — |
| 16 | AVID | Sequel SP (no arm) | Turntable | 76.6 | 8 |
| 17 | Michell | Orbe (full) | Turntable | 76.6 | — |
| 18 | Supatrac | Blackbird Farpoint 9" | Tonearm | 76.5 | 20 |
| 19 | Supatrac | Nighthawk 9" | Tonearm | 76.3 | — |
| 20 | Linn | Selekt LP12 bundle | Turntable | 76.1 | — |
| 21 | Vertere | MG-1 MkII (no arm) | Turntable | 76.0 | 4 |
| 22 | Koetsu | Rosewood Signature Platinum MC | Cartridge | 75.7 | — |
| 23 | Michell | Gyro 2025 | Turntable | 75.4 | 6 |
| 24 | Michell | Orbe SE | Turntable | 75.1 | — |
| 25 | Linn | Arko | Tonearm | 75.0 | 16 |
| 26 | SME | Series IV | Tonearm | 75.0 | — |
| 27 | Linn | Ekstatik MC | Cartridge | 74.9 | — |
| 28 | Origin Live | Sovereign Mk5 (no arm) | Turntable | 74.9 | — |
| 29 | Rega | Naia + RB Titanium + Naia PSU | Turntable | 74.9 | — |
| 30 | Audio Origami | PU8 Reference 9" | Tonearm | 74.8 | 3 |
| 31 | Etsuro Urushi | Cobalt Blue MC | Cartridge | 74.4 | 10 |
| 32 | AVID | Volvere SP (no arm) | Turntable | 74.3 | 8 |
| 33 | Koetsu | Rosewood Signature MC | Cartridge | 74.0 | 4 |
| 34 | Miyajima | Madake MC | Cartridge | 73.9 | 2 |
| 35 | Koetsu | Urushi Vermilion MC | Cartridge | 73.5 | — |
| 36 | Rega | RB880 | Tonearm | 73.5 | 8 |
| 37 | SME | Series V | Tonearm | 73.5 | — |
| 38 | Miyajima | Destiny MC | Cartridge | 73.4 | — |
| 39 | Ortofon | MC Windfeld Ti | Cartridge | 73.4 | 8 |
| 40 | Rega | Planar 10 + RB3000 + P10 PSU | Turntable | 73.1 | — |
| 41 | Audio Origami | PU7 Titanium 9" | Tonearm | 73.0 | — |
| 42 | Linn | Majik LP12 (Koil MC) | Turntable | 73.0 | — |
| 43 | Rega | RB330 | Tonearm | 73.0 | 2 |
| 44 | Audio Origami | PU7 GTS Titanium 9" | Tonearm | 72.8 | 9 |
| 45 | Linn | Majik LP12 (Adikt MM) | Turntable | 72.7 | — |
| 46 | London Decca | Jubilee Type II | Cartridge | 72.7 | — |
| 47 | Michell | Revolv (NEW Oct 2025) | Turntable | 72.7 | 14 |
| 48 | Miyajima | Kansui MC | Cartridge | 72.7 | — |
| 49 | van den Hul | The Crimson | Cartridge | 72.7 | 2 |
| 50 | Koetsu | Urushi Black MC | Cartridge | 72.6 | — |
| 51 | Koetsu | Urushi Sky Blue MC | Cartridge | 72.6 | — |
| 52 | Koetsu | Urushi Tsugaru MC | Cartridge | 72.6 | — |
| 53 | Koetsu | Urushi Wajima MC | Cartridge | 72.6 | — |
| 54 | Origin Live | Encounter Mk5 | Tonearm | 72.5 | 1 |
| 55 | Nottingham Analogue | Dais | Turntable | 72.4 | — |
| 56 | Vertere | DG-1S Sabre Pkg (DISCONTINUED) | Turntable | 72.1 | — |
| 57 | Vertere | DG-X Sabre Lite Pack | Turntable | 72.0 | — |
| 58 | SME | M2-12 | Tonearm | 71.8 | — |
| 59 | Technics | S-shape magnesium tonearm (SL-1200G) | Tonearm | 71.8 | 1 |
| 60 | Audio Note | IO I | Cartridge | 71.6 | — |
| 61 | Hana | Umami Red MC | Cartridge | 71.6 | — |
| 62 | Michell | TecnoArm 2 | Tonearm | 71.3 | 3 |
| 63 | Origin Live | Alliance Mk5 | Tonearm | 71.3 | 1 |
| 64 | Origin Live | Onyx Mk5 | Tonearm | 71.3 | — |
| 65 | SME | M2-9 | Tonearm | 71.3 | 4 |
| 66 | Rega | Planar 8 + RB880 + Neo MK2 PSU | Turntable | 71.1 | — |
| 67 | AVID | Diva II SP (no arm) | Turntable | 71.0 | — |
| 68 | Linn | Ekos SE | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 69 | Origin Live | Calypso Mk5 (no arm) | Turntable | 71.0 | — |
| 70 | Origin Live | Illustrious Mk5 | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 71 | Origin Live | Silver Mk5 | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 72 | Origin Live | Zephyr Mk5 | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 73 | ProJect | Tonearm 9" Carbon/Alu (X2 B) | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 74 | Rega | RB Titanium | Tonearm | 71.0 | 8 |
| 75 | Rega | RB3000 | Tonearm | 71.0 | 4 |
| 76 | Roksan | Attessa Unipivot tonearm | Tonearm | 71.0 | 9 |
| 77 | SME | 309 | Tonearm | 71.0 | — |
| 78 | Vertere | Groove Runner X | Tonearm | 71.0 | 6 |
| 79 | Origin Live | Resolution Mk5 (no arm) | Turntable | 70.9 | — |
| 80 | Rega | Aphelion 2 MC | Cartridge | 70.9 | — |
| 81 | Technics | SL-1200G | Turntable | 70.7 | 1 |
| 82 | van den Hul | The Frog | Cartridge | 70.7 | 19 |
| 83 | Linn | Kendo MC | Cartridge | 70.5 | — |
| 84 | Michell | T8 | Tonearm | 70.5 | 1 |
| 85 | Technics | S-shape aluminium tonearm (SL-1500C/CS) | Tonearm | 70.5 | — |
| 86 | Koetsu | Black Goldline MC | Cartridge | 70.3 | 2 |
| 87 | Origin Live | Conqueror Mk5 | Tonearm | 70.0 | 2 |
| 88 | ProJect | Tonearm 8.6 Carbon (Debut PRO) | Tonearm | 70.0 | 22 |
| 89 | Miyajima | Shilabe MC | Cartridge | 69.8 | — |
| 90 | Linn | Krane | Tonearm | 69.3 | — |
| 91 | Koetsu | Rosewood MC | Cartridge | 69.2 | — |
| 92 | Lyra | Kleos MC | Cartridge | 69.2 | — |
| 93 | Lyra | Delos MC | Cartridge | 69.1 | 11 |
| 94 | Rega | Apheta 3 MC | Cartridge | 69.1 | — |
| 95 | Sumiko | Oriole MC | Cartridge | 69.1 | 1 |
| 96 | Hana | Umami Blue MC | Cartridge | 68.9 | — |
| 97 | Hana | MH MC | Cartridge | 68.8 | 5 |
| 98 | Ortofon | MC Cadenza Blue | Cartridge | 68.8 | — |
| 99 | Linn | LP12 plinth + Majik PSU (no arm/cart) | Turntable | 68.7 | 12 |
| 100 | London Decca | Maroon Type II | Cartridge | 68.7 | — |
| 101 | London Decca | Super Gold Type II | Cartridge | 68.7 | — |
| 102 | Miyajima | Saboten MC | Cartridge | 68.7 | — |
| 103 | Technics | SL-1500CS (with cart) | Turntable | 68.7 | 6 |
| 104 | Dynavector | Te Kaitora Rua MC | Cartridge | 68.4 | — |
| 105 | Goldring | Ethos SE | Cartridge | 68.0 | — |
| 106 | Linn | Krystal MC | Cartridge | 68.0 | — |
| 107 | AVID | Diva II (no arm) | Turntable | 67.9 | — |
| 108 | Sumiko | Starling MC | Cartridge | 67.7 | — |
| 109 | Etsuro Urushi | Gin-nezu MC | Cartridge | 67.5 | — |
| 110 | van den Hul | MC One Special | Cartridge | 67.5 | — |
| 111 | Audio-Technica | AT-ART9XI MC | Cartridge | 67.3 | 3 |
| 112 | Origin Live | Aurora Mk5 (no arm) | Turntable | 67.3 | — |
| 113 | Ortofon | MC Cadenza Bronze | Cartridge | 67.1 | — |
| 114 | Dynavector | DV Karat 17DX MC | Cartridge | 66.9 | — |
| 115 | Rega | Planar 6 RS + RB880 + Nd9 + Neo MK2 PSU | Turntable | 66.9 | — |
| 116 | Vertere | Mystic II MC | Cartridge | 66.9 | — |
| 117 | Michell | TecnoDec | Turntable | 66.7 | — |
| 118 | van den Hul | MC-10 Special | Cartridge | 66.6 | — |
| 119 | Miyajima | Carbon MC | Cartridge | 66.5 | — |
| 120 | Rega | Planar 6 + RB330 + Neo PSU (no cart) | Turntable | 66.3 | — |
| 121 | Miyajima | Takumi MC | Cartridge | 66.2 | — |
| 122 | Inspire | Force 10 (no arm) | Turntable | 66.1 | — |
| 123 | Hana | ML MC | Cartridge | 65.8 | 1 |
| 124 | Ortofon | MC Quintet Black S | Cartridge | 65.6 | — |
| 125 | Rega | Nd3 MM | Cartridge | 65.4 | 9 |
| 126 | Ortofon | 2M Black MM | Cartridge | 65.3 | — |
| 127 | Hana | SL MkII MC | Cartridge | 65.1 | 1 |
| 128 | Sumiko | Moonstone MM | Cartridge | 64.9 | 1 |
| 129 | Hana | EL MC | Cartridge | 64.8 | 4 |
| 130 | Rega | Nd5 MM | Cartridge | 64.8 | — |
| 131 | Rega | Ania Pro MC | Cartridge | 64.2 | — |
| 132 | Vertere | Sabre MM | Cartridge | 64.2 | — |
| 133 | Hana | SH MkII MC | Cartridge | 64.1 | — |
| 134 | Ortofon | MC Quintet Bronze | Cartridge | 64.0 | — |
| 135 | Sumiko | Songbird Low MC | Cartridge | 63.9 | 2 |
| 136 | Dynavector | DV-20X2 Low MC | Cartridge | 63.7 | — |
| 137 | Pro-Ject | Debut Pro (with cart) | Turntable | 63.7 | 39 |
| 138 | Rega | Nd9 MM | Cartridge | 63.7 | 2 |
| 139 | Goldring | Eroica LX MC | Cartridge | 63.6 | — |
| 140 | Rega | Nd7 MM | Cartridge | 63.6 | — |
| 141 | Sumiko | Amethyst MM | Cartridge | 63.5 | — |
| 142 | Sumiko | Blue Point No.3 High MC | Cartridge | 63.5 | — |
| 143 | Sumiko | Olympia MM | Cartridge | 63.4 | — |
| 144 | Audio-Technica | AT-OC9XSL MC | Cartridge | 63.2 | — |
| 145 | Goldring | Eroica HX MC | Cartridge | 63.2 | 3 |
| 146 | Rega | Ania MC | Cartridge | 63.2 | — |
| 147 | Sumiko | Songbird High MC | Cartridge | 63.1 | — |
| 148 | Goldring | 1042 MM | Cartridge | 63.0 | — |
| 149 | Hana | EH MC | Cartridge | 62.7 | — |
| 150 | Pro-Ject | X2 B (with cart, balanced) | Turntable | 62.6 | — |
| 151 | Sumiko | Blue Point No.3 Low MC | Cartridge | 62.6 | — |
| 152 | Sumiko | Wellfleet MM | Cartridge | 62.6 | — |
| 153 | Linn | Adikt MM | Cartridge | 62.5 | — |
| 154 | Linn | Koil MC | Cartridge | 62.5 | 1 |
| 155 | Rega | Planar 3 RS + RB330 + Neo PSU | Turntable | 62.4 | — |
| 156 | Rega | Planar 3 + RB330 | Turntable | 62.0 | 17 |
| 157 | Sumiko | Pearl MM | Cartridge | 62.0 | — |
| 158 | Sumiko | Rainier MM | Cartridge | 61.9 | — |
| 159 | Sumiko | Black Pearl MM | Cartridge | 61.8 | 3 |
| 160 | Roksan | Attessa Turntable | Turntable | 61.7 | 2 |
| 161 | Sumiko | Oyster MM | Cartridge | 61.6 | 2 |