FAQ
Questions, answered plainly.
Everything people ask us about Pure Fidelity turntables, from what hybrid means to how long a table takes to build. If your question is not here, ask; the answer will be added.
About Pure Fidelity
Who makes Pure Fidelity turntables?
John Stratton, founder and Turntable Master Craftsman, designs and builds every Pure Fidelity turntable by hand in Burnaby, British Columbia, near Vancouver. The company was founded in 2015. John signs the underside of every plinth before it leaves the workshop.
Where are Pure Fidelity turntables made?
Every table is built in Pure Fidelity's own workshop in Burnaby, in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The plinths are CNC-machined and hand-veneered there, the platters are machined there as well, and final assembly and final inspection happen on John's bench. All by hand.
How many turntables does Pure Fidelity make?
A handful a month, on purpose. Each is built to order, one at a time, which is how every table can be calibrated individually and signed by the maker.
What does "hybrid" mean in a Pure Fidelity turntable?
Hybrid refers to the mass of the design. High-mass turntables can produce solid bass but tend to sound dull; low-mass tables can be quick and dynamic but tend to sound bright; suspended turntables can have good timing but lack bass and need periodic tuning. Pure Fidelity's intermediate-mass approach, built on a rigid Ultra MDF plinth with no suspension, takes the strengths of each and leaves the weaknesses. It is also why Pure Fidelity developed its own isolation platform. The Ultra MDF plinth sits on top of the platform: small feet on the underside of the plinth rest in pockets machined into the top of the platform, and the platform is made to fit the table to a tenth of an inch. Because the plinth is not fixed to the platform, only resting in it, the table gets the stability of a high-mass design and the dynamics of a light one, without compromising either.
Why does Pure Fidelity use MDF for the plinth rather than solid wood or metal?
Ultra MDF is extremely dense, close to resonance-free and dimensionally stable, and it machines to tight, repeatable tolerances. Only a few mills produce MDF at this density. Solid wood moves with humidity and rings. Ultra MDF was not chosen to save cost; it takes more work to finish, but in John’s judgement it is the best core for a turntable plinth. The veneers over it are real wood, laid by hand, always one sheet across the face, with no seams and no book-matching.
Is Pure Fidelity a good turntable brand?
The Harmony has been listed in Class A of Stereophile’s Recommended Components in every edition since 2023. The Harmony, Symphony, Eclipse and Stratos have received Audiophilia Star Component awards, and the Eclipse and Symphony were named Audiophilia Product of the Year. Several reviewers who tested the Harmony bought their review units rather than return them, among them Anthony Kershaw of Audiophilia, Steve Huff, and Stereophile’s editor Jim Austin; Jay’s iyagi bought a Harmony and, three years later, a Symphony. The press page links every review.
Why are Pure Fidelity turntables so quiet?
Harder materials mean less friction, and less friction means less noise. The platter spins on a ruby ball in a bronze bearing well, the sub-platter shaft is stainless steel, and the plinth is ultra-dense MDF on an isolation platform. Owners describe the tables as being as silent between tracks as a streamer. Nothing about the design is exotic; the right materials were chosen for every job.
The turntables
What turntables does Pure Fidelity make?
Four: the Encore, the Harmony, the Allegro and the Symphony. The Encore is where the line begins, the Harmony is the reference for most listeners, the Allegro brings much of the Symphony into a smaller footprint, and the Symphony is the flagship. All four share the hybrid Ultra MDF plinth, the Delrin platter, the ruby bearing and Conductor speed control; they differ in mass, platter thickness, isolation and the arm they are configured with. The Eclipse and Horizon, the Encore and Harmony with one rounded corner, are no longer part of the main range, but are still built to order on request.
What is the difference between the Encore and the Harmony?
The Harmony adds a 6061 aircraft-aluminum isolation platform beneath the plinth, four IsoAcoustics GAIA IV footers, a thicker 48 mm Delrin platter, a larger sub-platter and the SS-10 record isolator. The Encore uses the same plinth and bearing on machined aluminum feet, with a 36 mm platter and the SS-1 record weight. Every model is available as the turntable alone or configured with the tonearm you choose.
What is the difference between the Harmony and the Symphony?
The Symphony is larger and heavier in every dimension: a 75 mm plinth to the Harmony’s 50 mm, a one-inch aluminum isolation platform to the Harmony’s three-quarter inch, large-profile GAIA IV footers, a 60 mm platter to 48 mm, a stainless steel armboard, the SS-100 record isolator with ruby balls, and the Conductor SE as standard. It is built around a twelve-inch tonearm, most often our own Savant Ti, and, like every model, can be bought as the turntable alone.
Can I upgrade an Encore into a Harmony later?
Yes. Add the aluminum isolation platform, the GAIA IV footers, the larger platter and the larger sub-platter to an Encore, and you have a Harmony. It costs less to buy a Harmony outright than to build one in stages, but an Encore is never a dead end: buy the turntable you can today and grow it into the one you want. The same applies to the Conductor SE and to tonearms.
What happened to the Eclipse and the Horizon?
They were the Encore and Harmony with one rounded corner, identical in performance. Most owners chose the square versions, so the range now concentrates on the Encore, Harmony, Allegro and Symphony. The Eclipse and Horizon are still built to order for anyone who asks, their reviews and awards remain part of the Pure Fidelity story, and every owner is fully supported.
Which Pure Fidelity turntable is right for me?
If you want the Pure Fidelity design at its most accessible, the Encore. If you want a turntable you will not need to replace, the Harmony, where most owners land. If you want much of the flagship in a smaller footprint, the Allegro. If you want our most complete turntable, with a twelve-inch arm and the largest isolation we make, the Symphony. Contact us, and we will talk through the system it is joining.
Can I put two tonearms on a Pure Fidelity turntable?
No. Each Pure Fidelity table is designed around one tonearm. Listeners who play both stereo and mono records usually choose a cartridge that handles both, or a tonearm with a detachable headshell so cartridges can be swapped in seconds. We are happy to advise.
Are Pure Fidelity turntables belt drive or direct drive?
Belt drive. A custom 12 V AC synchronous motor, made for us in the Netherlands, drives an aluminum and stainless steel sub-platter through two round belts from a stainless steel pulley, held to speed by the Conductor. Belt drive isolates the platter from motor vibration; the Conductor gives it the speed stability belt drives are sometimes said to lack.
What speeds do Pure Fidelity turntables play?
33 1/3 and 45 rpm, selected electronically on the Conductor, with separate fine pitch adjustment for each. They do not play 78 rpm records.
What is the platter made of, and do I need a mat?
Delrin, an acetal polymer, machined to 36, 48 or 60 millimetres depending on the model, to a finish that needs no polishing. Delrin behaves so much like vinyl that the record sits directly on it; no mat is needed. An acrylic platter, 48 millimetres, is available for any of our turntables. In John’s experience the two sound so alike that the choice is one of appearance and preference.
What is special about the bearing?
Every Pure Fidelity turntable turns on a ruby ball, rated 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, one step below diamond, in a well of bronze, beneath a shaft of stainless steel. Bronze is harder than the brass most makers use, with a lower coefficient of friction. Less friction means less noise. We could buy a hundred steel balls for the price of one ruby. We use the ruby.
The Conductor speed control
What is the Conductor?
The Conductor is our quartz-locked speed controller; every Pure Fidelity turntable ships with a Conductor or, on the Symphony and Allegro, the Conductor SE. A built-in microprocessor sends the motor the exact frequency for 33 1/3 or 45 rpm as a clean regenerated AC sine wave, holding speed to within plus or minus 0.003%, with fine pitch trim for each speed and a gentle soft start. It is the only mains-connected component in a Pure Fidelity system.
What is the difference between the Conductor and the Conductor SE?
The Conductor SE has a substantially larger transformer, which gives the motor more torque and brings the platter up to speed effortlessly, additional capacitors in the power supply, and a faster processor for start-up and stability. The controls are identical. It is the same enclosure with a shaped face plate, and the logo lights when you press power. The SE ships standard on the Symphony and the Allegro, and is an upgrade for Harmony and Encore owners.
Can I add a Conductor SE to my existing table?
Yes. It is a straight swap for the standard Conductor on any Harmony or Encore, with no calibration required, though an RPM reader is a good tool for seeing the speed and dialling it in. Body and face plate each come in black or silver, in any combination.
What voltage does the Conductor run on?
Both 120 and 230 volts. Tell us the voltage for your country and it ships from the factory set for it. If you move, there is a simple switch inside the Conductor; remove the back panel and change it.
Tonearms and cartridges
Does a Pure Fidelity turntable come with a tonearm?
Every table is configured with its owner. You can buy the table alone, or with the tonearm you choose, and the arm you choose is the one that ships with it. Pure Fidelity's own Savant Ti and arms from Origin Live and Audio Origami are the standard fittings; armboards for other makers, including Acoustic Signature and Tri-Planar, are made to order. Most owners take at least a tonearm with their table.
What is the Savant Ti tonearm?
The Savant Ti is our own tonearm, made by hand for us by Audio Origami in Glasgow, with a seamless titanium armtube, in nine-inch and twelve-inch lengths. It is easy to set up and easy to maintain: set it and forget it. It replaced the original aluminum Savant.
Can I use my own tonearm?
Usually, yes. Standard armboards are made in-house for Origin Live and Audio Origami arms; boards for other brands are made to special order. Tell us the arm and we will confirm the fit.
Are Pure Fidelity turntables hard to set up?
No, and that is deliberate. John's principle is that the more you spend on something, the easier it should be to set up. Many turntables become more confusing and more demanding as you move up a range; Pure Fidelity thinks that is backwards. A Pure Fidelity table is easy to set up, easy to maintain, and easy on the eyes and ears.
What cartridge should I use?
Pure Fidelity's own Stratos MC is designed for these tables and is the cartridge most reviews were conducted with. The tables and arms work with a wide range of moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges from other makers; we will recommend one for your phono stage and your listening.
What is the Stratos MC?
The Stratos is a low-output moving-coil cartridge in a Duralumin body: 0.45 mV output, 45 ohm internal impedance, 8 grams. It has its own listing in Stereophile's Recommended Components and an Audiophilia Star Component award. It is ordered and shipped separately from the table.
Do I need a phono stage?
Yes. Like every serious turntable, a Pure Fidelity table outputs a raw cartridge signal that needs a phono stage (phono preamplifier) before your amplifier, either built into the amplifier or separate. A moving-coil cartridge such as the Stratos needs a phono stage with a moving-coil input or a step-up transformer.
What is the difference between MM and MC cartridges?
A moving-magnet cartridge produces a higher output that any phono input accepts. A moving-coil cartridge produces a lower output that needs more gain and is generally chosen for its finer detail and speed. The Stratos is a moving-coil design.
Buying
How do I buy a Pure Fidelity turntable?
Two ways: through an authorised dealer, where you can hear one first, or directly from Pure Fidelity. Direct purchase begins with the form on the purchase page; John or Joe then call you to configure the table and confirm the details. The dealers page lists every authorised dealer.
Should I buy direct or through a dealer?
If there is a dealer near you, hearing the table in a system is the best way to choose. If there is not, buying direct is the same table, built to the same order, with the same warranty, configured with us on the phone.
How long does a Pure Fidelity turntable take to build?
On average two to six weeks, depending on demand; call ahead and we will tell you where the queue stands. Custom finishes and one-off requests add a little time, and those are projects John enjoys most.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide. When you buy direct, shipping anywhere in the world is included. Import duties and taxes in the destination country are the responsibility of the receiver.
Is financing available?
Yes, through Klarna and Affirm.
Can I order a custom finish?
Yes. Beyond the standard veneers, John takes on custom colours and woods personally: dyed quilted maple in colours from forest green to wine and steel blue, bird's eye maple, bubinga, smoked eucalyptus, and more, with an acrylic platter as an option. Describe what you want and we will tell you what is possible.
What finishes are available?
Quilted maple, rosewood, and koa are the core veneers, with others offered on particular models; some finishes are specific to the Symphony or the Harmony. Sheens run from matte through 40 and 60 degree satins to the high-gloss mirror finish that is Pure Fidelity's signature. The current options are on each product page, or ask.
Can I visit the workshop?
Yes, by appointment. The workshop and showroom are small and boutique, so contact us to book a time; you will meet John personally.
What is included with a turntable?
The turntable, the Conductor speed control, the record isolator or weight for the model, and the owner's manual. The tonearm, the cartridge, and the dust cover are each ordered separately and ship with the table when chosen. Most owners take at least a tonearm.
Warranty, registration, and ownership
What is the warranty?
Five years. Register your turntable within the first year of purchase and the warranty extends to ten years.
How do I register my turntable?
On the support page, in two minutes, with your serial number and proof of purchase. Registration connects your table to the workshop that built it for service history and upgrades.
Where is the serial number?
On the back of the turntable.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell the turntable?
Yes, for manufacturer defects. The warranty runs from the original purchase date and does not restart on transfer.
How do I set up my turntable?
Every table arrives factory-calibrated to its Conductor. Setup is placing it level on a stable surface, fitting the platter and belts, sliding the tonearm into the armboard and securing it with two screws once the height is set, feeding the arm cable through, mounting and aligning the cartridge, and setting tracking force and anti-skate. The tonearm always travels in its own box, never fixed to the armboard. The owner's manual and the setup films walk through each step, and every purchaser is offered a free thirty-minute video call with us to do it together. Most owners are surprised how easy it is.
What surface should a turntable sit on?
A level, rigid surface away from the speakers. The Harmony, Allegro and Symphony stand on GAIA IV footers, and the Harmony and Symphony on their own isolation platform as well, so they perform well even on ordinary furniture; a dedicated rack still helps in rooms with springy floors.
How do I care for it?
Keep dust off the platter and stylus, use the dust cover between sessions, and check the belts from time to time; they are unlikely to need replacing for at least five years. A few drops of oil in the bearing well every five years is the only other maintenance. A soft cloth is all a veneer plinth needs. Set it and forget it.
How long will a Pure Fidelity turntable last?
Every Pure Fidelity turntable is built to be the last one you buy. The plinth, platform, platter and bearing have no consumable parts; belts are the only routine replacement. The materials, the tolerances, and the fact that the maker will still be here to service it are why the warranty runs to ten years.
