AVID Ingenium SE

Introduction

After a period of digital reviewing, I have been fortunate to review a turntable from the analogue premier league of HiFi, the AVID Ingenium SE, along with one of AVID’s new phono stages, the Pellar II.

Delivered and assembled for me by Conrad Mas, the founder and Managing Director of AVID, the Ingenium SE builds on the 2013 Ingenium Plug&Play, which offered high-end reference engineering concepts from AVID’s much more expensive turntables down to a more accessible price point.

Design

The AVID Ingenium SE is a belt-driven, unsuspended turntable. It is designed to near perfection, taking ideas from their Flagship Acutus turntables. Noise reduction is the name of the game with AVID, and they have incorporated several techniques and technologies to achieve this.

The Ingenium SE incorporates a screw-down mechanical clamp that is not just a weight; it tightly grounds the record directly to the main stainless-steel spindle. This removes resonance generated by the cartridge tracking the groove, passing it down through the spindle to dissipate into the main chassis. Removing these micro-vibrations prevents them from reflecting into the stylus, contributing to a silent background.

The Ingenium SE also features an inverted sapphire recess with a tungsten carbide bearing, and this single-point contact eliminates metal-on-metal friction and lateral movement, removing platter wobble and bearing rumble. Additionally, the main spindle is internally tapered to prevent standing-wave buildup, further eliminating noise.

The AC synchronous motor is derived from the Relveo motor enclosure, and it is physically decoupled from the turntable frame, housed within a heavy, precision-machined standalone base. These mechanical motor vibrations are isolated from the main chassis and tonearm entirely, preventing motor hum from contaminating the cartridge signal.

The motor’s power supply is also external, keeping raw mains transformer hum and electrical noise away from the sensitive cartridge signal path.

The aluminium chassis is shaped like a cross and stands on Sorbothane/elastomer feet. The solid 2.5″ x 2″ machined aluminium cruciform chassis acts as a rigid bridge between the platter and the tonearm. The Sorbothane isolation feet filter out low-frequency footfall and room-borne vibrations before they reach the platter.

There is an upgrade path if affordable; the Ingenium SE can have an optional speed-control PSU or a heavy metal platter instead of the standard HDF platter.

Quality

The Ingenium SE is heavy, functional, and without frills, focusing solely on noise reduction and timing; its only nod to contemporary styling is the beautifully machined ‘A’ on the front of the chassis frame, which characterises other AVID products like the Accent amplifier reviewed here.

Every detail matters in the Ingenium SE; this extends to the black paint finish, which helps dissipate high-frequency noise. The design and finish feel like pure British excellence and, though functional, everything has a purpose.

The SE comes with their TA-3 arm (built on a custom Rega one-piece arm-tube geometry), with cartridge choice left to the buyer.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m using my Reference System with the Ingenium SE and Pellar II alongside the Michell GYRO SE.

On the AVID, I have the TA-3 tonearm, which is derived from a Rega RB330 tonearm. On this, I have a HANA ML Moving-Coil cartridge.

Physically

Starting the turntable up with the external PSU involves a clockwise 1/8^th turn on the PSU knob, and the platter turns instantly.  The HDF platter is light, but the same torque is delivered with the platter upgrade, which is more than twice the mass (2.5kg v 5.5kg).

As suggested above, functionality is the name of the game with AVID, but the Perspex ‘Unicover’ dust cover that I use for the Michell is fine if you’re looking for a cover for the Ingenium SE.

The Stone Roses

For some strange reason, when Conrad first set up the Ingenium for me, I put on Arooj Aftab’s Vulture Price (2022, Verve) album. Whilst it is a beautiful recording with room atmospherics, a smooth double bass line, and impeccable space and detail, I realised I had probably missed the point. It was the wrong moment for the album (lunchtime?), and I needed the real turntable experience. I needed pace and rhythm.

In the absence of The Stone Roses’ debut, it was Ryan Adams’ Gold (2001, PaxAm) that delivered. Bass, pace and rhythm and still one of my go-to albums; the obvious joy and super low noise floor from the Ingenium SE was a revelation. The next few hours flew by, as did the days. One whole morning involved me digging out my entire collection of original New Order 12″s, all in good condition.  Spanning 1983 to 1986, the 45s are seminal works and classic alternative 80s.

I also bought a new copy of The Stone Roses debut (the 2009 remastered version, Silverstone Records), and the world was a truly beautiful, analogue place.  The loss in the village of internet was inconsequential to me; it coincided with the arrival of the Aluminium platter upgrade.  It prompted me to put in a confirmation email to Conrad;

I have to say yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had here for a long time, that’s really all it’s about I guess!?

Conrad was delighted.

The Stone Roses debut album is a revelation; Reni’s percussion and Mani’s rhythm are spine-tingling. This is The One, really is The One, how do you follow that? Oh, of course, with I Am the Resurrection. 

I’ve fallen in love with vinyl again.

And that really is the point at the end of the day.  A proper turntable, with proper no-fuss pre and power amplifiers, with a vanishingly low noise floor, even over my GYRO SE.  Crikey.

Aluminium Platter Upgrade

The Platter upgrade is barely believable, given the joy of the HDF platter on the Ingenium SE. Assembly is simple, but you need to be careful with the weight; 4 bolts slip into the platter to anchor it to the sub-platter. I’m unclear why the HDF platter doesn’t have the same fitted holes.

The platter upgrade offers greater mass, therefore greater solidity between the cartridge and vinyl. Without doubt, this is a proper upgrade with more heft in the delivery from the turntable even on initial listening. Side A of Dire Straits’ Love Over Gold (1982, Vertigo) has a wider soundstage with more space to engage with. Bass extension, for me, is cleaner and more stable.

Private Investigations emerges with more drive from the blacker background; the dynamics are tremendous, and the metallic guitar detail is sumptuous.

Pellar II with the GYRO SE

Thus far, I was listening to the Ingenium SE with the AVID Pellar II

I have a Michell GYRO SE (an original old one rebuilt, re-loved and re-fitted) with a recently installed Rega Nd9 MM cartridge (on an RB303 tonearm) which is at the top end of their MM cartridges. The Peller II is perfectly engineered to accept MM and MC cartridges with minimal fuss.

To set it up, I needed to remove the supplied loading plugs. To match the MM Nd9 output and I needed to turn the gain dip switches off (because, of course, it was matched to the HANA ML MC cartridge). It was a five-minute task. Taking the place of my Rega Fono MM (Mk II), the Pellar II is a real step up.

A few things are immediately clear. The Pellar II is a huge upgrade on my existing Rega Fono MM. It’s like chalk and cheese. The Rega Nd9 cartridge on my GYRO through the Pellar is the real deal, and the GYRO really has been genuinely uplifted; it just sounds more dynamic. My background is not particularly darker (though it better) but in Ryan Adams’ Sylvia Plath (2014 Carnegie Hall, PaxAm) the high frequencies crispier and clearer in the Pellar II.

I need a new phono stage, basically.

Returning to the Ingenium SE

Playing that same Ryan Adams Carnegie Hall concert, all six sides of the first night (including the applause on Side 6), is nothing but joy; it really is like being there. Having seen the guy live, I feel every note.

Thoughts

There is nothing like vinyl, nothing. I have one of the best DACs and a matching streaming transport, but it can never replace the vinyl experience. I’m so happy to have been reminded of this with the AVID Ingenium SE. The quote above sums up the last few weeks;

I have to say… one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had here for a long time; that’s really all it’s about, I guess!?

Would I like to buy one of these? Absolutely!

What Three Words

Natural – Pure – Silent

Overall

I’m absolutely loving this Ingenium SE; it is silent and a testament to the analogue experience… How on earth can the Relveo and Acutus better this?

At this price, I feel the platter upgrade should be considered on purchase as it offers such a great improvement.

Music

Albums used in this review, with a few others for good measure.

New Order Original 12″s from 1980s

These are my prized 12″s in fairly mint condition!  Reborn. I’ve noted I’m missing Sub-Culture, which is a bit annoying!

Love 

• Vinyl
• AVID functionality
• Super low noise floor
• Pellar II

Like 

• Bonded cork record mat
• Understated look
• AVID ‘A’ branding

Wish

• It’s going to be hard to pack this up.