Brinkmann Balance
The Brinkmann Balance turns vinyl into a remarkably quiet, high-resolution and dynamically assured experience, pairing massive-scale authority with finely separated instrumental detail. The Ear admired its calm, holographic presentation and controlled bass, while HiFi News highlighted its solidity, focus and expansive soundstage. Superb engineering and flexible arm mounting make this a compelling reference-level analogue platform.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
96/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally low noise floor, high resolution and convincing separation reveal fine groove detail without sacrificing musical ease.
Delivers powerful dynamics, secure bass extension and control, plus strong focus and large-scale imaging.
Exemplary machining, finish and temperature-stabilized bearing engineering support long-term precision.
Interchangeable arm-base system enables broad arm and cartridge tailoring; the 12.1 arm brought notably spacious, refined results.
Cons
Its substantial mass and multi-box configuration demand a suitably large, stable rack and make setup slow.
Instructions are limited, and initial speed adjustment plus warm-up require care.
The 10.0 arm was judged less expansive in soundstage width than the 12.1 option.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers describe an exceptionally composed, revealing and musically convincing presentation, with major dynamic scale, precise imaging and strong bass control. The Balance is also praised for stable pitch and a notably quiet background, while the arm platform accommodates high-performing Brinkmann arms and a broad choice of alternatives.
Overall Sound
96/100
Hi-Fi News found the Balance 2 brought recordings to life with unusual solidity, focus and scale, while The Ear praised its massive dynamic range, effortless resolution, powerful realism and addictive musical involvement. Stereophile placed its sonic performance among formidable high-end rivals including the SME 30, Avid Acutus and Kuzma Stabi Reference.
Speed Stability
94/100
The Ear reported that speed remained correctly set over several weeks of use and called the Balance one of the most stable and revealing turntables it had encountered. It was not described as the most overtly propulsive-sounding deck, but its timing was clearly secure and consistent.
Tonearm Performance
94/100
The interchangeable arm-base system supports virtually any 9- to 12-inch arm, giving the deck unusual flexibility. In listening, Hi-Fi News preferred the Brinkmann 12.1 for its cavernous soundstage and balanced character, while The Ear heard beautiful tone and effortless retrieval of groove information from the 12.1/EMT pairing.
Noise Isolation
93/100
The Ear was struck by the exceptionally low noise floor, saying that music emerged from near-silence with an element of surprise. Its review also linked the deck's calm, low-distortion behavior to its exceptional separation of fine musical detail.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
96/100
The Balance combines a CNC-machined aluminium plinth, substantial 18kg glass platter, temperature-stabilized bearing and adjustable spiked feet. Both Stereophile and The Ear praise its jewel-like finish, exemplary engineering and unusually thorough attention to details that are not immediately visible.
Features Usability
86/100
This is a focused high-end deck rather than a convenience-oriented record player, supplied with a record clamp, solid-state supply and setup tools. Its collar-based arm mounts allow quick arm-base changes and adjustment, and compatibility with a very broad range of 9- to 12-inch arms is a meaningful ownership advantage.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $23,495 to $27,000, the Balance occupies a rarefied price class alongside reference-level competitors. The reviews strongly support its engineering and performance, while 6moons also highlights Brinkmann's service commitment; however, they offer little direct comparison of its value against similarly priced alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
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Specifications
- Drive
- precision ground round belt
- Dimensions (WxDxH)
- 550 x 400 x 140 mm
- Weight
- 33 kg
- Platter
- weight 18 kg, Ø 316 mm, height 90 mm.
- Platter surface
- planar polished crystal glass (recessed mounting)
- Tonearm base
- available for 9...12'' tonearms
- Specification
- (arm mountings available for virtually any tonearm),
- Specification
- easy and quickexchange and adjustments are provided via a collar system.
- Included in delivery
- turntable, screw-down record clamp, solid state power supply, tools
- Options
- tube power supply »RöNt«, additional arm bases (also for 12.1'' tonearms)
Manufacturer's Description — Brinkmann
Our heaviest turntable keeps on running and running and running... with legendary quietness. Since its introduction in 1985, the »Balance« combines timeless beauty, highest sound quality and perfect build quality. The basic design has remained the same (honestly, there isn?t much to improve), but in the best Brinkmann tradition, the turntable has seen continuous evolution und sonic optimizations. Hence today, the turntable is state of the art in terms of aesthetics and technology – as it has always been – while sounding better than ever. Little wonder then that the »Balance« is used as the absolute reference turntable not only by Brinkmann, but quite a few renowned publications aswell. Not surprisingly, the »Balance« has received quite a few awards over the years: the “Gold Medal” for turntables from the “Image Hifi Millenium Awards” or the “Blue Moon” award from www.6moons.com.
The newest addition to our product range is the 2-arm Balance. The 4 phase (4 times 90°) Sinus motor of the Balance enables a very smooth rotation without cogging.
The RöNt II tubed power supply is the ideal completion for the »Balance«
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- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Alternative Audio — in-store — Taunton, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Anagram Audio — online and in-store — Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Audible Images — in-store — Melbourne, Florida, United States (website)
- Audio Venue — online and in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
- BEK Hifi — in-store — Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States (website)
and 28 more verified dealers