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ELAC MRC501-GB
Miracord 50 Turntable
The Miracord 50 Turntable is a testament to ELAC's unwavering commitment to precision engineering and a passion for music that transcends time. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with the timeless appeal of vinyl, providing audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike with an immersive journey into the heart of their favorite tunes.
Anti-Resonance Chassis
Superior isolation is achieved with a chassis designed to minimize the sonic effects of vibration and feedback. A low-noise DC servo motor drives a die-cast, high-inertia aluminum platter with special record mat via a rubber belt, resulting in stable speed and minimal wow and flutter.
Damped Platter
The underside of the platter is covered with strategically-placed elastomer damping material. Not only does this material drastically reduce the platter resonance (the RING when the platter is tapped) but due to the increased mass it also increases rotational inertia, improving speed accuracy. An undamped platter will ring like a bell, and that resonant energy is transferred through the vinyl back to the phono cartridge resulting in distortion.
Servo Speed Control
A sensor and motor control circuit measures the actual platter speed at the bearing and corrects it instantaneously in a closed-loop feedback system. This technique improves the Model 50’s wow and flutter specification by over 50% and speed accuracy by 66% over the simple belt drive and DC motor.
Precision Tonearm and Cartridge
The tonearm is a static-balance, straight-tube design with precision bearings, built-in anti-skate adjustment and removable bayonet-style headshell. A premounted moving-magnet cartridge takes all the guesswork out of setup and assures proper vertical tracking angle, tracking weight and azimuth adjustment right out of the box.
Built-in Phono Equalizer Amplifier
Unlike most turntables, the Miracord 50 comes complete with a built-in defeatable phono preamp for correct RIAA equalization. That means you can add LP playback without having to add a costly phono stage to line-level preamps or digital-only systems. Just plug it in, put on a record and enjoy rich LP sound!
High-Tolerance Main Bearing Assembly
The motor servo sensor for the speed feedback is integrated into an improved main bearing assembly. The platter rests on this bearing, so it takes not only the vertical load of the platter mass plus the record, it also has to resist the torque applied to it via the drive belt and motor pulling laterally against it. This better bearing has lower friction and lower rumble.
Miracord
History
Built-in Phono
Equalizer Amplifier
Precision Tonearm and Cartridge
Audio-Technica AT91 moving magnet
Anti-resonant
Chassis
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
90/100
Refined, rhythmically confident, and beautifully composed, the MRC501-GB delivers a clean, incisive sound with tight bass, crisp treble, and a wide, deep soundstage. HiFi News praised its plug-and-play ease, while StereoNET United Kingdom highlighted its polished timing and refined imaging.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers a clean, detailed, and well-organized presentation with precise imaging and strong soundstage depth.
Produces tight, extended bass with fluid mids and crisp treble that stay composed and non-fatiguing.
Offers a strong plug-and-play package thanks to the included cartridge and straightforward setup.
Feels well built, with reviewers praising its solid construction and stylish finish.
&
Cons
Supplied cartridge and setup can sound a little bright or hard, making an upgrade worthwhile for some systems.
Manual belt-moving speed change is less convenient than modern electronic switching.
No dust cover is included, so protection is an optional extra.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Reviewers describe a clean, clear, incisive presentation with strong timing, precise imaging, and a wide, deep soundstage. The deck is praised for its tight, focused bass, fluid midrange, crisp treble, and a sense of polish that makes the music feel engaging and well organized.
Overall Sound
92/100
The reviews repeatedly call the Miracord 70 clean, clear, refined, polished, and incisive. They also highlight good timing, precise imaging, and a soundstage with real width and depth, with one review calling it a turntable that rewards listening with a 'polished and incisive sound quality'.
Speed Stability
90/100
Timing is described as excellent and 'impeccable,' and the deck was confirmed by stroboscope and LED light to be spinning at the right speed. Reviewers do not report drift or wandering pitch, and the rhythmic presentation is consistently described as enjoyable and sure-footed.
Tonearm Performance
92/100
The supplied arm is described as super smooth in its gimbal bearings, with useful tracking-weight and anti-skate adjustment and long enough mounting slots to make cartridge setup straightforward. Another review praises the in-house arm as carefully engineered, and the package is described as one of the best plug-and-play combinations encountered.
Noise Isolation
89/100
The platter, bearing, and sub-platter are repeatedly described as silent and low-friction, with the ceramic ball and bearing system designed for minimum noise and fuss. The grounding provisions are also said to help combat hum, though the reviews say less about isolation under difficult room conditions or footfall sensitivity.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviewers describe the Miracord 70 as beautifully built, with a solid MDF plinth, substantial weight, a glass platter, and a carefully executed bearing and motor arrangement. The fit, finish, and mechanical execution are repeatedly presented as a real strength rather than a cosmetic one.
Features Usability
89/100
This is a straightforward, user-friendly deck with an included cartridge, adjustable tracking force and anti-skate, and easy cartridge mounting thanks to the headshell slots. Reviewers frame it as an especially strong plug-and-play package, though it remains a fairly purist design without lots of extra convenience features.
Value for Money
90/100
The reviews explicitly call it value-laden, note that its price is competitive, and say it is up against well-known rivals in a tough market. The included cartridge and the ability to show clear benefits from an upgrade both strengthen the value argument, especially for listeners wanting a refined package rather than a barebones deck.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ELAC MRC501-GB
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 122 more verified dealers