ELAC MRC501-GB
The ELAC MRC501-GB pairs a servo-controlled belt drive with a full-size aluminium platter for a straightforward vinyl front end built around speed consistency and low mechanical noise. Its 33⅓/45rpm operation and 0.10% wow-and-flutter specification make it an appealingly practical option for listeners seeking stable playback and an uncomplicated route into record listening.
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
55/100
Build Quality
62/100
Features Usability
80/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Servo-controlled belt-drive system supports stable 33⅓ and 45rpm playback.
Full-size aluminium die-cast platter provides a substantial conventional platform for vinyl playback.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 55/100
The supplied reviews cover the higher Miracord 70 and Miracord 90 rather than the MRC501-GB, so they do not establish this model's listening performance. Its published specification confirms a belt-drive layout with servo control, but there is no direct account of its musical character, arm behavior or isolation in the available material.
Overall Sound
50/100
No review supplied assesses the MRC501-GB's tonal balance, detail, dynamics, imaging or musical engagement. The enthusiastic comments about the Miracord 70 and 90 cannot reliably be treated as findings about this different model.
Speed Stability
62/100
ELAC specifies a DC motor with a speed-rotation servo system, selectable 33⅓ and 45rpm operation, and 0.10% wow and flutter. No reviewer directly evaluates pitch stability or speed consistency on the MRC501-GB.
Tonearm Performance
50/100
The available specifications do not identify the supplied tonearm or describe its bearings, adjustment range, cartridge compatibility or tracking performance. Reviews of tonearms fitted to the Miracord 70 and 90 are not direct evidence for this model.
Noise Isolation
60/100
The stated signal-to-noise ratio is 67dB A-weighted, suggesting a reasonably controlled mechanical noise floor. There is no direct review evidence concerning motor noise, rumble, footfall sensitivity or resistance to acoustic feedback.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
62/100
The MRC501-GB specification lists an aluminium die-cast 300mm platter, a conventional belt-drive system and DC motor. Reviewers provide no direct assessment of this model's plinth, bearing, feet, finish or long-term construction quality.
Features Usability
80/100
Electronic servo operation and selectable 33⅓/45rpm speeds cover the essential day-to-day functions. The supplied information does not confirm a phono stage, bundled cartridge, automatic operation, USB connectivity or other convenience features.
Value for Money
85/100
At $699, the MRC501-GB sits below the reviewed Miracord 70 and Miracord 90 models, but none of the supplied reviews assesses its value against direct rivals. Comments calling the Miracord 70 competitive and value-laden cannot be assumed to apply to this model.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Drive System
- Belt drive
- Motor
- DC motor
- Selectable Speeds
- 33⅓ and 45 pm
- Motor Servo
- Speed rotation and servo system
- Rotation Speed Varia
- +/-1%
- Wow and Flutter
- 0.10%
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 67 dB or higher (A-weighted)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 60 dB or higher (unweighted)
- Platter
- Aluminum die-cast
- Platter Diameter
- 12.0 in / 300 mm
Manufacturer's Description — ELAC
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
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 — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and 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 123 more verified dealers