Pear Audio Analogue Little John
The Little John delivers a warm, organic vinyl presentation that makes voices tactile, images solid and soundstages convincingly deep. Paul Seydor found its smooth, musical flow and quiet backdrop exceptionally engaging, while stable speed and the capable Cornet 2 arm make this a refined choice for listeners who value long-session listenability over forensic analysis.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Usability
81/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Warm, smooth and naturally musical presentation with tactile vocal presence and an organic sense of flow.
Precise, solid imaging and a wide, genuinely deep soundstage when the recording permits.
Speed tested spot-on with no drift during the review period.
Cornet 2 arm handled both tested cartridges capably and avoided hum even at maximum volume.
Cons
Treble is mildly rolled off and bass can sound warm or plummy, reducing air, sparkle and ultimate punch versus more neutral decks.
Microphonic plinth makes careful placement and isolation important.
Manual usability has compromises: no speed adjustment, belt repositioning for 33/45rpm, no arm lock, and unclear antiskating guidance.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The Little John/Cornet 2 pairing is described as warm, smooth and naturally musical, with a notably quiet backdrop when records are clean. It also earns praise for tactile vocal presence, solid imaging, convincing depth and satisfying detail, although the microphonic plinth remains a caveat for isolation.
Overall Sound
94/100
The reviewer found the presentation extremely pleasing: mildly warm but not mushy, rounded and dimensional without softness, and sweet without losing definition. Its organic, unforced character kept attention on the music, while voices and instruments had tactile presence, imaging was precise, and resolution met the reviewer's expectations.
Speed Stability
91/100
There is no user speed adjustment, but strobe checks found speed spot-on. Further checks during the review found no drift, supporting confident pitch stability in use.
Tonearm Performance
91/100
The supplied Cornet 2 arm was judged fully capable with both cartridges used in the review. It also eliminated a previously encountered issue even with the volume control fully open, indicating secure setup and effective performance.
Noise Isolation
87/100
The combination produced a notably quiet, dark background with clean records, aided by the foam mat and adjustable rubber-tipped feet. However, the reviewer explicitly found the plinth very microphonic, so careful placement and isolation remain important.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The Little John uses a two-layer plinth, adjustable rubber-tipped feet, and a separate motor assembly arranged not to touch the plinth cut-out. The reviewer also describes the resulting package as trim and elegant, though the plinth's microphonic behavior limits confidence in its resonance control.
Features Usability
81/100
This is a straightforward manual design with adjustable feet for leveling and a supplied foam platter mat. The separate motor arrangement requires deliberate placement during setup, and there is no provision for speed adjustment.
Value for Money
85/100
At $2,995, the Little John is the entry-level model in Pear Audio Analogue's five-turntable Blue line. The review does not directly compare its value with competing turntables or offer a firm verdict on whether it outperforms similarly priced peers.
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Specifications
Manufacturer's Description — Pear Audio Analogue
Features essential parameters in turntable design
Little John was designed by Peter Mezek and uses the same motor principle and the motor still has to be initially spun by hand. This motor principle drastically reduces the resonance going from the motor to the platter and ensures speed accuracy. Little John’s components are selected to work perfectly together, making the whole more than the sum of its parts – creating a turntable in sonic harmony.
Special attention has been placed on a new bearing development along with a new and improved plinth. An improved motor arrangement and a different platter were implemented along with other improvements to achieve superior organic sound quality. The perfect marriage of materials results in astonishing realism, tonal quality and balance, with a realistic and deep 3D soundstage. You’ll be able to hear an astonishing, near-live performance of your favorite musicians.
An Evolution of Turntable Design Approach
Pear Audio Blue introduces a range of turntables and tonearms based on Tom Fletcher’s last ideas on turntable construction. Unrestricted from past designs Tom Fletcher designed a new range of turntables and tonearms for his good friend Peter Mezek, called Pear Audio Blue.
The Approach
Pear Audio Blue turntables and tonearms do not represent a revolution, but rather an evolution in Tom Fletcher’s approach to turntable design. Several features of Tom Fletcher’s designs from Nottingham Analogue remain. Pear Audio Blue uses the same motor principle and the motor still has to be initially spun by hand. This motor principle drastically reduces the resonance going from the motor to the platter and ensures speed accuracy.
The Features
Pear Audio Blue features an essential parameter in turntable design: matching materials able to control resonance naturally and that are sonically in phase. Components are selected to work perfectly together, making the whole more than the sum of its parts – creating a turntable in sonic harmony. Special attention has been placed on new bearing development, improved motor arrangement, and a different platter which results in astonishing realism, tonal quality and balance.
Homage to New Orleans Jazz Legends
Tom Fletcher and Peter Mezek often listened to New Orleans jazz together so each turntable is named after famous New Orleans jazz musicians. Each turntable is built upon the same design principles and consistently deliver high-performance sound, enduring build quality, and exceptional value well beyond their price point. Each model is handcrafted and undergoes extensive quality control before being shipped.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Pear Audio Analogue Little John
- 138 Quaiduson — online and in-store — Lille, Hauts-de-France, France (website)
- Ann Arbor Audio Design — in-store — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (website)
- Audio Creativ — in-store — Riedenburg, Bayern, Germany (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
- Audiophile Zone — online and in-store — Baywood-Los Osos, California, United States (website)
- Deep Dive Audio — in-store — Palm Bay, Florida, United States (website)
- Dr Vinyl — in-store — Middle River, Maryland, United States (website)
- Farnsworth Audio — in-store — Draper, Utah, United States (website)
- Hi Notes — in-store — Durham, North Carolina, United States (website)
- Hifi Collector — in-store — Uraidla, South Australia, Australia (website)
and 6 more verified dealers