I've been reading lots in the magazines about the J. Sikora tables - any actual owners here who care to share their thoughts?

[No Regrets]

Hi Don
As far as I can tell there are no special needs, I suppose mainly due to the actual weight of both Standard Max and Reference. They both sit on standard tables without any additional treatment. Wooden floor in both rooms, laid directly on concrete.

Thank you so much for your reply. That is good to know!

In my case, I have what I believe people refer to as suspended hard wood floors in my music room - due to the fact that we have a full open basement below my music room and the hardwood floors are laid on a subfloor supported by rafters and joists, etc. This can cause a flex in the floor when walking or from energy vibrations from the traffic outside or from the music coming from my speakers, etc. A person generally does not necessarily feel the floor flex underneath them, but it some way it does and then those vibrations can find their way up through your equipment stand into your turntable/cartridge/arm.

To combat those unwanted external vibrations, I have my turntable placed on a wall-mounted platform that is lag bolted into a load bearing wall of my music room. My wife and I can quite literally jump up and down, dancing in front of my turntable and the stylus does not skip a beat
Sadly though, I don't think my wall mount would support the weight of either the Standard Max or the Reference Line turntable.

I think that in your case, having the wooden floors laid directly on concrete - you probably have a much more solid foundation that may eliminate any flex or external vibrations.

Best wishes,
Don

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

Anyone have a point of view on how the Kronos Sparta table would compare to the Sikora reference?

 

[Barry2013]

In particular the Standard Max/Kuzma 4 Point combo as reviewed in TAS seems to be the combo to beat for price/performance.

Thanks in advance!!

I bought a J Sikora Standard with the KVA 12" arm about a year ago and more recently installed an Etsuro Bordeaux cartridge.
The turntable in my experience is remarkably good and remarkable value. Manufacturing costs are lower in Poland than in more developed economies but the build quality is very good.
The sound is neutral and well balanced and the synergy with the Bordeaux ensures a sound quality that is up with the best.
The unipivot arm of which I had no previous experience took a bit of getting used to but that's the nature of such designs and no reflection on its performance and sound.

 

[JRW1971]

I own both the Standard Max and the Initial Max, and I’ve owned a lot of ‘tables from VPI, TechDas, SME; the Sikoras are a fabulous value. The Standard Max should cost $100k.

Very quiet. Great bass. Lots of 3D. Clean and tight with its delivery, but never sterile. Most importantly, not boring. These ‘tables are alive.

 

[Salectric]

@JRW1971
I am interested in both the Standard Max and Initial Max, and I will be hearing each of them tomorrow but unfortunately in different systems. Since you own both of these tables, can you describe how they differ sonically?

 

[JRW1971]

They are in different systems, different rooms (one in a basement with a foundation floor, one with a suspended wooden floor), different arms, different carts. With that significant caveat: both excellent. The bigger Standard Max has more of a “solid” sound, perhaps the bass amplitude is more uniform from lowest to upper bass?? The bigger ‘table’s platter has more momentum, thus better speed stability (not that I hear a difference). And I have the upgraded power supply on the Standard Max, adding to speed stability. Here’s what I really think: they are both better than anything else on the planet in their respective price brackets. The Initial Max is a ridiculous bargain, in particular. It replaced an SME 20/2A, and let’s just say I’ve never looked back. FWIW, within the same system, the Standard Max is audibly grander sounding, more immersive, and cooler-looking, than my Air Force V (also with better top end extension). Although I do really love the AF’s vacuum hold-down function. Not sure where you will be listening, but the North American J Sikora distributor is also my local DC-area dealer (Jeff Fox), and he’s a true pro with vinyl. He’d be a good person to ask (google Command Performance).

 

[Salectric]

Thank you @JRW1971. Very nice summary. I sent you a pm.

 

[No Regrets]

I am interested in both the Standard Max and Initial Max, and I will be hearing each of them tomorrow

I'm very excited for you! I absolutely love J Sikora tables
I also agree that Jeff Fox is an outstanding gentleman!

Please come back and let us know how the auditions went and what you thought!

Best wishes,
Don

 

[Barry2013]

I'm very excited for you! I absolutely love J Sikora tables
I also agree that Jeff Fox is an outstanding gentleman!

Please come back and let us know how the auditions went and what you thought!

Best wishes,
Don

Agree with all the other commendations
One tip though which is that the Stillpoints LP1 V2 turntable works much better in my system than the stock clamp