Townshend Rock Mark II Review

Overall Rating

Bass, control, clarity of sound

Getting used to using the trough

Max Townsend caused a big stir with his silicone fluid damped trough and generally broke every rule in the (Linn Sondek) book, but achieved unparalleled sound, especially in the Reference version.

The Townsend Rock mark II brings the most out of budget arms and cartridges but try it with a Decca Super Gold or Ortofon MC25FL and pick up your jaw from the floor.

I use it with a valve phono stage, (EAR), Quad 405-ll and Electroststics ('57) and it is wonderful.

Members' Comments onmanolisk's Review

• Bertie on 3rd Feb 2004

  manolisk.....I can believe every word. I had a demo of Max's prototype Rock at the Harrogate International Festival of Sound in 1981.
  It blew everything else away.

• goosegog10 on 11th Apr 2004

  that about sums it up. one of my biggest regrets in life was getting rid of my rock. quite simply a legend in the world of record players regardless of price

• deirdre on 14th Apr 2004

  I have just been given a rock turntable by my father -- which should go nocely with the Quad, I'm looking for a supplier for a lid - I understand this was optional - any ideas where I can locate one??

• manolisk on 15th Apr 2004

  "Comment by deirdre on 14th Apr 2004
  
  I have just been given a rock turntable by my father -- which should go nicely with the Quad, I'm looking for a supplier for a lid - I understand this was optional - any ideas where I can locate one?"
  
  ** To use the lid you need the plinth as well. Purists would argue against the lid being down when playing, so you may just want to get a big perspex cover to keep out dust. A better option is the Merlin power supply, though if you find one let me know!
  
  It blows digital (CD, DVD, SACD, etc, out of the water....)

• deirdre on 16th Apr 2004

  Many thanks for your reply - it does include the plinth - a beautiful piece of design! I never pay my vinyl with the lid down - so I guess that makes me a purist!
  However, I would prefer not to ruin the beauty in the design by just getting any old plastic lid, the image above, shows what looks like a manufactured lid specific to the rock....or any good looking alternatives??? I apologise for my design bias here...

• RLemaire on 29th Nov 2004

  RE: Merlin power supply
  I have an early Rock that was incredible when plugged into 230 Volts. Max did send me a pulley some years ago that was suppose to make the transition to 120 Volts but there was a bad hum and I put the turntable away.
  It appears that you have found a solution, I am interested.
  
  Is there a N. American source for belts?

• RoBoCop on 30th Nov 2004

  Max did produce a plinth and cover for the Rock 2 and it was pretty smart. As far as I can remember it had no real impact on the sound because the deck is so inert but it did keep dust off the revolving disk which is plus. I prefer the look of the deck without the cover (but that's simply a matter of taste) and use an oversized cake cover to keep the deck clean when not in use. Don't think that just because the dust cover on Sondek caused random colourations that the same thing applies to the Rock.

• saucychili on 12th Oct 2005

  I have an '86 Elite Rock MK 1, with a rega RB250 that has the stub mod and a goldring 1022, coupled with a copland CSA14 and Castle howard speakers.
  
  Result - you have to spend a lot more cash to beat it.
  
  All I have done to the Rock since 1986 is replace the belt once and reset and lubricate the bearings, fantastic turntable at any price.