Press reviews

The Raven GT2 Basic and 9.5 tonearm are currently probably the most affordable entry into the world of high-end turntables. No other turntable in this class delivers such dynamic, emotional, and spacious sound.

It enabled the cartridge to achieve a spatiality that never became diffuse and a realistic tonality across the entire frequency range. The reproduction of powerful impulses and dynamic musical passages brought a satisfied grin to my face. Weather Report, with its multi-layered keyboard sounds and driving bass and drum rhythms, became an audiophile feast. Thanks to the 9.5, the cartridge managed to present a clear and well-defined sound image even under such complex demands.

With the Raven Black Night, Thomas Woschnik has created his definitive turntable. Built to last, it boasts a timeless design developed from function, exceptional practicality, and acoustic authority. The sound can be determined by the choice of cartridge; the turntable itself remains tonally neutral, providing a perfect foundation for the very best. Categorizing it within the sonic landscape is challenging, as the Black Night seems to unite all opposing characteristics. One could call it neutral, but somehow that doesn't quite capture it. A new dimension, representing the sheer enjoyment factor, would have to be added.

There's really nothing I musically miss with this turntable. Of course, the Raven "Black Night" is the even better turntable, but it's not just my editor-in-chief (owner of a "Black Night"!) who says: "If you don't hear the players side-by-side, you won't miss a thing. The musicality of TW Acoustic players is always outstanding, even with the smaller models!" I generally like to disagree, but in this case, I simply can't. I find it hard to believe that any significant improvements over the Raven LS are still possible.

With the new LS, TW Acustic has scored a resounding success. Combined with high-quality tonearms and cartridges, this superbly crafted mass-loaded turntable impresses with its exceptional finesse in all areas and a pronounced musicality within a high-end aura.

It's great that TW-Acustic isn't participating in the current "higher, faster, further" madness sweeping the hi-fi scene – especially when it comes to price. With the GT2 and the 10.5, Thomas Woschnick has created an exceptionally coherent and perfectly homogeneous turntable/tonearm combination that delivers a very high level of sound quality. Even the most discerning analog enthusiasts should be happy with it for decades to come.

Conclusion: The TW Acustic Raven 12 clearly packs a punch – as elegant, perfect, minimalist, and, in the best sense of the word, understated as it appears visually, its musical performance is equally impressive. Furthermore, the Raven 12 is completely user-friendly and gives the impression that it will effortlessly withstand numerous turntable and cartridge changes over the decades (largely sparing the owner's sanity during installation). At the same time, with this turntable, you can be sure that you have more or less permanently eliminated at least one potential source of error in your turntable chain.

Eventually, you'll want those two additional motors, I promise. Even though the Raven LS is already an incredibly stable and expansive-sounding platform for tonearms and cartridges of every shape and color "on its own." Turntable design at its limit!

There's not much more for me to say, except that the TW Acustic Raven GT2 has completely captivated me. Some manufacturers certainly won't like hearing this, but Thomas Woschnick's "entry-level" turntable picks up where many so-called reference drives reach their limits. I'm forced to let the hard facts speak for themselves: the Dais will have to go. Whether the GT2 will ultimately replace my Nottingham Analogue remains to be seen, but it's definitely one of three candidates I'm considering. The other two turntables I'm eyeing cost two and a half and three times, respectively, as much as the TW Acustic. I think that says it all.

At €6,800, the Raven GT is certainly not a bargain, but it's still a relatively affordable entry into the world of high-end turntables. Timing, spatial depth, rhythm – this turntable from Herne delivers it all perfectly.

Given its outstanding sound quality, exceptional build quality, and extremely sophisticated height adjustment, the admittedly high price of the TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 is more than justified. And it's as beautiful to look at as the legendary TV stallion, too.

TW Acustic continues with its tonearm where its turntables left off: at a world-class level. The Raven 10.5 provides an exceptionally stable base for any standard cartridge, resulting in a very wide bandwidth and dynamic sound reproduction.

The Raven.5 provides a rock-solid foundation even for demanding tonearm/cartridge combinations. However, these promising future prospects shouldn't obscure the fact that the Raven.5, Jelco, and Denon 103 already offer a wealth of vinyl enjoyment. For me, this trio is a real hidden gem!

Considering that the "regular" Raven AC is already among the best turntables on the market, it's surprising that TW has managed to raise the bar even further. The Black Night performs with such authority and vividness that the number of serious competitors is likely minimal.

Considering that the "regular" Raven AC is already among the best turntables on the market, it's surprising that TW has managed to raise the bar even further. The Black Night performs with such authority and vividness that the number of serious competitors is likely minimal.

The path to analog paradise has become somewhat more affordable. I have rarely experienced a turntable that offers a level of quality at this price point that puts far more expensive competitors in serious jeopardy.

This beautiful,superbly crafted, copper topped, three motor`table from Germany`s Thomas Woschnick ( the TW of TW Acustic) has garnered rave reviews worldwide. It surely deserves them as it reproduced the duration of musical notes - from starting transientto steady-state tone to decay - with grweater completeness and resolution than anything else I`ve yet heard. The result is astonishingly beautiful (and lifelike) reproduction of timbre and dynamic nuance.

Here's a company to watch. Whether you're Looking at the fully tricked-out, three motor, $18,000 Raven AC3 (see JV's review in Issue 180) or this entry-level model, TW Acustic turntables are exeptionally musical, detailed, beautifully made, and of high value. Sharing much of the AC-3's technology from the high-torque microprocessor-controlled, quartz-referenced DC motor to the specially formulated composite plinth material to the bearing assembley, and beyond the Raven One is the best high-end turntable value I know of.

Mission accomplished. The little Raven plays practically as vividly and in high resolution as its big brothers, putting their price-performance ratio in a whole new light.