Agnew analog system
Moderators: piaptk, tragwag, Steve E., Aussie0zborn
Agnew analog system
Hi all,
I going in thoughts about buying a lathe from Agnew Analog, not just the head, motor or other. The whole complete system.
I have been in contact with Sillitoe as well ant their machine seems comparable to the Agnew Analog lathe.
The purpose is to cut lacquers. I have been cutting for 5 years with my VR and thinking about expanding my business.
Do anyone have any recommendations or thoughts about this?
Best // Torkild
I going in thoughts about buying a lathe from Agnew Analog, not just the head, motor or other. The whole complete system.
I have been in contact with Sillitoe as well ant their machine seems comparable to the Agnew Analog lathe.
The purpose is to cut lacquers. I have been cutting for 5 years with my VR and thinking about expanding my business.
Do anyone have any recommendations or thoughts about this?
Best // Torkild
Re: Agnew analog system
both are without a doubt VERY high quality systems.
Just judging by aesthetics
I would relate the Agnew system more closely with the Scully lathes - classic, heavy, hand built and modular.
The Sillitoe I would relate closer to the Neumann lathes - state of the art, new tech, plug and play.
they are obviously both extremely high quality, tested machines, with years if not decades of work put into them.
You can't go wrong with either, I'm just going by personality and focus, having taken in only the public posts/samples of each.
*addition for clarity*
I haven't had the chance to see either of these systems in person, and have only seen/heard what's available here on the forum, or on the socials of each builder.
my comments weren't meant to exclude or downplay any other cutting system or builder, just to translate what I gathered to be the build philosophies of these two builders into terms the cutting community was familiar with. (I realize now that I invoked the mt rushmore of cutting companies, Neumann and Scully )
Just judging by aesthetics
I would relate the Agnew system more closely with the Scully lathes - classic, heavy, hand built and modular.
The Sillitoe I would relate closer to the Neumann lathes - state of the art, new tech, plug and play.
they are obviously both extremely high quality, tested machines, with years if not decades of work put into them.
You can't go wrong with either, I'm just going by personality and focus, having taken in only the public posts/samples of each.
*addition for clarity*
I haven't had the chance to see either of these systems in person, and have only seen/heard what's available here on the forum, or on the socials of each builder.
my comments weren't meant to exclude or downplay any other cutting system or builder, just to translate what I gathered to be the build philosophies of these two builders into terms the cutting community was familiar with. (I realize now that I invoked the mt rushmore of cutting companies, Neumann and Scully )
making lathe cuts on a Presto 6N, HIFI stereo cuts on vinylrecorder
at Audio Geography Studios, Providence, RI USA
http://www.audiogeography.com
at Audio Geography Studios, Providence, RI USA
http://www.audiogeography.com
Re: Agnew analog system
i think its very easy to find out.
this should maybe go to a general buyers guide for cutting equipment.
just send in a few music samples and ask for a cut on the actual particular machine that you are looking to buy.
any serious seller, will cut it and send it for reasonable amount of money.
pay for the sample disk and persist that you receive a real cut not only to get a digital rip.
(we always did that for kingston dubplate cutter before people wanted to buy. one side on the cutter. other side on neumann vms80
and we refunded the price if people bought the machine later)
then go to some state of the art cutting room in your area.
(for easy search, i suggest almost any cutting room in berlin is technically where it can be)
and cut the same.
then go home and listen and think how much you would spend for what you get.
if you dont have the sample cut on your turntable dont buy it.
this should get you a good feeling of what you can get, as it is.
hard to judge sound on fancy renderings, pictures and testimonials of non existing gear.
also think about after buying service. what are the conditions for service, repair, support, upgrade possibilities etc.
in case you dont find what you need. dont rush .you gonna spend a lot of money ,
check the 2nd hand market, check alternatives, talk to people who cut, spend some more money on sample cuts.
happy cutting. f.
this should maybe go to a general buyers guide for cutting equipment.
just send in a few music samples and ask for a cut on the actual particular machine that you are looking to buy.
any serious seller, will cut it and send it for reasonable amount of money.
pay for the sample disk and persist that you receive a real cut not only to get a digital rip.
(we always did that for kingston dubplate cutter before people wanted to buy. one side on the cutter. other side on neumann vms80
and we refunded the price if people bought the machine later)
then go to some state of the art cutting room in your area.
(for easy search, i suggest almost any cutting room in berlin is technically where it can be)
and cut the same.
then go home and listen and think how much you would spend for what you get.
if you dont have the sample cut on your turntable dont buy it.
this should get you a good feeling of what you can get, as it is.
hard to judge sound on fancy renderings, pictures and testimonials of non existing gear.
also think about after buying service. what are the conditions for service, repair, support, upgrade possibilities etc.
in case you dont find what you need. dont rush .you gonna spend a lot of money ,
check the 2nd hand market, check alternatives, talk to people who cut, spend some more money on sample cuts.
happy cutting. f.
Re: Agnew analog system
Thank you for that both Tragwag and Flozki, this will help me on my path. I'll get back with more questions when they appear.
Best / T
Best / T
- daristiguieta1
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2023 5:25 pm
Re: Agnew analog system
Out of curiosity, how much are they quoting for a full Agnew system? Ballpark?
- trailerparkjesus
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:55 pm
Re: Agnew analog system
Tyler and Flo both nailed it. It's a lot of money and it will be more than expected even after buying a system. Also consider ROI, lathe cuts are easy to sell and are still in demand. Lacquer mastering on the other hand is completely different and much harder to break into unless you have your own plant, a strong relationship with one, or a successful digital mastering business that has demand for cutting. Don't let that discourage you but paying down $100k+ with a couple orders here and there is not the best business decision. If disc cutting is your love, then it is worth it! Otherwise, investing $100k into something that is proven to pay you back and more is wiser. Love vs business. Sometimes both come together.
- trailerparkjesus
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:55 pm
Re: Agnew analog system
Oh ya and don't forget about an AM44!