Enova HIFI VELA MV2

A dark wood-coloured cabinet, lines borrowed from 1950s turntables and a black platter spinning beneath its protective cover: the VELA MV2 has the look of a vintage device. Its mechanism remains that of a belt-drive hi-fi turntable, with a factory-fitted Ortofon cartridge. The built-in preamp, Bluetooth reception and USB digitisation port make it easy to connect to a modern system.

A 1950s design on an 8.4 kg chassis

The dark wood-coloured finish and the cabinet’s lines echo the style of 1950s home turntables, with a 280 mm black steel platter covered by an included brown felt mat. The controls are limited to the essentials, with no menu or screen: on/off, speed selection between 33 ⅓ and 45 revolutions per minute, and Bluetooth activation. At 443 mm wide, 368 mm deep and 147 mm high, the turntable takes up the space of a conventional hi-fi component, and its 8.4 kg weight gives it a stable footing. The supplied cover keeps dust away from the platter and tonearm between listening sessions.

Ortofon OM 5E cartridge and adjustable tonearm

Playback relies on an Ortofon OM 5E, a moving magnet cartridge (MM, the most widespread type, compatible with all common phono inputs) fitted with an elliptical diamond stylus. Finer than a conical tip where it touches the groove walls, this profile follows the small undulations of the groove more closely and reproduces treble with greater precision. Its tracking ability of 65 µm at 315 Hz indicates the groove amplitude it can follow without mistracking, keeping heavily modulated passages such as a forceful bass drum or low organ notes under control. Its compliance of 20 µm/mN describes the flexibility of the suspension supporting the stylus.

The 218.5 mm tonearm has a counterweight used to adjust the tracking force, meaning the weight with which the stylus rests in the groove: too light, and the stylus mistracks; too heavy, and it accelerates wear on both the record and the stylus. Centripetal force compensation (anti-skating) counterbalances the tonearm’s natural tendency to slide towards the centre of the record during playback, preventing greater pressure on one groove wall than the other.

A built-in phono preamp with two settings

A cartridge produces a very weak signal, which must be amplified and equalised according to the RIAA curve before reaching an amplifier. This standard reduces bass and boosts treble when the record is cut, and inverse equalisation restores them during playback. The VELA MV2 incorporates this stage, known as a phono preamp, and its RCA output can be switched between two levels. In the line setting, the signal is already equalised and connects to any amplifier input (AUX, CD, line) or to active speakers with an RCA input. In the phono setting, the internal preamp is bypassed and the cartridge signal is sent unchanged to an amplifier’s phono input or an external preamp, leaving room for a system upgrade. The recommended load of 47 kΩ and 200 to 600 pF then corresponds to the standard settings of most MM inputs.

The mistake to avoid is connecting the line setting to a phono input: equalised twice, the signal arrives too loud, distorted and treble-heavy. The gold-plated rear sockets are recessed into the cabinet.

Bluetooth reception and USB digitisation

Bluetooth works here as a receiver: a phone or tablet pairs with the turntable and sends it music, which is output through the same RCA sockets as the vinyl. With an amplifier whose inputs are all occupied, the turntable then serves as a gateway to the smartphone’s playlists and streaming services, without an additional box.

The USB port connects the turntable to a computer using the supplied cable. The record’s signal reaches it in digital form, and audio recording software turns it into files, allowing you to archive a rare pressing or take your albums on the move. The quality of the copy depends directly on playback: a clean record and the correct tracking force produce a better file.

Wow, background noise and frequency response

The wow and flutter figure of 0.15% measures small variations in platter speed, which result in slightly unstable pitch on sustained sounds. This is a typical value for an entry-level belt-drive turntable: it goes unnoticed with most music, and an attentive ear is more likely to pick it up on a sustained piano or organ note. The signal-to-noise ratio of 68 dB places mechanical drive noise well below the music level, and the response of 20 to 20,000 Hz (+2/−3 dB) covers the entire audible range. Power is supplied through an included external 12 V transformer, which keeps mains power conversion away from the tonearm and cartridge.

Technical specifications

Design and drive

• High-fidelity belt-drive turntable.
• Retro design inspired by the 1950s.
• Finish: dark wood colour.
• 280 mm black steel platter.
• Two playback speeds: 33 ⅓ and 45 rpm.
• Controls: on / off, 33 / 45 rpm selection, Bluetooth activation.

Tonearm and cartridge

• Cartridge: Ortofon OM 5E.
• Connection for moving-magnet cartridge.
• Tonearm length: 218.5 mm.
• Anti-skating compensation.
• Adjustable stylus tracking force: 3.5 to 4.3 g.
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz: 65 μm.
• Lateral compliance: 20 μm/mN.
• Impedance: 750 Ω.
• Recommended load: 47 kΩ / 200 to 600 pF.

Audio performance

• Wow and flutter: 0.15%.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 68 dB.
• Frequency response: 20 to 20000 Hz, +2 / −3 dB.
• RIIA preamplifier with line / phono output level selection.

Connections and power supply

• Recessed gold-plated terminals.
• RCA output switchable between line / phono level.
• Bluetooth receiver for connecting a phone or tablet.
• USB port for digitising vinyl records.
• Power supply: 12 V DC.

Supplied accessories

• Centring spindle, counterweight, dust cover, USB cable, 12 V power transformer, 45 rpm adapter, brown felt protective mat.

Dimensions and weight

• Turntable dimensions (W × H × D): 443 × 147 × 368 mm.
• Turntable weight: 8.4 kg.