Vieta G4000, making it easy to access vinyl

Let's be honest, everyone. My first moments with the Vieta G4000 can only be described as ridiculous. If I had been in front of an audience watching my every move, we would be talking about a viral video on social media due to my lack of skill and understanding of how it worked. And although it may seem silly, it's not. People who are in direct contact with high-end products take certain things or actions for granted... and they're not. We've become accustomed to them, even though they're not intuitive.

Unpacking it from its box and assembling it took a few minutes; it wasn't easy, but it wasn't that hard either. I connected it to the line amplifier, put the record on, and... I couldn't figure out how to start the turntable. I figured it out and the LP started spinning at 45 rpm. I looked for the right position on the motor to adjust the speed, but I couldn't find it. I took a deep breath and realized that I had to change my mindset. I had to put myself in the shoes of a new enthusiast, with no experience with high fidelity, who wants to enjoy their first vinyl records, or rediscover those that someone older had abandoned.

How easy everything becomes when you focus on the right thing!

Vieta

I would like to give a brief introduction to this legendary Spanish brand, which many of you may not be familiar with. Founded in 1954 in Barcelona (Spain), it focuses on consumer and residential audio.

Its founders, the Vieta brothers, Francisco and Eduardo (hence the name), together with Raimón Tort, initially distributed brands such as Bell, Altec, Garrad, and Tangberd in Spain, to name just a few. Their first creation was an integrated amplifier, the VIETA A-100, in 1957. Its code name was "El Oído de Oro" (The Golden Ear).

With direct contact through their representatives to the latest creations being made outside Spain, they created a line of omnidirectional speakers that brought them international fame, the Vieta L'Adagio, exhibited at the MOMA in New York in 1987. Between the initial launch and the MOMA exhibition, the word "success" was the one most often used to describe many of the high-fidelity products, including amplifiers, record players, tuners, and speakers. At a time when access to international products was not possible for most people living in Spain, VIETA was a dream come true.

We are talking about a product for the general public, not specialists, but people who want to experience high fidelity without too much difficulty. Its aesthetic is vintage. Nothing about its exterior makes you think it's a new product; it could be from the early 80s. Well, nothing is true. A blue LED light, used to link the audio output to a Bluetooth system, reminds you that we are talking about something new. This blue light reminds you that LEDs did not exist until the mid-1990s, so we have to fast forward a few years, and if we add the Bluetooth logo, we are much closer to the present day.

First of all, this is a semi-automatic turntable equipped with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C conical needle cartridge. When you move the tone arm to the vinyl, it starts playing. When it reaches the end of the track, it stops spinning. If you leave it in that position without interacting with it for a while, it automatically turns off.

The speed is controlled by a switch located on the lower left side of the turntable.

The connection to Bluetooth headphones or speakers is made via a button located on the upper left side, where many products have their START/STOP button, which caused me to waste some time. Once you understand how it works, connecting devices is child's play.

On the back, there is an RCA output and a switch, which allows you to choose between line output or phono output, if you have one and prefer to use it.

Finally, it should be noted that the philosophy behind this product is that it is a finished product, with no extras or gimmicks. It comes with cables, a dust cover, and felt. If you buy it, you can connect it to an amplifier or headphones and it will work right away.

As a curiosity, for reasons of space and organization, my first installation was through Technics AZ-80 in-ear headphones. Purists must be cutting their veins... or they stopped reading a long time ago, but it's another concept and letting yourself go with it isn't a bad thing.

Since we're talking about a basic, entry-level product, let me make a few notes for potential buyers.

• To maintain sound quality at the same level as on the first day, it is important to bear in mind that needle wear degrades sound quality. Based on the technical specifications of the needle, I recommend replacing it every 500 hours of use. They can last much longer, but there will be a significant loss of sound quality.
• If you do not plan to use it for an extended period of time, it is best to remove the transmission rubber from the turntable.
• Use a brush to clean the vinyl before each use.
• Check the needle for dirt and remove it very carefully.
• Balance the turntable when setting it up. It must be perfectly level.
• The counterweight on the arm should ensure that the tip is in contact with the vinyl, but without pressing down on it. When in operation, it should feel smooth and flexible.

When a product is well thought out and well finished, it fully meets the requirements for which it was designed. Bringing the analog world to a generation that is just starting out without complications, or providing a simple and economical solution to someone who just wants to remember their vinyl records. It performs both of these functions easily and well.

The product's sturdiness, its solid finish, and the fact that it doesn't feel "cheap" like some products in this price range make it highly recommendable. If I had to say something else, I'd say that I'm really surprised by the price, which is almost like a gift for what you get.

Vieta has done it again. Creating quality for a general audience and entry level. Congratulations.