Turntables — J.Sikora INITIAL WHITE

The Initial White is the entry turntable of J.Sikora, a Polish maker from Lublin, finished in white instead of the silver or black of the regular Initial Line. Beneath the paint it keeps the same aluminium, stainless steel and cast iron construction, the same Delrin platter and the same single DC motor. The Initial platform first appeared in 2016 at the Warsaw Audio Video Show, and the standard version was then priced at EUR 6,000 without tonearm or cartridge. Janusz Sikora, who founded the company in 2007, based its designs on his experience in metallurgy.

Key specs that matter

The deck weighs 28 kg and measures 440 x 330 x 160 mm. Its 4 kg platter is machined from Delrin, a polyoxymethylene material that J.Sikora also uses in its heavier models, and it runs at 33 or 45 rpm. A single DC motor provides the drive, and the inverted main bearing turns on a ceramic ball. A single tonearm is fitted on a removable armboard. The record clamp, glass mat and upgraded power supply are optional extras rather than standard equipment.

Engineering and use context

The base is a thick aluminium slab with specific cut-outs, a solution chosen to reduce cost while keeping its vibration damping. The motor sits apart in a heavy, rigid metal housing resting on four silicone pads, and it passes torque to the platter by two belts. Speed is set from a separate metal controller box with a display and five push-buttons, used both to switch between 33 and 45 rpm and to trim the speed finely. The deck stands on aluminium feet, each with a small cavity holding a ceramic ball, and each ball rests in a matching cavity in an aluminium pad, which gives a point contact with the supporting surface. Optional add-ons listed for the standard Initial were a glass mat at EUR 160, a clamp at EUR 550 and an improved power supply at EUR 550. J.Sikora's basic power supply accepts 230 V or 115 V mains, delivers 24 V to the motor and comes in a 100 x 100 x 190 mm case. Production is carried out one deck at a time.

Pairing

J.Sikora designed the Initial around Kuzma tonearms and supplies custom armboards for other arms on request. The company's own KV12 unipivot arm is also listed in a white lacquer finish. With one arm position, the deck is set up for a single cartridge at a time.

Alternatives

The J.Sikora Initial Max White keeps the white finish but brings twin motors, an added lower plinth and room for two tonearms, for a total of 51 kg.