The beautiful Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 Turntable

Mar 29

A First Look at the Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 Turntable

A month ago, I introduced several exciting audio products in my video titled System Update, previewing upcoming reviews for both Pressing Matters and Audiophilia, the online journal for serious audiophiles. One of the standout pieces featured was the Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 turntable—a truly stunning machine that I’ve now had in-house for a month. Today, I want to share my initial thoughts on its design, ease of setup, and sonic performance.

A Legacy of Excellence

Perpetuum Ebner (PE) may not be a household name among modern audiophiles, but the company’s roots stretch back to 1911, when it was first established in Germany’s Black Forest region. Over the decades, PE underwent several significant mergers, including one with Ebner (hence the combined name) and another with Dual in the 1970s. Many will recognize the Dual brand from that era, and countless turntables from that time are still spinning records today.

Currently, Perpetuum Ebner produces five turntable models, four of which are belt-driven. The PE 6060 sits at the top of the belt-drive range, just below the direct-drive PE 7070.

Aesthetic Beauty

When I first saw images of the PE lineup, I was immediately drawn to the models featuring black and wood finishes. Angie Lisi of American Sound, PE’s North American distributor, kindly provided the PE 6060 for review, and I couldn’t be happier with the choice. The plinth’s darker wood and black finish exude timeless elegance. Photos simply do not do it justice—seeing it in person, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. Every visitor to my listening room has commented on its sheer beauty.

Effortless Setup

One of the PE 6060’s most appealing aspects is its straightforward setup process. If you dislike the hassle of cartridge alignment and tonearm adjustments, this turntable is a dream come true. The instructions are clear and precise, making setup an intuitive and hassle-free experience.

Here’s how easy it is:

Leveling: The turntable rests on three adjustable feet, making leveling simpler than the four-footed designs of many competitors. First, level the plinth, then level the platter for optimal performance.
Suspension Release: Three transport screws must be removed before use, allowing the suspension system to function freely. Once removed, the bearing and tonearm pillar move in unison, completely independent of the plinth.
Platter and Belt Installation: The sub-platter drops into an oilless bearing, and the ribbon-style belt loops around the pulley with ease. A couple of rotations settle it into place.
Pre-Mounted Components: The PE 6060 arrives with a pre-mounted PE 2018 tonearm in a sleek black carbon fiber finish, along with an Ortofon Quintet Black S cartridge featuring a nude Shibata stylus. I had my technician, Oswaldo Martinez of Let There Be Sound, verify the factory setup, and he confirmed it was spot-on—no adjustments necessary.

Precision Performance

The PE 6060 offers remarkable precision in operation. In fact, when I first turned it on, I had to double-check that it was spinning—the motion is so smooth and silent that it’s practically imperceptible from the side.

A few additional features stand out:

Fine-Tuned Speed Control: While initial testing with a stroboscope disc showed a slight deviation, the PE 6060 includes built-in adjustments for both 33⅓ and 45 RPM speeds. This level of control is typically found in more advanced external speed controllers, so it’s impressive to see it integrated here.
Anti-Skate and Tonearm Adjustments: While anti-skate is factory-set, users can fine-tune it via a simple dial. Tonearm height is also adjustable, though it arrives pre-set for most users’ needs.
Superior Cabling: The included RCA cable features an embedded ground wire within its woven sheath, eliminating hum and buzz. The noise floor is practically non-existent, with only the faintest hiss detectable when pressing an ear directly to the speaker.

First Impressions of the Sound

A turntable this meticulously crafted should deliver an equally impressive sonic performance—and the PE 6060 does not disappoint. Over the past month, I’ve tested it with classical, jazz, and rock, and in every case, it has provided an engaging, highly detailed listening experience. Compared to my reference setup, the PE 6060 holds its own and, in some aspects, even surpasses it.

For the initial listening tests, my VPI Scout was equipped with the Hana ML cartridge. However, two weeks into my evaluation, I upgraded the Scout with the $4,000 Phasemation PP-500 cartridge, making direct comparisons less relevant for the time being. That said, I’m looking forward to pitting these two excellent turntables against each other in the future.

Final Thoughts

From its effortless setup to its stunning design and top-tier sound quality, the Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 is shaping up to be a standout contender in the high-end turntable market. It offers a balance of convenience and precision that few competitors can match, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles who want premium performance without the headaches of complex setup and calibration.

Stay tuned for a full review once I’ve spent more time exploring its capabilities. But for now, I can confidently say that every time I look at the PE 6060, I’m in love—and every time I listen to it, I’m even more impressed.

Scott Wilson