Origin Live

Overview

Origin Live is a UK-based manufacturer of high-fidelity audio equipment, specializing in turntables, tonearms, and related upgrades. The company designs and produces products in-house in Southampton, exporting to over 40 countries, and focuses on high-performance analog audio components.¹²³

History

Origin Live was founded by Mark Baker, a former naval architect and audio enthusiast, in 1986 as Cable Design, initially producing solid-core hi-fi cables from a garage. The company rebranded to Origin Live in 1987, expanded into equipment supports, platforms, speaker stands, and began turntable production in 1991, with key milestones including award-winning products like the Skyline Platform in 1989 and Silver Tonearm in 2002. It incorporated as Origin Live Limited in 2006 and has grown into a respected British hi-fi manufacturer with its own factory using CNC machines.¹²

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are designed and manufactured in-house at the company's factory in Southampton, UK, using modern CNC machines and trained staff. This approach supports innovation and quality control.²³

Notable Products

• Silver Tonearm MK1 - Launched in 2002, acclaimed as a top-performing tonearm design.
• Skyline Platform - Award-winning isolation platform from 1989.
• Conquest Mk4 Turntable - Flagship belt-drive turntable for high-end analog playback.
• Origin Live Speaker Stands - Group test winner in Hi-Fi Choice in 1990.
• DC Motor Upgrade Kit - Early upgrade for turntable motors starting in 1993.

Reputation

Origin Live is regarded by hi-fi enthusiasts for its innovative analog products, sound quality, and value, with a history of awards and exports to over 40 countries. Professionals note its distinctive engineering from a small UK firm persisting over four decades in record replay. Some view it as niche compared to larger brands like Rega, but respected for ambitious high-end offerings.²⁷