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DESCRIPTION
While the plinth is non-resonant and doesn’t store (and release) energy, it is still worth placing the turnta-
ble on a dedicated platform. Among others we recommend Stillpoints vibration management components
for non suspended or Minus K for suspended platforms.
THE ARMBASE
The armbase is precision turned and milled from the same aircraft grade aluminum as the platter. It allows
mounting nearly all tonearms with an effective length between 220mm and 260mm.
The pivot to spindle distance can be altered by turning the base after loosening all three mounting screws.
This way, a single mounting hole can be used for several tonearms. Tonearms that do not have any provi-
sion to adjust overhang (like old Ortofon tonearm/SPU cartridge combinations) can now be adjusted
precisely by changing the pivot to spindle distance as required.
THE LID
There is no lid since its use during replay would compromise the sound. A high quality, non hinged acrylic
dust cover is available on request.
THE DRIVE SYSTEM
This turntable is driven by an extremely high quality Swiss DC Motor for a combination of high torque
and smooth rotation, transferring power via 1/4" magnetic tape to the outer rim of the platter. Unlike other
turntables featuring a form of tape (or just belt) drive, the tape is routed past a tensioning lever/pulley
to reduce slippage to zero and minimize the side thrust on the platter greatly. Residual motor vibrations
cannot reach the platter directly, but are absorbed by the suspended pulley.
Through the use of a non-compliant “belt”, namely polyester magnetic tape, the motor is coupled much
more directly to the platter compared to conventional, elastic belt driven turntables, without an increase in
transmitted noise.
Wow and flutter is well below audibility, certainly on par with the best direct drive designs.
The motor works against a defined drag, comprised of the frictional losses in the bearing and further losses
caused by a magnetic eddy current brake, situated below the platter. Friction losses due to stylus drag are
minimal compared to the above “built in” system losses and won’t cause smeared dynamics, “congested”
reproduction of complex signals, or low frequency speed variations (wow).
THE MOTOR CONTROLLER
The turntable motor is driven by a special regulated motor controller that compensates for losses in the
motor, thus stabilizing the turntable speed against changes in loading, such as occurs when loud and soft
passages are played on a record. The power supply in the controller is fully regulated, making it immune
to power line variations. It also has built-in short-circuit protection in case the wiring or motor develops a
short-circuit.
An ideal DC motor, with no internal losses, if fed from a perfect voltage source will keep its speed constant
with varying mechanical load. Resistive losses in real-world motors cause the speed to drop as the load
increases. By sensing the motor current and applying a precise amount of positive current feedback (i.e.
making the drive voltage increase as the current increases), the losses can be cancelled, resulting in much
better speed stability of the motor under different load conditions. This motor controller design was
