Roksan Audio TMS 3 User manual

ROKSAN AUDIO LIMITED 6 NORTHFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
BERESFORD AVENUE ALPERTON MIDDLESEX HA0 1NW ENGLAND
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Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 2 of 27 ENGLISH
Congratulations on becoming a TMS Series 3 owner. Your TMS 3 is constructed to the finest specification and it
is designed to provide enjoyment and insight to recorded music on vinyl like never before. The unparalleled
precision, absolute detail, emotional and musical performance of the TMS 3 sets the standard for all record
playing systems. Correct setup and installation of the TMS 3 and its partnering equipment is essential to the
overall performance of the entire system.
Please read the contents of this manual thoroughly. It will help you to understand your TMS Series 3 better and
enhance your musical experience.
This manual is divided into the following sections:
•Introduction
•Unpacking
•Caution
•Design
•Setup Summary
•Setup Diagrams
•Installation
•Operation
•Troubleshooting
•Guarantee
•Specifications
•Notes
UNPACKING
Included in the packing of your TMS 3 Record Player you will find:
•One TMS 3 Inner Platter
•One TMS 3 Outer Platter
•One TMS Drive Belt
•One TMS Spindle Cap
•One Vial of Roksan TT oil + Cotton Buds & lint free tissue
•One pair of Cotton Gloves
•One TMS 3 Dust Cover, Dust Cover Rests, Rmat-5 & Rmat-5 retaining ‘O’ring
•Set of Allen Keys (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 & 5.0mm A/F) & Spirit level
•Set of TMS 3 Setup Feet
•Set of TMS 3 Adjustable Spike feet, Lock Nuts and Foot Bases
•One RCA output Grounding wire
•One ROK-DC1 Power lead
•One information pack and warranty card
After removing these items please retain all packing materials. Correct packing is necessary for future
transportation of your TMS 3 Record Player.
MAINTENANCE
After switching the amplifier off and placing the stylus guard on, the record player may be cleaned with a lightly
dampened soft cloth or a soft brush.
Avoid using abrasives or solvents.
*
** ** * T Ta ak ke e c ca ar re e n no ot t t to o d da am ma ag ge e t th he e c ca ar rt tr ri id dg ge e s st ty yl lu us s o or r t th he e T To on ne ea ar rm m. .
•The Main Bearing requires recharging with oil every 12 months. SEE BELOW
•The Drive belt requires cleaning with a wax based furniture polish every 12 months. SEE BELOW
INTRODUCTION
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Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 3 of 27 ENGLISH
UNPACKING
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ACCESSORIES
IMPORTANT PROTECTION FOAM
IMPORTANT PROTECTION FOAM
Careful not to
damage the
pulley

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 4 of 27 ENGLISH
1 2 3
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RECORD PLAYER Plinth Protection
Remove Refit
1, 2, 3 Front Plinth Protection Packing Foam 1st 5
th
4, 5 Side Plinth Protection Packing Foam 2nd 4
th
6, 7 Rear Plinth Packing Cards 3rd 3
rd
8, 9, 10 Plinth Protection Packing Rubber Pad 4th 2
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11, 12, 13 Pillar Protection Packing Rubber Pad 5th 1
st

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 5 of 27 ENGLISH
The TMS 3 Record Player incorporates many new, unique design features and manufacturing techniques. It is
important to observe the following to avoid any damage and to ensure optimum performance.
T Th he e S St tr ru uc ct tu ur re e
TMS 3 has four separate plinths used for decoupling across a selective frequency band.
1. The bottom plinth is grounded to the supporting surface via three specially designed stainless
steel/Tungsten Carbide adjustable spike feet and bases. This plinth houses the super XPS Roksan motor
supply/speed controller, TMS 3 precision motor assembly and the ‘supple’ Tonearm DIN connector sytem.
2. There is a 3 level adjustable and progressive decoupling from the bottom plinth to the top plinth. The top
plinth features the familiar cut-out, first seen on the original Xerxes, that follows the contour of the sub-
plinth without touching it and supports the middle plinth.
3. The middle plinth supports the sub-plinth through a 3 level decoupling and hangs from the top plinth via a
set of 3 tension decouplers connected to the top plinth through Acetal support inserts.
4. The sub-plinth carries the main bearing/platter assembly and the tonearm and is designed as a reference
platform to preserve the record/cartridge interface from unwanted disturbances. It has been computer
modelled using finite element analysis to determine the optimum shape and of coupling of this platform to
the plinth.
The sub, top, middle and the bottom plinths are designed and manufactured from specific density MDF Piano
lacquered to provide the required rigidity/mass for the sub-plinth support structure. The Bottom plinth utilises two
Stainless steel & Brass Vibration absorbers to ensure maximum signal to noise ratio.
The motor is free to pivot on its own bearing on an axis of rotation coincident with the shaft of the motor. With this
unique dynamic system transient speed changes are absorbed and do not affect the measuring platform.
The arm board, which provides another level of isolation, is machined from a billet of Acetal with complimentary
damping between the tonearm and the sub-plinth. The detachable arm board is fixed by three stainless steel
bolts for easy tonearm mounting and adjustment.
T Th he e B Be ea ar ri in ng g / / P Pl la at tt te er r A As ss se em mb bl ly y
At the heart of TMS 3 is Roksan’s unique and formidable self-centering, self-aligning true single point main
bearing. The innovative design of this bearing provides almost silent, frictionless rotation, precisely defining the
rotational axis. The bearing sleeve is gun-drilled from solid phosphor bronze and honed to provide
spindle/bearing sleeve gap of 2/10,000” along its length! The only contact is between the polished spindle tip and
the captive hardness matched Tungsten Carbide super precision ball.
The spindle is made to within 1 micron from super precision Tungsten Carbide with a taper that locates into the
inner platter without the use of adhesive or the need for pressing.
DESIGN
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CAUTION
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IMPORTANT
DO NOT attempt to run the record player without Main Bearing Oil
Careful when placing the Inner Platter
Careful when placing the Outer Platter onto the Inner Platter (Outer Platter should not hit
the Motor Pulley or drop onto the Inner Platter)

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 6 of 27 ENGLISH
The inner and outer platters are both machined from solid aluminium alloy instead of normal castings to ensure
the material is homogeneous. Each complete platter is constructed of two parts that are ‘friction’ fitted together.
Each part is designed as a tuning fork and hence it’s free from any nonlinearity. Their natural frequencies are
linearly damped, as these two parts are joined together by friction only. The platters are machined to extremely
high tolerances to ensure roundness and balance. Required inertia for a smooth and constant angular speed is
achieved through high peripheral distribution of mass. This maximizes inertia to mass ratio and reduces undue
pressure on the bearing contact point. It is this level of attention to detail throughout the design that ensures
musical integrity.

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 7 of 27 ENGLISH
P Pl la ac ci in ng g t th he e T TM MS S 3 3
Prepare a level surface using the spirit level to place the TMS 3 on (‘absolute’ level is not critical as long as the
surface is reasonably level). If you wish to use a dedicated equipment support, ensure that you get a ‘vertically’
rigid table. For best results the equipment support should sit rigid and level on a solid floor and the surface
should be non-resonant. For the wall mounted turntable support, ensure the same.
R Re em mo ov vi in ng g t th he e M Mo ot to or r T Tr ra an ns si it t S Sc cr re ew w
This screw prevents the precision motor and its bearing mount assembly from being damaged in transit. Undo
and remove this screw from the transit pillar to release the motor body. With the screw in place the motor spring
is in tension so be careful as the motor will rotate back to its normal operating position. Keep the motor transit
screw safe in the packaging for future use. *** DO NOT PULL THE MOTOR UP OUT OF ITS BEARING ***
P Pr re ep pa ar ri in ng g t th he e M Ma ai in n B Be ea ar ri in ng g
Remove the rubber plug on the main bearing. Gently push the cotton bud down to the bottom of the bearing
housing gently rotating and pressing down (Careful not to have the cotton tip detach from the stick and get stuck
in the main bearing). The cotton bud should now have a recess in its tip to indicate the presence of the super
precision ball bearing at the bottom of the housing (See figure below). From the small vial of oil, pour 4 to 5 drops
of oil into the bearing housing. Always replace the plug, to keep the bearing housing clean, if you are not fitting
the inner platter immediately.
P Pl la ac ci in ng g t th he e I In nn ne er r P Pl la at tt te er r
Remove the inner platter/spindle assembly from the packaging. Careful not to damage the inner platter or the
spindle while handling them.
Wipe the spindle with the soft lint-free tissue supplied.
Remove the plug from the bearing and carefully guide the spindle into the main bearing hole. Gently spin the
inner platter. The platter will slowly sink over a period of about ten to twenty minutes. Do not force the platter
down. The spindle is factory fitted to ensure that the inner platter runs true. Take extra care not to knock the
spindle. *** CAREFUL NOT PULL, PUSH OR BEND THE SPINDLE ***
You can check that the inner platter has settled by gently raising and lowering the spindle by about 3mm. You
should hear a quiet metallic click as it touches the ball bearing. NOTE: Do not lift and drop the inner platter as
this may cause permanent damage to the spindle tip and the ball. When there is sufficient oil in the bearing, a
ridge of oil will be visible around the spindle just at the top of the bearing housing.
If you do not see a ridge, use one or two more drops of oil.
F Fi it tt ti in ng g t th he e B Be el lt t
The belt should be cleaned & wiped before fitting with a non-alcohol, wax based furniture polish (such as
Johnson’s Pledge). The belt can then be fitted around the inner platter and motor pulley. Turn the inner platter by
hand a couple of revolutions and the belt will come to rest in its correct operation position.
SETUP SUMMARY
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NOTE: For best results use the TMS 3 (version) Upgrade Plinth
IMPORTANT: Always use ROKSAN supplied Main Bearing Oil

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 8 of 27 ENGLISH
F Fi it tt ti in ng g t th he e T To on ne ea ar rm m
You will need to follow the tonearm manufacturer’s instructions as most tonearms differ slightly in their methods
of fixing and set-up.
C Co on nn ne ec ct ti in ng g t to o t th he e T To on ne ea ar rm m
The TMS 3 is fitted with a high quality 5-pin tonearm connector, a pair of gold plated RCA phono sockets and a
‘ground’ terminal and wire. If the tonearm fitted has a standard 5- pin type arm connection, then simply plug the
connector into the arm and use a pair of analogue interconnects between the TMS 3 and your phono input. The
‘ground’ wire connects as standard. If the tonearm uses a non-standard arm cable connector, then you must
remove the RCA/5-pin connector assembly and fit the manufacturer’s tonearm cable. This must be fixed securely
to the bottom plinth using cable ties (See figure). It is important that the arm cable is ‘loose/free’ between the arm
and the plinth. Otherwise it will restrict the movement of the sub-plinth/arm-board and interfere with the
decoupling and isolation of the TMS 3.
F Fi it tt ti in ng g t th he e o ou ut te er r p pl la at tt te er r
Remove the outer platter from the packaging. Gently place the outer platter on the inner platter; the recess on the
inside locates onto the plate of the inner platter. Take care not drop the outer platter on the inner platter or hit the
motor pulley with the rim of the outer platter.
F Fi it tt ti in ng g t th he e M Ma at t
The TMS 3 is supplied with the Roksan Rmat-5 which is designed to provide optimum contact between the
record and the platter assembly. It fits over the main bearing spindle in the centre and rests uniformly over the
platter surface. Use the Rmat-5 retaining ‘O’ring and gently push it onto the spindle to secure the mat. This will
stop the mat ‘sticking’ to the record while changing record/sides.
T Th he e C Ce en nt tr re e P Pi ie ec ce e ( (S Sp pi in nd dl le e C Ca ap p) )
Roksan introduced this unique removable centre piece with the original Xerxes. Slide the centre piece over the
bearing spindle to assist placing the record centrally on the mat. Before playing the record, the centre piece can
be removed to eliminate any direct mechanical contact between the record and the main bearing spindle. The
only contact would be through the mat and the stylus. *** DO NOT USE RECORD CLAMPS ***
C Co on nn ne ec ct ti in ng g t th he e P Po ow we er r S Su up pp pl ly y
Roksan dedicated DC power supply (e.g. DX2/DS1.5) is connected to the rear of the turntable using the ROK-
DC1 power lead. Always connect the power supply before switching it on.
O Op pe er ra at ti io on n
Switch on the dedicated DC power supply and press the right hand (on/standby) switch on the TMS 3 front panel.
The platter should start turning. Place the record on the mat ensuring the centre piece is in place. When the
record is on the platter remove the centre piece and place it in spindle cap rest on the top plinth.
IMPORTANT: Use of any clamp directly connects the vinyl to the structure and allows
unwanted ‘noise’ to be immediately present in the vinyl and thus ‘picked up’ by the
cartridge.
Do not use any record weights as this may permanently damage the Main Bearing.

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 9 of 27 ENGLISH
SETUP DIAGRAMS
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Fitting the Set-up Feet
1 Prepare a clean strong level surface to work on
2 Remove the Set-up Feet from the packaging
3 Carefully rest the TMS3 on its front on a clean and
soft cloth. Support the Sub-plinth while doing this.
4 Locate inserts (1, 2 & 3) and carefully screw the
Set-up Feet on as shown
LEVEL
TMS3
PACKAGING
1
2 3
TMS3
UNDERSIDE

Roksan Audio ltd TMS 3 Record Player User Manual
General Use
Version 2.00
All specifications are liable to change without notice. E&OE Page 10 of 27 ENGLISH
* Due to very tight tolerances the
Inner Platter will take some time to
settle down
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Fitting the Inner Platter
1 Pull out the Main Bearing Plug and place it in the Oil Vial bag
2 Carefully clean the Main Bearing with one of the Cotton Buds
and check that there is a ball impression on the tip
3 Remove the oil vial cap and charge the Main Bearing with 4to 5
drops of Roksan supplied Oil
4 Wear the cotton gloves and remove the Inner Platter from its
bag: use the Lint Free Tissue and gently clean the Inner Platter
Spindle free from any dirt
5 Gently place the Inner Platter Spindle into the Main Bearing and
allow it to settle down *