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TW
Acustic
Black Night Turntable
The Raven Black
Night is our reference turntable. Naturally, the experience gained
over the last few years stood us in good stead for developing the
Black Night, yet despite drawing on these experiences, the Black
Night also incorporates many innovative features not seen before
in this form. The Raven Black Night is a truly monumental turntable,
as its sheer size and weight testify. Despite this, thanks to the
proportions, colour and choice of materials, the design remains
pleasing and harmonious.
In developing the Black Night, our aim was to build a turntable
that could top even our own Raven AC in terms of subtlety, ease
and silence. In this we have succeeded, and the results are seriously
impressive. The Black Night portrays the music's every detail with
subtlety and stereo depth, whether it be human voice or instruments.
Everywhere, you'll discover nuances that had previously remained
hidden. Attack and decay of transient notes are reproduced impressively.
Thanks to the three-motor drive and the battery power supply, the
Raven Black Night does its job with poise, serenity and composure,
yet just like the other TW-Acustic turntables, it is highly dynamic,
involving and rich in timbre. The Raven Black Night is incredibly
musical, its spatial presentation is so three-dimensional and tangible
that the music is always reproduced with the utmost authenticity.
As with the Raven AC, the Black Night also provides for the use
of up to four tonearms. As an additional feature, we have developed
an armboard that allows VTA to be safely and accurately adjusted
during operation. This is achieved via a knurled thumbwheel, which
allows adjustment to be precisely carried out without float.
Product description: Raven Black Night
High mass turntable.
Weight: Chassis 30kg
Platter: 20kg
Motor unit: 10kg
Motor control unit: 5kg
Dimensions: 470mm x 420mm (wxd), motor 270mm x 270mm
Total footprint: 790mm x 420mm (wxd)
Chassis construction:
Material: 60mm aluminum, ceramic bead blasted and silk matt black
anodised.
Inlet: 25mm of TW-Acustic's proprietary composite-based compound,
rigidly screwed to chassis.
Feet and all other attachments are also ceramic bead blasted and
silk matt black anodised aluminum.
Feet: four, ceramic bead blasted and silk matt black anodised aluminum.,
designed and built by TW-Acustic featuring ball and spring suspension.
Platter construction:
Material: 40mm copper in combination with 20mm of our special compound
let into and screwed together with the copper platter.
Bearing:
Bronze bearing, 16mm hard metal shaft with large ground radius running
on a thrust washer of 'Material S ® (green)'. This is a special
low-pressure PE based material with a very low coefficient of friction
and very high wear resistance, giving a long maintenance free life
without the need for additional lubrication. Bushing is machined
exactly to fit the bearing with zero float, yet remains replaceable.
Motor:
60mm aluminum., ceramic bead blasted and silk matt black anodised,
in identical shape to the Raven Black Night but 60% smaller. 4 height-adjustable
feet on the outer corners. 3 motors arranged in an arrow formation,
pointing towards the platter. Drive belt is guided through the drive
pulleys and around the circumference of the platter.
Motor control unit:
Two built-in power supplies - one is exclusively used to charge
the batteries. In normal operation the motors run from the battery
supply alone, controlled by a microcontroller. Switching between
battery and mains supplies occurs automatically without interrupting
operation, as does battery charging. A remaining charge indicator
is included on the front panel.
Battery complement: 20 x rechargeable AA cells.
Run time on battery operation only: Approx. 20 hours.
Armboard:
Up to four tonearms may be fitted. Armboards are equipped with an
on-the-fly VTA riser, offering an adjustment range of up to 10mm
with zero float.
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Raven Black
Night
Motor unit
(3 motors)
Armboard
with VTA adjustment
VTA adjustment
wheel
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Raven AC
Turntable
Designed by
Thomas Woschnick, the Raven AC is a true high end turntable benefiting
from the finest German engineering, build quality and attention
to detail. Consisting of a solid base machined from a specially
developed high density polymer, a one-piece bearing and a heavy
composite platter together with pure copper, this turntable ensures
the ultimate in stability and control. Drive is provided by a microprocessor
controlled DC motor employing quartz crystal referencing to ensure
accurate speed to within 0.000000002 seconds per minute. This high
torque motor enables the 10kg platter to reach operating speed within
one second, via a maintenance free belt. The tonearm is fitted to
the turntable via a bronze armboard. It is possible to fit up to
four tonearms to the Raven at once. The result of this no-compromise
approach is an effortlessly natural sound throughout the entire
frequency range, extremely high resolution coupled with ultra-precise
timing and a tightly controlled bass that retains all its detail.
Specifications:
• Solid turntable - total weight 50kg. Platter
weight 10kg
• Materials - custom high density polymer,
stainless steel
• Inverted
one-piece bearing with capillary lubrication
• Tightest manufacturing tolerances
• High-torque DC motor, quartz referenced
and microprocessor controlled
• Speed accurate
to 2 nanoseconds per minute
• Motor controller is fully adjustable and
programmable
• Spin-up time - 1 second
• Extremely smooth and quiet in operation
• Stillpoint feet
• New Motor Controller
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Optional extra bronze armboards
Please note:
Armboards now available for all tonearms.
For prices
please call or email sales@gtaudio.com
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Raven
AC
Raven
AC with TW 10.5 tonearm
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Raven-One
Turntable
The Raven-One
turntable is a true high end turntable at an unbelievable price.
Made to the same exacting standards as its bigger brother the Raven
AC, it benefits from the finest engineering, build quality and attention
to detail that we have come to expect from the Germans. Consisting
of a solid base machined from a specially developed high density
polymer, a one-piece bearing and a heavy composite platter, this
turntable ensures the ultimate in stability and control. Drive is
provided by a microprocessor controlled DC motor employing quartz
crystal referencing to ensure accurate speed to within 2 nano seconds
per minute. This high torque motor enables the 6kg platter to reach
operating speed within one second, via a maintenance free belt.
The tonearm is fitted to the turntable via a armboard made from
the same high density polymer as the base. It is possible to fit
two tonearms to the Raven-One and in this configuration the motor
is moved to the left side of the turntable a la Raven AC. The result
is quite astonishing, the Raven-One produces an effortlessly natural
sound throughout the entire frequency range, with extremely high
resolution, coupled with ultra-precise timing and effortless bass
that retains all its detail. Having owned most of the top tables
in the world, I would say that it is almost impossible to achieve
this level of performance for the price.
Specifications:
• Solid turntable - total weight 21kg. Platter
weight 6kg
• Materials - custom high density polymer,
stainless steel
• Inverted
one-piece bearing with capillary lubrication
• Tightest manufacturing tolerances
• High-torque DC motor, quartz referenced
and microprocessor controlled
• Speed accurate
to 2 nanoseconds per minute
• Motor controller is fully adjustable and
programmable
• Spin-up time - 1 second
• Extremely smooth and quiet in operation
• Millennium feet
• Optional extra armboards
Please note:
Armboards now available for all tonearms including the Naim Aro
- see right.
For further
enquiries and prices please call or email sales@gtaudio.com
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Raven-One
with Vivid 2 tonearm
Raven-One
with Naim Aro
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Raven
.5 Turntable
The Raven
.5 - Thomas Woschnik's entry level model. TW-Acustic have developed
the Raven .5 in response to requests for an affordable way into
Raven ownership. In contrast to their 'cost no object' turntables,
the real development effort here is in the art of restraint.
The frame and platter are crafted from the same tried and tested
Delrin that is used in the top models; on the Raven .5 the frame
and platter are each 30 mm thick. The platter revolves on an
inverted bearing with a 10 mm diameter shaft. The basic frame
shape is as similar as possible to the Raven One. Platter drive
is provided by the same three-phase DC motor. Motor and motor
control are integrated within the chassis and decoupled from
it by rubber isolating cushions. The precision-turned pulley
has two different diameters. Choice of platter speed is achieved
by simply moving the precision-ground drive belt to the relevant
part of the pulley. The Raven .5 can accommodate tonearms of
up to 10 inch length. A 10 mm thick plastic disc serves as an
arm mount. Sonically, the Raven .5 is clearly geared toward
the performance of its bigger brothers and shines with a solid,
punchy, yet high resolution sound which leaves nothing to be
desired in terms of soundstaging and three-dimensionality. The
Raven .5 is a high-level player in every sense.
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Raven
.5 turntable
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Raven
10.5 Tonearm
Anyone
who has heard one of TW-Acustic's turntables will know that
attention to detail and ultimate sound quality are something
of an obsession with this German manufacturer. For a long
time, TW recommended the best arms other manufacturers could
offer, but, still unsatisfied, he decided to develop an
arm of his own to his exacting specifications. We have just
received this arm here in the UK and we are literally stunned
by the sonic performance. Listening to the arm on a Raven
AC hooked up to a Tron Seven Phono via a Tron Telstar 211
powering Avantgarde's Trios, both Graham and Paul immediately
came to the same conclusion – this arm appeared to
make the room sound bigger! Scale, resolution, soundstaging
and above all dynamics were simply jaw-dropping.
The
arm was created in collaboration with the civil engineer
Michael Wiedemann Dipl. Ing, who for several years has applied
himself to the science of tonearm construction. The result
is an arm that truly reflects the same philosophy as TW-Acustic
turntables: simplicity and user-friendliness.
From
the very beginning it was established that the concept would
be a straight, pivoted-type arm. The rigorously selected
precision bearings are ultra-precisely adjusted during the
production process in order to eliminate any interference
in the pick-up process through stiction and the so-called
stick and slip effect. To keep effective mass to a minimum,
the tonearm is predominantly constructed from a special
black-anodised aluminum. alloy which intrinsically ensures
the necessary stiffness and torsional strength. The effective
mass is approximately 14g, which allows partnering with
the majority of currently available MC and MM cartridges.
This universal compatibility is further underlined by the
inclusion of three different polished stainless steel counterweights
as standard, allowing any cartridge with an operating weight
of between 5g and 20g to be perfectly counterbalanced. Of
course, thanks to its 4-hole flange mount, the Raven 10.5
can easily be used with other manufacturers turntables.
Tonearm height is adjustable with the zero-float VTA adjuster.
This VTA adjuster, derived from that found on the flagship
Raven Black Night turntable, allows adjustment of 10 mm
on the fly. The headshell is not detachable, but nonetheless
allows for azimuth correction. This means that any cartridge
system can be adjusted in every parameter. The arm features
integral one-piece sonically optimised copper tonearm cable
from the cartridge tags right through to the phono plugs.
Technical
Specification:
Effective length |
267 mm (10.5 ") |
Mounting distance |
251.2 mm |
Overhang |
15.8 mm |
Offset angle |
20.5 degrees |
Geometry |
Lœfgren B drawn on IEC radii h |
Null points |
70 mm (inner) and 117 mm (outer) |
Effective mass |
14g |
Bearing |
Dual pivoted type - using high precision bearings |
| Material |
Special black anodised aluminium |
| Counterweight material |
Stainless steel |
| VTA adjustment |
Via VTA adjuster (+/- 5 mm) |
| Azimuth adjustment |
Via rotation of headshell |
| Overhang adjustment |
Via positioning of cartridge in headshell
slots. |
To read Graham's first impressions and see more images/details of the Raven 10.5 tonearm, download our PDF (500kb).
You will need Adobe Reader to view this PDF. If you do not already have Reader, click here to download it from Adobe:
For
further detail, including prices, please call or emailsales@gtaudio.com
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Raven
10.5 tonearm on a Raven AC
Raven
10.5 tonearm and included accessories: counterweights,
VTA collar, protractors, tools etc.
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Thales
tonearms
It all began when Micha Huber sought for a way to combine the advantages of a conventional tonearm and those of a linear tangential pick-up arm. The solution is based on the well-known elementary school aid to construct a tangent: the Thales’ Circle.
After much thought, endless sketches and calculations, a three-dimensional mechanical solution emerged that satisfied all the requirements placed on a modern pick-up system – provided the mechanics functions as precisely and reliably as a Swiss watch.
The long-cherished dream of geometrically correct sensing with low friction pivot bearings became reality. A new patent was added to the dozens of existing patents that testify to this dream: CH694567 – Tangential Pivoted Tonearm, announced in May 2004.
Micha Huber was trained both as a mechanical engineer and a professional musician. After working for five years in the field of developing finest Swiss watches he launched his own company: HiFiction AG. With this company, his dream of combining music and mechanics, culture and precision, became reality.
The Simplicity is the little brother of the original Thales tonearm. Its geometry is based on a newly created tetragon solution which reduces the tracking error to a maximum of 0.008°. It uses the same bearing technology as the Thales tonearm. Six jewels and four subminiature ball bearings make sure that the friction and clearance are within our state-of-the-art tolerances. The intrinsic frequencies of the two tonearm tubes are carefully tuned up in inharmonic proportions to even top the damping properties of any single-arm design.
The Simplicity comes with a special tool to make sure the installati-on is as precise as the manufacturing. The headshell can be taken apart easily for exact placing of the cartridge. The surfaces of the tubes are bronze anodized, using 0.1g of a specific salt per litre electrolyte. All side forces are balanced by two small magnets.
Simplicity - tangential pivoted tonearm
- finest ruby bearing, six jewels
- optimized Burne-Jones-geometry, theoretical tracking error: ±0.008°
- hard-chrome plated cardanic bearings
- aluminium arms, bronze anodized finish
- removable headshell for easy installation of cartridge
- effective length: 9 inches
- effective tonearm mass: 19g.
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Simplicity
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Reed
tonearms
We are
now distributors of this tonearm in the UK.
The Reed series tonearm was created based on technical/acoustical
analysis and suggestions from audiophiles. Support consists
of two parts: the solid stand and moving parts made of solid
metal. After adjusting tonearm height it is tightened to the
stand, which gives it rigidity and stability.
Bearings feature carbide points and sapphire thrust pad. Such
bearings have a very low friction and minimal contact surface,
reducing noise transmission from support to the cartridge. Lever
antiskating mechanism is supported by ruby olive bombe bearings.
The antiskating mechanism is dynamic – antiskating force
decreases as the cartridge moves to the centre of the platter.
Ruby olive bombe bearings reduce mechanism friction to a minimum.
The tonearm is statically balanced. To minimize "swinging" effect,
counterweight is at the same horizontal level as the needle
tip. Since cartridge weight can be very different (from 3 g
to 15 g), to reduce tonearm counterweight moment of inertia,
two additional weights can be screwed into the counterweight
holder.
The headshell without azimuth adjuster is made of solid metal,
which is heat treated in order to eliminate the internal mechanical
tension which helps to avoid parasitic acoustical oscillations.
The headshell with azimuth adjuster is made of titanium and
aluminum. It helps to minimise weight and increase rigidity.
The armtube is probably the most controversial and demanding
component. It really has a significant impact on sound quality.
It must be lightweight (to minimize cartridge and armtube moment
of inertia), rigid (to hold the cartridge firmly), resistant
to temperature and humidity changes and acoustically damped
(so-called "acoustically dead"). Arm tubes are usually made
of metal, fibreglass, carbon fibre or wood, however each material
has its own advantages and drawbacks. Reed have investigated
all of these materials for armtube production and came up to
the conclusion that one of the best materials (probably the
best) is properly selected and processed wood. Reed now offer
arm tubes made from various kinds of woods. Various different
armtube woods are available to suit different preferences and
systems. More will be added to this section in the future when
I get more information regarding the resonant properties of
different woods.
Tonearm wiring is C37 with different RCA connectors. C37 is
a high quality one-piece wiring loom (manufactured by Heiko
Wingender of Stereo-Lux Musikanlagen in Germany).
Please
contact us if you would like to learn more about these great
tonearms.
Reed 2P Series Options table
Options |
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Effective length |
9.5'' |
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10.5" |
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12" |
Finish |
Seashell White |
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Black |
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Gold Matt finish |
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Gold Polished finish |
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Rhodium Satin finish |
Wiring |
C37 standard |
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C37+Cryo, XLR Neutrik |
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C37+Cryo, Eichmann Bullet Plugs |
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C37+Cryo, WBT Nextgen |
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C37+Cryo Ag-4N, Eichmann Bullet Plugs Ag |
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C37+Cryo Ag-4N, WBT Nextgen Ag |
Adjustment |
Azimuth: +/- 5deg, precision +/-0.25deg |
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Height: 5 - 29mm, 15 - 39mm |
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VTA-fine: 0.6deg, precision +/-0.15deg |
Arm wand material |
Red Cedar |
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Red Cedar + C37 Oil |
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Pau Ferro, Macassar Ebony |
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Cocobolo, Panzerholz (Tankwood) |
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Pernambucco |
For
further detail, including prices, please call or emailsales@gtaudio.com
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Reed
tonearm
Rear
close-up of Reed tonearm showing cable entry
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Graham
Phantom tonearm
The perfect
complement to a high end turntable, this precision engineered
tonearm will provide outstanding results.
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Graham
Phantom II
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SME
tonearm
The Model M2-12R
precision pick-up arm is an extension of SME's popular Series M2
range offering optimum cartridge choice with minimal tracking error
and harmonic distortion associated with a 12 inch arm.
Providing classic
looks and meticulous build quality, this arm offers all the most
important features; traditional J-shaped tonearm, detachable S2-R
aluminum. headshell with azimuth adjustment, two-stage tungsten
counterbalance system, superb quality ball race bearings and a level
of rigidity to suit all types of cartridge.
As you may
know, Graham is a big fan of the SPU cartridge. This arm is the
obvious choice for anyone using or wanting to use an SPU cartridge.
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SME M2-12R
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ZYX
Sensational
audiophile cartridges from Japan
Regarded as
one, if not the top cartridge manufacturers in the world,
ZYX (pronounced "ziks") is now establishing itself very
well in the UK. The R1000 Airy now in version 3 status and using
the exclusive "micro ridge" stylus makes for the quietest
groove tracing ever! To hear what these cartridges can do why not
call us for a demonstration.
Specification:
• 4D
• R1000 Airy 3
• R100 'Fuji'
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R100 'Yatra'
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R100H
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R50 'Bloom'
For
further detail, including prices, please call or emailsales@gtaudio.com
Please
beware that any ZYX cartridge sold into the UK that has not been imported by G T Audio or sold by one of my appointed dealers listed below will not be covered by
ANY warrantee. These cartridges will also not be subject to any repair, exchange or upgrade offers. G T Audio is the official UK distributor for these
cartridges so please call us if you are in any doubt and we will
be only too happy to advise. We have serial number records to establish
all official imported UK ZYX cartridges.
Note: Sorasound are no longer ZYX agents and can no longer handle any official ZYX repairs or servicing. Anyone in the UK buying one of these cartridge does so at their own risk and will not be supported by G T Audio.
UK
approved dealers for ZYX cartridges are:
Analogue Seduction
(Northants) tel: 01733 344768
Angel Sound Audio (Hertfordshire) tel: 01923 352479
Audio Emotion (Scotland) tel: 01333 425 999
Avondale Audio (Derbyshire) tel: 01246 200096
Cool Gales (Wiltshire) tel: 01225 478400
Origin
Live (Hampshire) tel: 02380 578877
Noteworthy Audio (Bucks) tel: 01296 422224
Radlett Audio (Cambridgeshire & Essex) tel: 01799 599080
Ian Harrison Hi-Fi (Derbyshire) tel: 01283 702875
Retro Reproductions (Scotland) tel: 0131 558 9989
Time Audio (Essex & Kent) tel 01277 627184
G T Audio (London, Bucks, Berks & Herts) tel: 01895 833099
Any dealer
not listed above will be selling grey import ZYX cartridges which
will not be optimised for the UK climate.
For
further detail, including prices, please call or emailsales@gtaudio.com
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4D
R-1000
Airy 3
R-100
Fuji
R-100
Yatra
R-100H
R-50
Bloom
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J.
C. Verdier - Nouvelle and Platine Verdier Turntables
The Nouvelle
Platine is a very new turntable from J.C. Verdier. It is based
on the Platine Verdier and has most of its endearing qualities
but is more affordable and like the Platine Verdier is now becoming
recognised as a milestone in turntable design. Here are some
of its unique features: The plinth is pneumatically decoupled
via air bellows and damped like a car shock absorber. The deck
is levelled by rotating the three feet under the plinth. The
platter which weights 16kgs (35lbs) of non-magnetic alloy is
supported on a bed of oil. This principle is similar to the
Platine Verdier's magnetic repulsion and removes the need for
a thrust bearing. This principle significantly reduces bearing
noise and in practice it also reduces record surface noise.
Dissimilar metals are used between the record spindle and the
platter, which further helps to decouple the record from the
platter and bearing. There are two ways of driving the platter
e.g. rubber belt or linen thread. It is down to the customer
to choose which one they prefer. I have found the linen is superior
to the rubber belt. A low inertia high torque motor is used
to drive the platter and this is fitted in a separate housing
to reduce the amount of motor vibration from getting into the
platter. The motor has two speeds: 33 & 45rpm and is fully adjustable
so speed can be adjusted +/- 5% The Nouvelle Platine has the
capability for mounting two tone arms. It comes with two arm
boards, one pre-drilled for an SME and one blank for an alternative
tonearm. The sound of the Nouvelle Platine is very similar to
that of its bigger brother. It has the same tone and character
and if you consider its price, it is an audiophile bargain.
For
further detail, including prices, please call or emailsales@gtaudio.com
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Nouvelle
Platine
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J.C. Verdier
has been manufacturing and exporting this turntable for over
twenty years. It is now recognised all over the world as one
of the finest, if not the finest sounding turntable available
today. This is even more remarkable when you consider how little
it has changed in those 20 years. Here are some of the unique
features which have lead to its cult status: The plinth is pneumatically
decoupled via air bellows and damped like a car shock absorber.
The top of the bellows has an adjuster for levelling the turntable.
This is a very simple operation as the three knurled adjusters
are on top of the plinth for ease of set-up. The platter which
weights 16Kgs (35lbs) of non-magnetic alloy is supported by
magnetic repulsion and removes the need for a thrust bearing.
This principle significantly reduces bearing noise and in practice
it also reduces record surface noise. Dissimilar metals are
used between the record spindle and the platter, which helps
to further decouple the record from the platter and bearing.
There are two ways of driving the platter e.g. rubber belt or
linen thread. It is down to the customer to choose which one
they prefer. I have found the linen is superior to the rubber
belt. A low inertia high torque motor is used to drive the platter
and this is fitted in a separate housing to reduce the amount
of motor vibration from getting into the platter. The motor
now has three speeds: 33, 45 & 78rpm and is fully adjustable
so speed can be adjusted +/- 5% The Platine Verdier has the
capability for mounting two tone arms. It comes with two arm
boards, one pre-drilled for an SME and one blank for an alternative
tonearm. If you want to own the classic combination of a 12
inch SME and Ortofon SPU then our own version of the SME 3012
is the one to have. However if you want to achieve the best
possible results then the Platine Verdier with the Schroder
Reference tonearm with an Allaerts cartridge is the ultimate.
This combination will make the hairs stand up on the back of
your neck.
For
further detail, including prices, please call or email sales@gtaudio.com
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Platine
Verdier
Vintage
Platine
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