Soulines tt42

The number 42 usually has no meaning other than mathematical, but when placed in the context of the science fiction novel "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by the famous Douglas Adams, where the number 42 is the answer to the "question about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything", the number 42 also gains a serious philosophical meaning. As no one can tell which is the best turntable in the world, because we still don't know what that turntable should be like, what characteristics it should have, etc. namely we don't know how to correctly formulate the question what's the best turntable in the world, it is also impossible to correctly formulate the question about the meaning of life, the universe and everything, and get some meaningful answer. So, the number 42 is the perfect answer to that question, as long as the question is formulated in that way. Until we determine what's the best turntable in the world should be, the tt42 could be the answer.

Design of the tt42 was done using 3D-modeling software and employing Golden Ratio and Fibonacci sequence, in order to attain a fully mechanically balanced system. Thus, the center of mass of the turntable is placed onto the vertical axis of rotation of the main bearing shaft/platter, reducing Moment of inertia to the very center of the mass. To gain uniform vibration damping across the whole frequency spectrum, different materials like acrylic, aluminum and stainless steel, had been chosen for the plinth and sub-plinth components according to their specific mechanical characteristics. All the components are precisely CNC machined and hand finished to the highest standards.

Acrylic made main plinth, massive aluminum sub-plinth and motor assembly are 3-point or 4-point coupled over differently sized rubber-cork washers for damping, thus gaining maximum control of the vibrations transfer through the complex plinth/sub-plinth/motor-pod assembly. Both arm-pods and main bearing assembly are tightly mounted directly onto the massive CNC machined aluminum sub-plinth, which is in turn 3-point coupled to the main Acrylic plinth over the differently sized rubber-cork washers used for damping.

Main bearing assembly is of inverted type, precisely CNC machined and finished to the tightest of tolerances. Bearing top hub is machined from solid stainless steel and comprises brass sleeve insert and Derlin thrust pad. A polished stainless steel shaft holds captive hardened steel ball bearing, at the top, ensuring that the ball is housed absolutely central to the shaft. The platter, 60mm thick and weighing 5.4kg, is machined from laminated cast Acrylic to a very high accuracy. The use of mat is completely up to the user preferences, thankfully to the 1.0mm deep recess carved into the top plane of the platter in the middle (for the record paper label) and to the fact that Acrylic proved itself as a great turntable mat "material". Complete main bearing assembly and platter are individually manufactured to fit each other specifically, rather than manufacturing in batches.

Drive mechanism utilizes a powerful, high torque brush less DC motor and with an integrated speed control electronic driver, while the motor controller is a true analog device, providing constant speed and uniform rotation, which in turn ensures perfect natural dynamics, timbre, timing and musicality of every record played. Fine speed adjustment feature is provided for both speeds 33.33rpm and 45rpm.

The turntable is supported by three adjustable massive cone feet CNC machined from solid stainless steel to allow leveling and provide optimum coupling to the surface that it sits on. Cone feet are coupled to the particular aluminum pods over the rubber-cork washers of different diameters, while in turn the aluminum pods are 3-point coupled to the main Acrylic plinth again over differently sized rubber-cork washers for damping. Thus, structural vibration break through (from the environment through shelf/rack/stand) is minimized and can be neglected.

Two identical arm-pods consist of several parts: the upper part, the lower part and the arm-board (SME x 2, Jelco/Linn/Ortofon, Rega/Origin Live/Audio Note/etc. mounting standard), all CNC machined from aluminum and 3 sets (of 4) of spacers of different heights (15, 20, 25 mm) made of stainless steel . The upper and lower part are tightly connected with six M4 bolts and can slide over each other, so the required change of geometry for different tone-arms lengths, 9 or 12 inches, is quite easy, unscrewing the M4 bolts, sliding the upper part to the appropriate position and tightening the bolts again. Right arm-pod with the SME arm-board is factory fitted, while mounting of the second (left) arm-pod (comes partially assembled) is quite easy using six M4 bolts (supplied). Custom arm-boards are available through us, by request and upon submitting necessary technical drawings of the particular tone arm specific mount.

The turntable is supported by three small silicone rubber pucks.

Included in the package:

- three different (user) exchangeable aluminum made arm-boards:

- two SME arm-boards - tone-arm pivot to spindle distance from 199-241mm (9”) and 275-317mm (12”)

- Jelco arm-board - tone-arm pivot to spindle distance 214mm (9”) and 290mm (12”)

- Rega/Origin Live arm-board - tone-arm pivot to spindle distance 222mm

- partially assembled second arm-pod

- 3 sets (of 4) of stainless steel spacers of different heights 15, 20 and 25mm

- high-performance rubber-cork mat

- cartridge protractor alignment tool including Baerwald, Loefgren and Stevenson protractors

Please check availability and retail price with your local Soulines distributor/dealer