The Turntable

Contrary to all the predictions, the vinyl disc has managed to sustain and even consolidate its right to exist over a period of several decades. Back in the 1990’s, when the medium was almost completely swamped by the CD, there were many who lamented its lost qualities; especially the almost tactile sound, with its subjectively warmer nature. In comparison with the CD there is no doubt that vinyl is impractical and space-consuming, but precisely for this reason it had something which the new media lacked: a distinctive character.
The old R-series G 1260 R turntable was a very successful design, and we have carried out further development work on it and introduced a number of improvements. The unit now joins the new R-series as a means of reproducing high-quality analogue sound media, capable of setting standards with its sound quality and its unique design features. Although the vinyl disc is an »old« medium, modern turntables have to be designed and developed with great sophistication if the full potential of the disc is to be exploited.

Drive Motor

T+A has carried out the development in two different directions: the one targeted the drive motor, which is required to runs as smoothly and steadily as possible, while the second aimed at avoiding structural sound, resonances and vibration in the system as a whole.
We use a high-quality synchronous motor, whose accurately machined belt pulley drives the disc platter by means of a special ground rubber belt. This arrangement has proved excellent in many applications, and is employed by many other manufacturers of High-End turntables. However, we were not satisfied with this, and decided to tackle the basic problem of uneven rotational speed right at the root. In contrast to pure vinyl specialists we have great competence in electronic development, which has given us vast experience in using digital signal processors to control complex processes.

DSP Control

Our T+A development team came up with the ingenious idea of using a DSP to fine-tune the curve of the motor coil voltage, with the aim of persuading the motor to run completely smoothly and evenly, devoid of jerks and vibration. Even the initial rotation of the heavy disc platter is smooth and even, achieved by controlling motor torque. Motor speed fluctuations – known as wow and flutter – are no longer measurable, with the result that the interference commonly associated with uncontrolled motors is completely absent. Uncontrolled motors are also at the mercy of fluctuations in mains frequency and voltage, but DSP motor control also eliminates this problem. The innovative system also offers a further major advantage in the form of direct control of rotational speed: the belt no longer needs to be re-positioned manually for the available rotational speeds of 33 and 45 rpm.

Case Design

The turntable’s case was also designed to eliminate judder and vibration, again with the aim of maximizing sound quality. For this reason the G 2000 R is housed in a case made of solid MDF, which has excellent damping characteristics; all the sub-assemblies are located in this component. The turntable body is mounted on four shock absorbers. The external aluminum parts are of sandwich construction in order to absorb structural sound, while the aluminum case cover is bonded to the body, thereby suppressing and absorbing vibration and resonances. The heavy pressure-cast disc platter is manufactured using an accurate machining tool, fine-turned and mounted on an inner zinc platter for isolation. The friction of the large support surface isolates the platter perfectly, and prevents any last trace of structural sound. The heavy disc mat, made of soft silicone rubber, has the same effect, and also avoids damage to the delicate vinyl discs. The net result is that the disc platter is acoustically dead, and offers best possible conditions for the pickup system to make contact with the disc without suffering interference. The zinc platter can only be produced using the very latest automatic CNC machines, since it undergoes a further precision machining process after the platter shaft has been press-fitted. This process ensures absolute precision in the whole mechanical system. The plain brass bush and hardened, polished steel shaft are made to a tolerance of 5 μm.