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Turntable |

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Ultimate |
When we
began our research into the science and acoustics of sound reproduction we
had to discard many currently accepted and practiced approaches to audio
design. In loudspeakers we re-looked the cabinet construction
methods, loading of our horns, materials, crossover networks and many more
design parameters. We did not try to be different for the sake of
being different but our research into the weakest link in the audio
reproduction chain resulted in the unique design approach of our now
legendary naturally musical transducers. We call them the Horning
Hybrid Horn.
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Helle Marie |
We were,
not surprising, pleased with the results but we discovered that the
speakers were limited to their full potential and traced the reason to our
then current analog source components and amplification. After some
exhaustive tweaking and substituting parts to enhance the sound of
these components we realized we had to design pout own amplification and
turntable to do justice to our superlative loudspeakers.
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We applied
the same approach as we did for the Horning Hybrid Horns to our goal of
the ultimate amplifier and turntable. Although we extensively used
CAD assisted design to simplify the time consuming method of calculations
and the like, we would only be satisfied if the component made music in
the most natural way. We used our ears. We liked what we heard.
We refined the designs. Again. And
again. We liked even more what we heard after each refinement.
The feeling of transcendence. Of
Transference. Of SATI. We
finally found what would make us listen to music reproduced in our own
homes. And yours.
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Introducing
the SATI Ultimate Transference Turntable.
Nothing beats pure mass in a turntable. We repeat – nothing.
Sprung suspensions have their inherent problems with swaying and vertical
movements. If a spring can actually attenuate the micro vibrations
try hitting the stand that supports any sprung/suspended turntable.
Our research into material sciences led us to understand that different
material used resulted in different hardening and softening of the music.
We wanted a material that was free from extraneous ringing and adding its
own coloration to the sound. We found
out that the current (and fashionable) use of acrylic platters added an
audible ringing; lack of bottom octave under 40Hz and a softening of the
frequencies from 100 to 200 Hz. And we could not cure these
artifacts even with three (3!) strong motors. We even experimented
with Titanium, an immensely hard metal. Between these two substances
we tried gunmetal, brass and copper. But they all added an audible
ring because of their molecular structure. We tried aluminum. Nothing
really special here. Then we experimented with casting a
whole solid piece of aluminum. SATI at last.
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However,
this is not ordinary cast aluminum. The aluminum is subjected to
oven heating at the optimum temperature and slowly cooled to avoid any
fractures and deep drawn three times. Then of course the polishing
will have to be immaculate. This is a time consuming, troublesome
and expensive exercise. But well worth the effort we would add.
We didn’t stop there. The aluminum platter is then topped with a
7mm Polymer to ensure perfect coupling with the vinyl LP – to match the
right impedance. Even then we had to bolt this Polymer to the
massive 30Kg aluminum because during our listening tests we discovered
that the every type of adhesive we tried introduced an unwanted damping
influence to the sound thus filtering out details in the microscopic
grooves of the LP.
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Our
proudest achievement with the SATI Ultimate transference is the bearing
with its immense strength and ability to support such a massive platter.
In order to avoid the stray resonance from inside the platter and bearing
from reaching the delicate vinyl we had to have the ultimate bearing
design. We eschewed air bearing because it filtered out frequencies
below 100 Hz but many people like this because it gives an (un)
natural extension to the mid and high frequencies.
Hardly a neutral transscriptor,
we would say. This too applies to magnetic bearings. This
bearing is machined to extremely close tolerances – we would not have it
any other way and neither would you.
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The
SATI precision bearings are massively huge and made with the best
materials we know of to provide adequate support for even a 50kg platter.
We had to “over-engineer” you see. Speaking of mass we did not
build a 30Kg platter to impress; we did it because it sounded better then
a 10Kg or even 20Kg platter. Even the
difference between the 10Kg and 20Kg was clearly audible. But with a
30Kg platter you are on top of things. Mass results in silence that
is only available from such a design. Mass
results in more naturally available dynamic range and silence between
fortissimos. Like we said earlier – nothing beats mass.
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So there
you have it. The ultimate turntable we know how to make with the
present materials and metallurgical science. We really like the
final product and we are confident that you will too after a careful and
extended audition of this Masterpiece – the SATI Ultimate Transference. |