- Μηνύματα
- 3.060
- Reaction score
- 632
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.
We were, not surprisingly, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finally we arrive at the component that makes the whole thing work – the motor. After all the work done we certainly were not going to compromise here. We decided early on that is was not so much the type of motor used but the power supply that drives it. Why not a 6C33C-B single ended triode power supply in DC mode? Why not indeed! Our triode power supply completely avoids the negative effects of solid state, which produces a ‘high speed jagged’ effect and thus compromise speed stability and torque of the motor. In addition the triode tube has a long-waved, smooth transfer of power to the running motor, which removes the last trace of edginess and a completely non-electronic, non-fatiguing sound. The sonic effect of the triode tube power supply is similar to going from listening to a passive phonon stage to a true LCR phonon stage with a single triode on each channel! We built our own ‘pan cake’ PAPST motor and optimized it to drive the massive platter at the precise speed without resorting to multiple motors. Multiple motors results in flexing and the ‘tug-of-war’ for control that occurs between the motors and the platter thereby sacrificing stability. This will occur no matter how much control the power supply exerts over the motors.
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.
