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Relaxing Records for Better Sound - Using the AFI FLAT

I am re-posting my review under a new heading.  While this is a device for taking out warps, I think its RELAX function, which improves sonics, is of greater import.

I have had a FLAT (that does have a nice ring to it) for several months and here are my impressions:

1.     I love the look and what appears to be very solid German design and construction.

2.     Its operation is straight-forward and it has performed without any issues. The only thing I would note is that, as stated in the user manual, the cool-down cycle will not function properly in very warm ambient temperature. It basically cannot fully complete the cool-down cycle. After confirming this for myself (I am guessing the room temperature was around 27 or 28 C) I from then on ran it with my aircon on (24 C ambient temperature) for the cool-down cycle with no issues.

3.     I have found its ability to flatten records excellent, five stars. This is described as the Standard function. I thought that I would have limited use for this feature, but since getting the FLAT I have been much more observant and found that quite a few new records that I have bought are dished. The Standard cycle has successfully flattened all my warped records.

4.     It also has another function, Relax, which is of much interest. This is a milder version of the Standard cycle. Unfortunately, there is zero description, apart from how to operate it, that I could find in the 19 page user manual on this. I wanted to know what Relax is meant to accomplish and whether it can be used on both played and unplayed records, and new and old. I have been told, but have not been able to substantiate, that the designer believes it to release something trapped in the vinyl during pressing. I wanted to know whether there is any audible difference using this cycle so I managed to find two identical unplayed records in my collection of Joni Mitchell’s “Blue”. They are US pressings but not the original 1971 pressing but must have been a subsequent Warner Bros/Reprise “Super Saver Series” reissue which I picked up around 1987-88. I checked that they had identical Matrix/Runnout identifiers. I cleaned both with my KLAudio Mk2 cleaner and used the Relax cycle on one. A day later I played the non Relaxed record with a friend with excellent audio ears. The recording quality was not the best. We then put on the Relaxed record. We were both amazed. There was a very significant difference. The non Relaxed record was irritating and the Relaxed record was transformed to listenable.

5.   I later listened to a 1987 German pressing on Warner Brothers of “Shaka Zulu” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I would have had this record for over 25 years but had not played it. I had washed it with a KLAudio Mk1 in Nov 2014. It is an excellent recording and pressing. I put it through the FLAT’s Relax cycle and listened to it again. It is not often that I can compare two events separated by 18 hours and categorically be sure of the outcome. The recording had a significant increase in ambient information that turned an excellent recording into something special. I think also that the soundstage was improved in width and solidity.

6.     The Relax cycle will only take out the mildest of warps. Nearly all warps need the Standard cycle.

Since, I started to Relax FLAT all my best recordings. I highly recommend this device to take out warps, and also more importantly for me, to Relax favourite recordings for improved sonics. I would not be without it.

All the best,
bluewolf
nkonor
635 posts
 
bluewolf,

Is the AFI record Flat distributed in the US? By who?

Thanks
Norb
nkonor
635 posts
 
I am still hoping that someone can provide a lead on a distributor in the USA and cost $

Thanks in Advance 
rwwear
2,902 posts
 
http://vinylflat.com/vinylflatproducts.html
nkonor
635 posts
 
rwwear,

Thanks for posting the Link for the Vinyl Flat. I may try  it. I do think that the AFI Flat would be more controlled. Most of my records are flat. Some used records that I bought have the long warps and 1 or 2 with sudden edge warps. I have multiple copies , so it is not really a problem.

The AFI Flat has a RELAX function that uses lower heat and shorter heating time, but longer cooling time if I am understanding correctly. This  RELAX Function supposedly RELAXS stresses in the record incurred during the pressing process; This is what I am interested in.

Read bluewolfs review above for the sonic results that he reports. Even though it is a "Spendy" piece of gear.I think it would be a worthwhile accessory for Hard core vinyl fans. I have an AudioDesk Pro US cleaning machine, A VPI 16.5 for initial cleaning of used records and rinsing after US cleanig, I have a Furatech De'Mag for demagnetizing records. I think that the AFI Flat would be a worthy adddition to these tools to obtaining SQ.

I have found a dealer in Canada; but the new improved version is not finalized. Michael Fremer is supposed to get an AFI Flat for review; I guess we will just need to wait until this is accomplished.

I have be in contact with another user in the UK and he echos the same kind of results.
jbny
38 posts
 
I am in the US and have an AFI Flat MK2 that I bought direct last month. I agree with bluewolf assessment of the Flat. Personally I think it is a great piece of equipment. It looks great, but I have mine in my basement so no one but me really get to see it. It works flawlessly, the controls are easy to use, the magnetic switch they have employed is a great idea and keeps the unit from ever being turned on accidentally.

But most important it dose the job of flattening records almost perfect all the time. I say almost perfect because on one record that had a large bump on the outer edge, and a warp, it was not able to smooth out the bump, but it did fix the warp. I have used the Flat on 25 records so far and, other than that one I just mentioned, they have all come out perfectly flat. One of the things I notice now that I have the Flat is that most records are not perfectly flat, many have a slight but small warp, and you can watch the cartridge, even slightly move up and down as it plays through the record. But after placing the record in the Flat is perfectly flat. :-) I have also used it a lot on newer records as they almost all seem to come with a slight warp, but that is easily fixed now.

The Relax program seems to work as bluewolf describes. I hear that there is slightingly more weight to the sound now. For me the sound is slightly more forward in the mid range and fuller all around, the highs are more clear yet not as harsh.

The two programs seem to be similar, but the main difference is how long the record is kept at the target temperature of 59C. For Standard it is 50 minutes, for Relax it is 10 minutes. the cool down seems to be the same and is sort of dependant on how warm the ambient room temperature is, as it will slowly cool down until the record is less than 30C. In speaking with Oliver in Germany, if you use the Standard Program you get both the warp being fixed as well as the benefits of the Relax program. With Relax the record will sound better but you might not get a warp fixed.

Any other questions just ask.
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