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Mag Lev Turntable. Your Thoughts?

One is for sale on Audiogon. Very cool BUT, I can think of a bunch of potential problems. My instinct says it is showmanship but not having actually played with one who knows? Anybody have any experience with the Mag Lev?
The first problem would be that magnetic fields are not solid. They are squishy. What happens when you play different weight records. What about a record clamp? The tonearm is fixed to the plinth. If the height of the platter changes the VTA changes. If the platter bounces at all it will cause rather rapid speed variations. What about those powerful magnetic fields right under cartridges. Looking at the video the platter certainly is not machined very well.
Is it really worth the trouble. Good tables make very little noise. 99% of it is coming from the record itself. My inclination is that the platter should be on a solid footing.
128x128mijostyn
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
No it is not clear on the website although the reviews all stated no MC cartridge at this time but it was a work in progress.
Guess the magnetic fields from the Maglev really screws with the MC signals at this time.
So yes limited functionality with people not being able to use their top flight MC carts is likely going to rule it out simply on that aspect.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@folkfreak , good link. Glowing review with lots of positive signs already. Interesting also to read the following:

"I also know companies around the world are looking at upgrades for the ML1 and the engineers at Maglevaudio.com are also working late hours to improve performance."

One obvious area would be to improve the wow and flutter measurements, which are given at .17%. The signal to noise figures of -73dB are impressive, but that's to be expected with no bearing present.

All manual turntables are a faff, but at least this one gives you ample time to get comfortably seated as well as not worry about unnecessary stylus wear if you fall asleep (say during a marathon Steely Dan session for example).

Definitely one to watch. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
If the numbers had come up last night I would have bought one just to see.
But a bit too much to take the plunge until a few more do and give feedback or it gets a few improvements made.
Interesting concept nevertheless.
br3098
994 posts
 
Cool concept, stupid product.  Why?  Two reasons:

1- By using a magnetic "bearing", the platter is not held completely captive as if by using a hard bearing.  The platter slips and slides around.  They have done a fair job of isolating the platter but if you demo one push against the platter.  It moves.  This is cool but it aint good turntable design.

2- The last thing you want anywhere near any phono cartridge (other than a strain gauge type) is a strong magnetic field.  What holds this platter up in the air?  TWO strong magnetic fields.  'nuff said.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,784 posts
 
The coupling between the platter surface and the base of the tone arm must be as rigid and dead as possible. To this end, the bearing can have no slop (but at the same time can't make noise and has to be free) and the plinth be as rigid and dead as possible. Anything short of this will be interpreted by the pickup as coloration should any vibration be introduced. IOW the base of the arm has to vibrate in the same plane and rate as the platter so as to be unable to interpret the vibration as a signal.

Obviously a magnetic suspension flies right in the face of this.
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