Nude Turntable Project

Well…I read the interesting article on RFI/EMI linked by Banquo. Whilst it deals specifically with the Kenwood L-07D turntable….I don’t doubt that its observations would also apply to most unshielded DD turntables?
Whilst the writer begins criticising the L-07D …

The tonal range is also reduced. The sound stage is compressed. Stereo separation is reduced….and there is a roll-off of the upper registers

……I hear none of these artifacts with the TT-101 compared to the Raven AC-2 and the Continuum Caliburn.
In fact……these are some of the areas in which the TT-101 playback excels……compared to other turntables?
I also hear no “wum wum wum” sounds through the speakers when the ‘brake’ function is activated.
My experiences with RFI/EMI problems are that if they are present…..they are audible. Simply place the stylus on the vinyl and turn up the volume way past that at which you normally listen. A hum or drone emanates from the speakers which increases as the volume increases. With my TT-101….I can turn up the volume to maximum without any extraneous noise whatsoever.
I am more concerned at the possible ‘unknown’ effects of the wayward magnetism inherent in those DD turntables? So I decided to do some tests on the actual ‘strength’ of this magnetism.
Using my trusty vertical magnet tester……I placed it on the bare aluminium Victor platter and felt its ‘pull’. Was it enough to hold the magnet whilst the platter spun?
Yes it was!
I then decided to try it with the Micro Seiki Cu-180 solid copper platter mat in place.
I was surprised to find the magnetic field was not deterred one iota by the copper platter and the little magnet stayed upright. Methinks the Cu-180 is a ‘fake’ gunmetal copy painted gold? :-(
Could this magnetic field extend through the copper/gunmetal AND a vinyl record?…..is the Pope catholic?
Next I tried to emulate these tests with the original Victor rubber platter mat and then the Victor 1mm pigskin mat directly on the aluminium platter and could not get the little yellow magnet to even stay on the surface….let alone stand at attention :-)

Does a tt need a massive heavy platter to reproduce extreme low bass?

This seems to be an interim conclusion by respected reviewers like Michael Fremer and Jonathan Valin but they obviously haven’t heard the TT-101?
The Victor can go deeper than the Raven AC-2 (depending on cartridge in use)……but more importantly…the bass can sound more natural, better controlled with less overhang and more definition.
Perhaps the physics is different with belt-drive decks….but the short answer to Lewm’s question is…….not in my experience. :-)

Halcro,
there came out so many Micro Seiki CU180 metal plates out of China in the last years MS couldn't have produced in the golden (!) times of Japanese turntable building...

Halcro copper will do nothing with EMI on for RFI

Lawrence

Halcro, I would not expect copper per se to do much to absorb or block a magnetic field, except by virtue of its thickness which would just physically space the LP and the cartridge that much further away from the source. I am glad to hear your report on the comparison between the TT101 and the Raven. There are many in the audio community who say otherwise, and I never could figure out a scientific basis for their claim, that you need a very massy platter to have good bass reproduction. It seems to me that a combination of torque and well done speed control would be as good. If you will recall, Dertonearm once wrote here that at minimum, a platter MUST weigh 35 lbs for good bass.

Lharasim. Are you certain that copper is not an effective EMI shield? TI Shield, which is a documented effective EMI shield, is composed of three layers: copper/permalloy/copper. True, it does not work unless the copper surface is grounded. Perhaps it is the permalloy layer that does the work. I don't actually know.