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Clearaudio " Innovation" - What?

Clearaudio has been around for a while and has quite a few well made models to cater for different ends of the vinyl market. I've noted their most recent models are called CA Innovation wood turntables which looks quite attractive where as I find most of their past acrylic models unappealing.

Calling their new model "Innovation" is a bit pretentious perhaps. I'm just wondering what true innovations has Clearaudio brought to the vinyl playback over the years? I'm curious to learn from those who has more knowledge on the subject.
jaspert
lbelchev
64 posts
 
I think these are innovations for Clearaudio turntables, not inovations in vinyl playback generally. What new (for Clearaudio) we can find in Ovation, Innovation Compact and Innovation at first sight?

1. DC-motors (instead AC synchronous motors);
2. OSC motor control mode;
3. Sub-platters - aluminium in Ovation and solid stainless steel in Innovation;
4. The main platters are made out of POM (instead GS-PMMA / acrylic).

Several years ago Linn did the "innovations" #1 and #2 as well.
lbelchev
64 posts
 
5. Ovation contains another innovation - an internal 'mat' comprising approximately 100.000 tiny stainless steel balls - to soak up resonance and turn it into heat.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
There is also a new "Master" innovation (which I will receive shortly). In addition to the ceramic magnetic bearing, it will also employ a similar magnetic drive setup that is used on their statement table ($140,000). Not bad for $24k.
sonicbeauty
324 posts
 
...then again, there are countless ''innovations'' that more or less contribute more to techno blaber than actual AUDIBLE results. Many of those innovations carry fancy names to describe technologies that are shared by many, but that sound unique just because it was given a unique name by a manufacturer. Manufacturers of HD televisions are well-known to having doing this a lot in recent years....as far as audio - think ''HD'' sound. Cracks me up every time !
jaffeassc
166 posts
 
I’m not sure what they have brought to the “table” in years past is as important as what they currently bring with their new line-up. I do know after listening to the new Ovation that the term Innovation they use to describe their new line is, in my opinion, very apropos and much more than just marketing hype.
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