View Full Version : Is this for real?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/245727224/mag-lev-audio-the-first-levitating-turntable
Claims to have raised over half a million dollars development funding.
Yes, it's real enough, but it looks to me like a solution looking for a problem. The platter sits on a magnetic field with no mechanical contact. Probably keeps it well isolated from external vibration, but in order to get an accurate transfer of the groove modulation, they need to keep the platter rotational axis stable relative to the arm down to the micron level, which seems pretty unlikely!
Cool as a cool thing, though.
you get the feeling a slight nudge or breath of air would move it enough to jump. cool toy but probably just that
How can they get a magnet so strong so near the phono cartridge? Mag lev is not new, but previous 'tables I've read about the gap was only 1mm or so. It works like a mag lev train moving on a track, just a lot smaller. I can imagine it could conceivably remove all wow and flutter, and I'm sure speed control is rather exact. But the magnetic field required for that huge gap seems like it could cause problems. Paper clips and metal bits flying about, pulling down or picking up on the phono cartridge?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
walpurgis
24-05-2017, 09:53
Lots to go wrong.
Spectral Morn
24-05-2017, 10:24
Yes real and working. Launched at Munich 2017 I saw footage on You Tube the other day.
iRRKmTYJ5xo
farflungstar
24-05-2017, 10:29
Oligarchs and superstars form a queue here....
Oligarchs and superstars form a queue here....
would imagine its a pretty levitated price:D
I'm a bit disappointed that the arm still needs a lift/lower device. Surely the platter should rise up to meet the cartridge, ideally in a cloud of dry ice?
Beobloke
24-05-2017, 11:59
Yes, it's real, it works and I saw it in the flesh at Munich. Also, you dont need to be an oligarch - suggested price is 1200 Euros.
With my sensible hat on, there are probably turntables that will sound better for less money and if one of the many magnets or sensors has a funny five minutes there's potential for things to go a bit awry and for your precious LP to go flying across the room.
But, do you know what? I don't care. It's not just another re-badged Hanpin effort and is a proper work of engineering, truly different and a bit daft. Maybe it will turn out to be another Strathearn or similar but I hope not because, above all, I REALLY want one! :D
RothwellAudio
24-05-2017, 12:28
Maybe it will turn out to be another Strathearn or similar ...
What's a Strathearn?
http://www.lothar-kissinger.de/lecson-audio/image/strathearn/t_sma2-black02.jpg
A manufacturer of turntables/tonearms of the '80s, set up I believe with a UK government grant. No longer in business.
Arkless Electronics
24-05-2017, 12:50
Yep... The turntables sometimes ran backwards! They made a very interesting full range driver of unusual design, which I heard a prototype of and it was very good. I don't think it went any further than demo-ing this at a few shows before the company folded when gov money was withdrawn.
Yep... The turntables sometimes ran backwards! They made a very interesting full range driver of unusual design, which I heard a prototype of and it was very good. I don't think it went any further than demo-ing this at a few shows before the company folded when gov money was withdrawn.
Ah - what they needed was a lever-style switch to 'kick start' the TT in the right direction (as in the Connoisseur BD1/2 designs). :lol:
Spectral Morn
24-05-2017, 13:32
What's a Strathearn?
A short live audio company based in Northern Ireland, that turned out turntables that ran backwards (lol) and other bits and bobs. A real waste of tax payers money.
RothwellAudio
24-05-2017, 13:49
Ah yes, I remember hearing about a company from Norther Ireland that made turntables that ran backwards :doh: I didn't remember the name.
Beobloke
24-05-2017, 13:58
The strange thing was that I had a Strathearn once and the damn thing wouldn't run backwards no matter how hard I tried to make it. I was a little disappointed, to be honest! As an aside, despite one fairly daft design flaw, I actually thought it was rather better than everyone gave it credit for.
On the other hand, this is in complete contrast to the miserable Connoisseur BD1 that I owned, which spent more time running backwards than forwards. Just one of the many reasons I detest the things with a passion...
the little audio company
24-05-2017, 14:02
I watched a quick video yesterday which showed it in action. They very gently nudged the platter - obviously it kept on going and kept on playing, but it continued the same wobble for ages until it naturally worked its way out. I personally thought that wasn't good.
walpurgis
24-05-2017, 14:05
The strange thing was that I had a Strathearn once and the damn thing wouldn't run backwards no matter how hard I tried to make it
Mine wouldn't either.
The strange thing was that I had a Strathearn once and the damn thing wouldn't run backwards no matter how hard I tried to make it. I was a little disappointed, to be honest! As an aside, despite one fairly daft design flaw, I actually thought it was rather better than everyone gave it credit for.
On the other hand, this is in complete contrast to the miserable Connoisseur BD1 that I owned, which spent more time running backwards than forwards. Just one of the many reasons I detest the things with a passion...
Why? I thought that was the purpose of the lever switch, which via a rubber-tipped peg, 'kicked' the platter to turn in the right direction on switch on.
I actually thought it was rather better than everyone gave it credit for...
if you consider that we developed the TT2 with a budget of around three grand and Strathearn were given twelve million, it bloody well should have been!
walpurgis
24-05-2017, 16:04
They made a very interesting full range driver of unusual design, which I heard a prototype of and it was very good. I don't think it went any further than demo-ing this at a few shows before the company folded when gov money was withdrawn.
I thought that was a wide band isodynamic type that needed a bass driver? I recall seeing something of the sort.
Beobloke
24-05-2017, 16:44
Why? I thought that was the purpose of the lever switch, which via a rubber-tipped peg, 'kicked' the platter to turn in the right direction on switch on.
That was indeed the purpose, and that's exactly my point. In my opinion, a properly designed turntable with a half decent motor does not need to be 'guided' in the right direction!
Ah yes, I remember hearing about a company from Norther Ireland that made turntables that ran backwards :doh: I didn't remember the name.
My LP12 also ran backwards after I got if back from Radfords when they set it up for my new Lingo in the early 90s! They fixed it in a couple of days but it was the second problem I had with that retailer in quick succession so I never used them again.
The sales video is hilarious! New era of innovation, and all that. And jeez, how much did that advert cost in the first place? The location alone would blow most budgets...
https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2646208/video-713838-h264_high.mp4
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.