Your Opinions Of The Mag Lev Turntable?

[Phil Lawton]

There is/was a company, Clearaudio maybe, who used a sub-platter with magnets that floated the main platter and also spun to create the drive to main platter as well. Still had a vertical bearing. It was about 10 years ago, so I might have remembered it wrong.

Almost right - the platter is suspended by opposing magnets, revolves around a ceramic spindle and is belt-driven by an off-board motor.

Completely silent in operation.

[Edward]

Speaking of alternative turntables has anyone heard the ELP laser pickup TT?

http://www.elpj.com/

Apparently $15k but only direct order so pricing may be different.

[alphaGT]

I was briefly reading that they are on offer on really high end systems. I think the Mag Lev introduces more issues then it solves. How would a giant magnetic field work with a MC cartridge?

That’s exactly what I was thinking, what effect does this huge magnetic field have on the cartridge?

Russell

[struth]

think they follow the inverse square law, ie, double the distance, the quarter the effect. i had a big magnet on end of my tonearm as a weight and over the length of arm there was no effect on a mc cart

[YNWaN]

If done correctly, there is no ‘huge magnetic field’. What there is is a small localised magnetic field that is primarily vertical in nature. I’ve been using a version of a magnetic bearing for many years and am certain there is no issue with using a MC. In addition, the majority of Tranquility owners also use MC cartridges and not one issue has ever arisen.

[alphaGT]

If done correctly, there is no ‘huge magnetic field’. What there is is a small localised magnetic field that is primarily vertical in nature. I’ve been using a version of a magnetic bearing for many years and am certain there is no issue with using a MC. In addition, the majority of Tranquility owners also use MC cartridges and not one issue has ever arisen.

I know magnetic bearings are nothing new, and as you describe, a small localized magnetic repulsion right at the spindle is plenty safe. But this turntable here has the entire platter flying an inch off the plinth! Quite something else. But, apparently it works or they couldn’t sell it?

[Bigbird]

Been using the Tranquility on my lp12 for about 6months now and it is a fantastic upgrade. Like you say, no interference with MC cart, very localised, and really does get you deeper into the mix with the music. Highly recommended and come up regularly on the forums so can be had cheap enough to try it out and move it on if its not to your liking... you wont be moving it on though, I promise you.


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[Stratmangler]

Speaking of alternative turntables has anyone heard the ELP laser pickup TT?

http://www.elpj.com/

Apparently $15k but only direct order so pricing may be different.

Yes, a long time ago at a Hi-Fi show somewhere.
There's no stylus tracing noise, but it does read crud in the groove, so your records need to be spotless.
They used to supply a RCM as part of the deal.

[curry49]

Have you seen this before? I thought it would already have a mention on AOS.

Crowd funded to double the asking price its certainly eye catching. It should on paper reduce rumble to zero. I dont know how practical it is to use or whether its worth the cost. Rumble isnt obtrusive on decks costing less than this. Costs about £2800

Its cheaper than the Mcintosh Mt5 though.

Just wondered what AOS members thought about it

It's magic, I tell ya. Witchcraft. Hocus-Pockey..., or some such thing