Increased
efficiency in our new factory, together with new production methods, have
enabled us to introduce the new RD80 into a price range much lower than was
hitherto thought practical for a quality turntable. The RD80
maintains the Ariston philosophy of excellence of design, together with top
class performance. It has the capacity to extract the maximum amount of
information from the disc.
Like our
other models the RD80 is entirely gimmick-free, and provides simply the best
platform for carrying a vinyl disc without allowing that disc or any other
extraneous energy sources to interfere with the stylus-to-groove interface.
The RD80 -
quite the finest value turntable available "today".
" At something
like 2/3 the cost of its luxury finish brother the 110 , the RD80 sacrificies
little considering the price difference. The finish is plainer, but nonetheless
the plinth is wood veneered and the machined alloy pkatter weighs 2,45 kg. A
single large pulley and foolprof drive runs at a 33-1/3 rpm via a conventional
rubber belt, the three point sprung steel subchassis successfully isolating the
platter/arm system from environmental disturbance.
Although
improved since last reviewed, setting up is still time consuming, though helped
by using underside bolts accessible without removing the bottom cover. Possibly
as a result of the reduced platter mass, this deck was more stable in its set
up and remained so for longer than the Rd110. The plinth will accept some of
the longer arms, and the lid is a generously thick dark-tinted PVC moulding."
"Performingwell
on the labtests, wow and flutter, torque, rumble, start up time and speed error
were all very good for the class and type of deck. A trace of 100 Hz motor breakthrough was
however present, measuring -65 dB unweighted.
The sensible flat mat gave an above average disc impulse result. If anything its isolation and acoustic
rejection were superior to those of the 110, probably because of the more
stable subchassis behaviour, and good to very good results were obtained here.
Sound
Quality
In tonal
balance the RD80 was judged quiete good with a well integrated character, if
slightly dull. The sound field was quite
secure and stable,demonstrating fairly good bass as well as a precise
image, with good focus and fair depth - all strong plus points at the price."
Resonance
Isolation
Optimum
resonance isolation is achieved in all Ariston turntables. Relatively slow
running AC syncgronous 24-pole motors now extensively used in audiophile
turntables were first introduced by Ariston in 1969. the motor are completely divorced from the
subchassis and tone arm assembly. All frequencies are therefore contained
within an innocous area.
The
Sub-Chassis
We construct
the sub-chassis in precision pressed heavy gauge steel or aluminium which is
perfectly flat on all planes. The
bearing housing and the tone arm board are rigidly mounted to the sub-chassis.
The entire assmbly is isolated and has a natural frequency in the area of 4 Hz.
The Tone Arm
Board
The Ariston
tone arm board is protected from
damaging infrasonic frequencies in the area of 7 - 16 Hz, which are set up by
the arm's oscillation. These frequencies are moved to a lower harmless value by
the use of acoustically dead materials.
The Platter
All Ariston
platters incorporate peripheral mass distribution which, by maintaining a
flywheel effect, smooth out the undesirable effects of wow and flutter. It should also be noted that the parameters
of wow amd flutter by which turntables are commonly judged, does not indicate
the turntable.s ability to retrieve information.
The Belt
Drive
In a
no-compromise turntable, designed for maximum isolation, any other method of
drive is totally unacceptable. The flat neoprene belt precision ground to a
fine finish isolates the disc-carrying platter from the motor. A flat belt is
employed for absolute speed stability - a round belt can twist and thereby
create wow. Direct drive does not
isolate, due to the fact that it cannot be de-coupled from the platter. This
creates resonance at the vinyl/stylus interface.
The Main
Bearing
Our shaft
bearing is unoque. Before we go on to explain why, it would be helpful for you
to remember that a piece of cigarette paper measures one thousandth of an inch
in thickness.
The bearing
has to eliminate vertical movement which manifests itself as rumble (a low
Growl) through the speakers. Ariston turntables have a typical rumble figure of
-74 dB weighted. Any figure in excess claimed by other manufactures must be
treated with some degree of scepticism due to the environment and the
inadequacies of test equipment currently available.
The shaft is
precision ground from hardened high tensile chrome steel to within a tolerance
of ± .0003 inches. That is two tents of one thousendth of an inch. One fifth
the thickness of a cigarette paper.
The surface
finish is a mirrorlike 4 - 6 microns and the hardness is to 64° rockwell.
The shaft
rest on a spherically precise captive ball for single point contact.
The bearing
hpusing is honed to perfectly amtch the shaft.
Take the
belt off an Ariston turntable and turn the hub and platter by hand.
Note how
friction free the entire assembly is - it
will simply run on and on and on.
Features
RD80SL
Two speed
manual 33-1/3 and 45 prm
A.C.
Synchronous Motor
Two piece
fully machined concave platter with record clamp.
Precision
made single point bearing.
Closed
transmission loop isolation.
Real wood
veneered acoustically damped board cabinet and metal base.
Access
points for adjustment and adjustable feet.
Specifications
Type: Belt drive
Speed
Options: 33-1/3 rpm
Absolute
Speed Error: +0,35%
Speed Drift
(1 hour/load variation):
Synchronous/-0,15%
Wow and
Flutter (DIN): 0,07%
Rumble (DIN
B): -76,5 dB
Start Up
Time To Audible Stabilisation: 3,5 sec.
Platter
Mass: 2,45 kg (good damping)
Type of
Mains Lead: 3 core
Connecting
leads: Phono + earth
Vibration
Sensitivity/Shock Resistance:
Good/fairly good
Hum Level
and Acoustic Feedback: Very good
Acoustic
Breakthrough and Resonances: Very good
Subjective
Sound Quality: Good
Finish and
Engineering: Very good
Size (W x D
x H): 445 x 360 x 170 mm
Clearance
for Lid Rear: 40 mm
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