Ariston Transcription RD80 SL

 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