Yamaha GT-5000 turntable

Referencing the esteemed turntables of the golden age of Hi-Fi, the GT-5000 expands on this heritage in the pursuit of pure musicality. Including a pure straight and short arm for absolute transparency and openness in sound, balanced signal path delivering absolute purity in signal transmission and design reflective of the GT heritage and absolute quality in craftsmanship and construction, the GT-5000 presents a new era on Hi-Fi from Yamaha

 

Features

Massive yet elegant heavy wooden chassis effectively serve to dampen vibration
Large, heavy double-structured platter for enhanced stability and performance
Heavy 5 kg Aluminium Platter
Custom belt-drive mechanism driven by 24-pole, 2-phase AC synchronous motor
Short, straight tonearm designed to deliver superior rigidity as well as a balanced weight
Specially-designed custom feet
XLR balanced output jacks that enable end-to-end balanced signal transfer from cartridge to speaker

 

 

Straight, Short Arm for Openness and Transparency in Sound

Accurately capturing the audio from the source is the imperative first step in delivering authentic, true, Hi-Fi sound. The flagship GT-5000 adopts a short, straight arm designed to deliver superior rigidity as well as balance of weight and mechanics which results in improved traceability. A rigid mechanism with simple construction means there is no need for an inside force canceler weight.

 

 

Customised Belt-drive for Stabilising Platter

The customised belt-drive mechanism of the GT-5000 minimises the influence of the motor cogging and excludes feedback control for an open and smooth sound. The original GT concept utilised the notion of internal mass to counter feedback control. This is built upon with the GT-5000 which negates feedback control through the belt-drive.

 

Specifications

Phono motor section

Drive System:  Belt drive

Motor Type:  AC synchronous motor

Motor Drive:  Crystal sine wave

Rotation Speeds:  33-1/3 and, 45 rpm

Rotation Speed Variation:   ±0.1%

Rotation Speed Adjustment:  Built-in crystal osc./strobe light

Adjustment Step:  0.1%

Adjustment Range:  ±1.5%

Wow and Flutter:  0.04% or less (W.R.M.S.)

Platter:  Aluminium

Diameter:  350 mm

Sub Platter:  Brass

Diameter: 143 mm

Tonearm Section

Type:  Static balance straight tonearm

Effective Arm Length:  223 mm

Overhang:  −17 mm

Acceptable Cartridge Weight (including head shell): 

Counter Weight Small :  16–23.5 g

Counter Weight Large :  23–34 g

Head Shell Weight:  14 g (including wires)

Audio Section

Output Analog Audio:
1 x RCA Phono Out

1 x XLR Phono Out

Power Supply: AC 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz

[Power Consumption:  15 W (While playing);  0.4 W (While stopped)

Weight:  26.8 kg

Dimensions (W × H × D):  546 × 223 × 411 mm (including feet and protrusions)

Allowable Operating Temperature:  10–35 °C

 

Luxman PD-191A turntable

LUXMAN introduces the PD-191A, a premium turntable system designed to replace the long running PD-171 series.

Savor the endlessly rich warmth of a piece of music and that special sense of time flowing differently when you play a cherished analog recording. PD-191A is a superb player capable of delivering the excellence of vinyl recordings playback experiences. Our newly developed, original tonearm, with extremely high initial sensitivity, uses a knife-edge vertical bearing system to realize those sensitive movements that make up the finest nuances of a musical moment. Combining a silent and refined DC motor belt-drive system supported by a robust power supply; PD-191A offers a truly high-fidelity and emotional vinyl listening experience.

 

Newly developed, completely original tonearm - the PD-191A is our LTA-710 static balanced tonearm which employs knife-edge bearing technology for excellent initial movement sensitivity.

 

Brushless DC motor and high-capacity power supply - The drive motor is one fundamental component of a belt-drive analog player where powerful and stable platter rotation is of paramount importance. The PD-191A features an original, high-precision, high-torque, brushless DC motor supported by a float-mounted, highly stable and fully regulated large-capacity power transformer that has been upgraded to higher specifications for today’s favored high-mass platters.

 

A heavyweight, high-mass platter with a huge moment of inertia - The platter chosen for the PD-191A is a 35mm-thick, 5.2kg heavyweight disk, machined from a single, extremely thick aluminum billet, precisely diamond cut and finished to exact surfaces which beautifully reflect light.

 

Elegant, timeless LUXMAN industrial design, featuring a wood front-panel and low center-of-gravity chassis - Our selection and finishing of the external and structural materials that make up the finished product are highly important to us as we feel that the listener’s operation of an analog player should be a tactile and visually satisfying experience.

Multiple integrated vibration damping structures

Three selectable rotation speeds with pitch control and stroboscope indicator

 

Specifications:

Drive System:  Belt drive system

Motor:  Brushless DC motor with PID control

Material:  Machined aluminum, Surface finish: Diamond cut

Revolution:  33 ⅓ rpm, 45 rpm, 78 rpm (3 speeds selectable)

Revolution Adjustment Range:  ±6% (each rotation speed adjustable independently)

Wow and Flutter:  0.04% or less (W.R.M.S.)

Platter Weight:  5.2 kg

Tonearm Section        

Type:  Static balanced, S shaped, universal type

Bearing:  Concealed vertical knife edge

Effective Length        :  256 mm

Overhang:  16 mm

Tracking Error Angle:  +1.07° to -1.52°

Applicable Cartridge Weight:  4 to 11 g (including headshell 17 to 24 g)

Adjustable Height Range:  22 mm

Anti-skating:  0 to 4 g

Power Source:  230 V～50 Hz / 115 V～60 Hz

Power Consumption:  5 W

Dimensions (W x H x D):  491 × 128 (to the upper surface of the platter) × 399 mm

Net Weight:  24.8 kg (main unit), 26.4 kg (with dust cover)

 

Magneplanar MG-II loudspeakers

We'd like to have a word with you. It's about Magneplanar loudspeakers. The word is "revolutionary". Revolutionary design concept; revolutionary sound reproduction, revolutionary beauty. In fact the Magneplanar system is patented because of the unique principles on which it operates. The Speaker are designed to be seen and not heard. So if you're listening to music, all you hear is music, not annoying vibrations from speaker cabinets and cavities. The first time you see Magneplanars you'll know something new is going on. They look like beautiful decorator screens. Or handsome room dividers. We know you've heard the word "revolutionary" before. But you've never heard anything like Magneplanars before.

 

What is Magneplanar?

The Magneplanar loudspeakers is a totally new type of loudspeaker. It is neither a cone type speaker, nor is it an electrostatic. The actual speaker itself is only about 1/8th inch thick. Its construction consist of a large area (planar) permanent magnetic field with a very thin film diaphragm stretched over it. The audio current is carried by conductors which are attached to the diaphragm in a zig-zag fashion.

As the audio current passes through the conductors, the interaction between the magnetic field around the conductors and the permanent planar magnetic field under them causes the entire diaphragm to pulsate. This creates sound waves in the air which is the sound your hear.

 

A few of the important characteristics of Magneplanars

Purely resistive impedance for ideal amplifier loading

Puts out same sound front and back (bi-polar radiator)

No cavity or cabinet wall resonance to colour sound.

Superior transient response throughout entire audio range due to low mass of diaphragm

Distortion level far below other loudspeakers because of complete control of diaphragm

Can be placed to look more like part of furnishings than a loudspeaker

56" long, 1-1/2" wide tweeter section provides horizontal sound dispersion previously unattainable

Fantastic power handling capability

Large radiating area provides width and height and depth of sound only equalled by live performances

The bi-polar radiation of Magneplanas provides a means of optimizing stereophonic and quadraphonic sound imaging.

 

Specifications

System:  Two-way full-range Magneplanar

Midrange/Bass Radiating Area:  500 sq. In

Tweeter Radiating Area:  85 sq. In

Frequency Response:  60 Hz to 18,000 Hz ±4 dB

Power Handling:  up to 200 watts RMS per channel (without equalization)

Minimum Power Required:  Depends of type of listening. If you are a background music listening, 15 - 25 watts might be sufficient. In most cases 40-50 watts is recommended

Efficiency:  85 dB SPL

Impedance:  6 Ω

Crossover System:  2400 Hz

Finish:  Walnut hard wood and light colored fabric

Dimensions (W x H x D):  22" x 71" x 2"

Weight:  41 pounds each

 

Vandersteen Model 3 loudspeaker

The Aligned Dynamic Design

The Model Three uses the proven Vandersteen Aligned Dynamic Design to optimize the dispersion and transient accuracy of the drivers while maintaining the input signal's time and phase integrity. The drivers, their positioning and their associated minimum baffles were developed with the aid of FFT computer analysis to minimise diffraction, cone break-up, multi-driver interference and out-of-band phase irregularities. The construction, alignment and positioning of the driven allow a point-source wave front and maximize the phase coherence of the loudspeaker at the listening position.

The Aligned Dynamic Design is used for the Model Three due to its many potential advantages:

Precise, more dimensional imaging and a wider listening area

A greater flexibility of placement options within the listening room and better "real word" transient response due to the lack of out-of-phase rear-wave cancellations.

A high level of genuine transparency and detail typical of planar speakers without the dege-clamping distortion that exist in all rectangular electrostatic and planar panels

Increased efficiency and improved dynamic range.

 

The components used in the Model Three combine durability and strength with innovative design and construction. The metal-alloy dome-tweeter is a dual-chamber design to improve range and linearity. It is critically damped to extend the high frequencies past audibility without the excessive ringing associated with open or underdamped metal dome tweeters. The alloy used for the dome was chosen for its superior strength and resistance to break-up compared to common dome materials.

With the application of years of experience in FFT computer analysis and research into the negative effects of diffraction, a unique, proprietary midrange driver has been developed that outperforms previous designs in several significant parameters. In conventional cone midrange, the acoustic energy from the back of the cone immediately strikes the front of the driver's magnet assembly and is reflected back through the cone and into the listening room.

This distorted secondary signal created by the internal diffraction smears the sound of the driver and inhibits true transparency. The frontal area of the magnet assembly on the Model Three midrange has been minimized through the use of advanced materials and construction techniques to reduce internal diffraction and the resultant distortion to inaudible levels. With the elimination of this distortion, the sound of the Model Three is cohesive and smooth with a level of inner resolution unequalled by other dynamic loudspeakers.

The active acoustic coupler and woofer use costly cast-metal baskets rather than more common stamped baskets. The cast-metal baskets inherent rigidity and superior vibration control increase cone movement accuracy and reduce sympathetic resonances for cleaner and more natural sound. Filled polycones are used on the woofer and midrange to insure higher internal stiffened and greater neutrality than woven plastic or treated paper cones. The stiff, low weight polycones resist flexing under all drive conditions for lower distortion and increased detail.

The dual-spider active acoustic coupler accurately complements the woofer to reduce box loss, thermodynamic loss and active/passive transfer nonlinearities. This novel Electro-Mechanically Optimized Woofer System provides powerful, detailed and extended bass response as the Model Three operates much more closely to the ideal than any conventional ported or passive design.

 

The crossover in the Model Three is comprised of transient-perfect, first-order networks designed to preserve the phase integrity of the music. It is compensated to allow the drivers to operate in absolute phase with each other for more precise and stable imaging than conventional multi-way speakers using out-of-phase drivers. The crossover's computer grade components, including low impedance air-core inductors and high-quality film capacitors in the signal path, are hand soldered on a double-sided, plated-through PC board tested to insure less than 0,1 dB deviation from a reference circuit. Custom 6N wire with polypropylene dielectric is used for internal wiring to maximize signal transfer.

The crossover is engineered for bi0wiring with a stereo amplifier or two monoblock amplifiers or passive vertical bi-amplification with two identical stereo amplifiers or four identical monoblock amplifiers. Inputs are heavy-duty screw terminals.

 

The baffles holding the drivers of the Model Three are as small as possible to eliminate virtually all of the early reflections that affect dynamic speakers with conventional flat or low diffraction baffles. Reducing both early reflections and edge diffraction improves the imaging and enhances the openness and transparency of the speaker.

The enclosure of the Model Three is constructed of MDF, a wood product far more dense and acoustically inhert than conventional particle-board. Broad-spectrum, low -Q resonances are controlled so as to cancel rather than become additive.

 

Specifications

Impedance:  6 Ω  nominal; 4 Ω  minimum

Efficiency:  89 dB with 1 watt of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis

Recommended Amplification:  100 to 200 watts per channel into 8 Ω .
The amplifier must be stable into a 4 Ω  load.

Frequency Response:

26 Hz to 30,000 Hz ±3 dB

30 Hz to 22,000 Hz ±1,5 dB by FFT step function

Dispersion:  26 Hz to 17 kHz ±3 dB 30degrees off axis

Crossover Frequencies:  600 Hz and 5 kHz First-order, 6 dB per octave

Input Connections:  2 pair of heavy duty screw terminals

Recommended Placement:  12-inches or more from the rear wall,

Cabinet Finish:  Hand-matched and finished natural oiled wood veneers

Dimensions (H x W x D):  48" x 16" x 10,25"

Weight:  88 lbs net

 

Sony TC756-2 reel-to-reel

The Sony TC756 set new records for performance of home tape decks.

Hirsch-Houck Laboratories further noted. "The dynamic range, distortion, flutter and frequency response performance are so far beyond the limitations of conventional program material that its virtues can hardly be appreciated".

 

The Sony TC756-2 features a closed loop dual capstan tape drive system that reduces wow and flutter to a minimum of 0,03% , logic controlled transport functions that permit the feather-touch control buttons to be operated in any sequence, at any time without spilling or damaging tape: an AC servo control capstan motor and an eight-pole induction motor for each of the two reels; a record equalization selector switch for maximum record and playback characteristics with either normal or special tapes; microphone attenuators that eliminate distortion caused by overdriving the microphone pre-amplifier stage when using sensitive condenser mics; tape/source monitoring switches that allow instantaneous comparison of program source to the actual recording; a mechanical memory capability that allows the machine to turn itself on and off automatically for unattended recording; and a full, two-year guarantee.

In addition, the TC756-2 offers 15 and 7-1/2 ips tape speeds; Ferrite & Ferrite 2-track/2-channel stereo three-head configuration; and symphase recording that allows you to record FM matrix or SQ** 4-channel sources for playback through a decoder-equipped 4-channel amplifier with virtually non-existent phase differences between channels.

The Sony TC756-2 is representative of the prestigious Sony 700 Series - the five best three-motor 10-1/2" reel home tape decks that Sony has ever engineered.

 

Specifications

Track System:  2-track 2-channel stereo (TC756-2); 4-track 2-channel stereo (TC756)

Reels:  270 mm (10-1/2 inches) or smaller

Tape Speed:  19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips), 38 cm/s (15 ips)

Recording Time:  with 1,100 m (3360 ft) tape of 270 mm (10-1/2 inch) reel

3-hours stereo recording at 19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips) :  TC756

1,5 hours stereo recording at 19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips) :  TC756-2

Heads:

TC576 Model

Record :  RF140-2902

Playback :  PF142-4202

TC756-2 Model

Record :  RF142-2202A

Playback :  PF142-2202A

Motors:

Capstan :  IC-624G (AC servo controlled)

Reel :  IC-638R (2)

Frequency Response (with Sony SLH tape):

20 - 35,000 Hz at 38 cm/s (15 ips)

30 - 30,000 Hz ±3 dB at 38 cm/s (15 ips)

20 - 30,000 Hz at 19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips)

30 - 25,000 Hz ±3 dB at 19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

TC756 Model

Sony SLH Tape :  56 dB

Standard Tape :  53 dB

TC756-2 Model

Sony SLH Tape :  59 dB

Standard Tape :  56 dB

Wow and Flutter

0,04% (RMS) weighted at 38 cm/s (15 ips)

0,06% (RMS) weighted at 19 cm/s (7-1/2 ips)

Overall Distortion:  1,2%

Record Bias Frequency:  approx 160 kHz

Input Sensitivity/Impedance

Mic :  0,19 mV (-72 dB) / low

Line In :  60 mV (-22 dB) / 100 k Ω

Output Level/Impedance

Line Out :  0,44 V (-5 dB) with 100 k Ω load  / 100 k Ω

Headphone :  8 Ω  Impedance

Rec/Power Bandwidth Connector (AEP, UK)

Input Impedance :  3,9 k Ω

Output Impedance :  8,2 k Ω

Semiconductors:  1 ICs; 2 FETs; 58 Transistors; 46 Diodes

AC Outlet (USA):  Unswitched, 300 W maximum

Power Requirements:  AC 120 V, 60 Hz (USA, Canada); AC 110, 127, 220 0r 240 V 50/60 Hz (AEP, UK)

Power Consumption:  100 W (USA); 110 W (AEP, UK, Canada)

Dimensions (W x H x D):  435 x 451 x 221 mm (17-1/8" x 17-3/4" x 8-3/4")

Weight:  24 kg (52 lb 14 oz)