Magnetic platter levitation isn't new, as some might have you believe. I introduced the Platine Verdier into the UK back in 1997 and Jean Verdier made the first production magnetic turntable many years before and everyone else just copied him. Verdier magnetically levitated the whole platter including the bearing. Absolutely no cogging at all as the circular magnets covers almost the whole diameter of the platter...
Naim Solstice officially unveiled . . .
- Thread starter Bob Edwards
- Start date
Magnetic platter levitation isn't new, as some might have you believe. I introduced the Platine Verdier into the UK back in 1997 and Jean Verdier made the first production magnetic turntable many years before and everyone else just copied him. Verdier magnetically levitated the whole platter including the bearing. Absolutely no cogging at all as the circular magnets covers almost the whole diameter of the platter...
Yes, all made and developed in house too though I may be mistaken there. Looks far nicer too imho but big, imposing and heavy still rules in the High End.
I still remember one of Projects entry (as in total entry) level TT's measuring as good as some £10k ueber engineered Audiophoolery TT's courtesy of PM's Testbench in HN& RR.
You can't make it up.
They are different design concepts. The LP12 has proper suspension that will isolate from 3Hz and above, whereas the Naim/Clearaudio is a solid design with minimal decoupling between the stand and the cartridge by comparison. The two will behave very differently especially with regard to footfall and acoustic feedback. The LP12 will be superior in this regard but it has the disadvantage that it requires checking and readjustment during servicing intervals, or when the cartridge is changed or replaced.
Tigerjones
Bagpuss
I tell you what, everyone must have a whole lot more money than me if they think £16,000 for a turnatable is reasonable.
fegs
pfm Member
Some think it's "a bargain" that's definitely what it isn't!
Bob Edwards
pfm Member
Ha!
I'm interested in @Alan Sircom thoughts on it.
It's a bit ironic that the Solstice *appears* to me to be pretty reasonably priced for what it is, given that I think Naim's retail prices in the US are absurdly high. Depends on how well it plays music, of course.
Joe Hutch
Mate of the bloke
They will illustrate their claim by pointing you towards turntables that cost fifty grand or more, and possibly make a comparison to how much women spend on shoes.
fegs
pfm Member
if you can afford it and want it, then why not?
But it aint a bargain
Don't get me started on shoes
Yes agree, they will be gone by the end of the day.
Very soon afterwards they will launch a non special edition for future availability
Beobloke
pfm Member
I’ve heard this footfall argument many times, so why is my experience in my own listening room exactly the opposite?
The room in question is an upstairs one with floorboards that are a bit springy. Any solid chassis turntables are absolutely fine on top of my rack in there, but my Michell Gyro SE is very footfall sensitive. Equally, when I reviewed the Thorens TD-1601 last year, I pretty much had to hold my breath when it was playing, otherwise the stylus went bouncing merrily across the LP!
pocketkitchen
Registered User
That’s not how OEM works though. Clearaudio will have priced the order by quantity and Naim either order or don’t. Therefore they have to sell it or they’re very exposed for a large amount of stock. I can’t think of another company of Naim’s size that would do it any differently. Embargoed info until the product is launch and stock on its way to the points of sale if not already there on release. That’s the theory anyway although the only companies I know of who routinely got it right were B&W and Sonos. I’m amazed Naim managed to keep it under wraps as long as they did!
linnfomaniac83
I bet you can’t wheelie a unicycle!
It’s all relevant, I have a £4k(ish) turntable, that’s a mixture of new and used bits, inclusive of cartridge and phono stage) (all new would be about £5.5k), most non audiophile people would think that’s beyond insane… but I think that’s reasonable because I paid it, I have the disposable income to buy it and I recognise the value in it. I don’t have the disposable income to buy a £16k turntable (not without some serious saving and sacrifice anyway), so for me, £16k isn’t a reasonable amount to spend, but if I earned double what I do now, I could probably buy one without a second thought… although if that were the case, I’d already have bought either a Klimax LP12 or an SME 20/3 long ago, but still…
If I were a Naim fanboi it would put me off, if I were spending 16k on a TT I'd want it to be Naim designed and built in-house instead of a farmed out rebadge.
Also, what's betting the Aro has virtually nothing in common with the original other than sharing a name and looking like one if you squint a bit? It will be a Clearaudio arm made to look like an Aro.
It screams nothing of being designed around a specific sound or theory and more about cashing in on a bit of nostalgia whilst hoovering up potentially the last big upgrade cash from the rich silver tops still clinging on.
PS I don't care that it is Naim, I'd have the same opinion whoever made it.
Craig B
Re:trophile
Neoprene? What, is it 1975 again?
"An optical feedback system continuously monitors platter speed, allowing the motor drive electronics to make very small adjustments in seconds - maintaining absolute correct speed and pitch accuracy for the life of the turntable."
In seconds? Really? No one will hear any pitch inaccuracies after seconds have elapsed! That's just way toooo loooooong.
Perhaps this is a marketing department/ad copy writing thing; if not, it begs the question as to whether or not anyone at Naim knows their analog from a hole in the ground these days?
Craig B
Re:trophile
Verdier copied the idea from Philips (yes, Philips) who featured opposing ring magnet levitation of a sleeved spindle platter in their GA 202 Electronic.
Amber Audio
This is the Day
Oxfords or Brogues?Don't get me started on shoes
Craig B
Re:trophile
You need to reduce moment of inertia by siting your spring suspension deck(s) on kids tables.
Tony L
Administrator
I suspect that the speed servo control is not attempting to correct wow and flutter at all, the platter mass addresses that, just long-term speed variations due to mains fluctuation, temperature etc. My guess is it’s more like an automated version of the fine-speed adjust on my TD-124, it isn’t trying to behave like a ‘70s lightweight DD system.