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After successfully stimulating the resurgence of affordable hi-fi in
recent years, Cambridge Audio has now introduced a turntable to complement
its range. The TT50 has been developed in partnership with respected
turntable manufacturer Pro-Ject using some key Cambridge Audio innovations to
produce outstanding vinyl reproduction at the price. The TT50 will set any
record collection free.
The foundation of the TT50’s excellence is its elastomer coated acrylic
platter. Developed at Cambridge Audio’s research and development
headquarters, this design carefully controls resonance and provides matched
acoustic impedance to the vinyl record for maximum detail retrieval. The elastomer
paint also allows the platter to ‘grip’ the weighted sub platter which
provides the necessary inertia to both provide rock solid timing and act
against the forces at the stylus/record interface for retrieval of deep bass.
As the platter has an elastomer coating there is no need for the more common
felt mat and so any unnecessary influence is reduced.
Cambridge Audio’s proprietary arm and head shell are cast as one piece of
precision aluminium, intrinsically reducing resonance with fewer parts
involved. The fitted Audio Technica AT95E is a classic design
high-specification half-inch mount moving magnet cartridge chosen by
Cambridge Audio after extended auditioning as it offers a synergistic clear,
dynamic and richly balanced sound.
The TT50 benefits from a magnetic anti-skating bias adjustment which applies
a non-contact force to the arm counteracting the natural force applied by the
record as the stylus is forced towards the centre of the spiraling groove.
Anti-skate also ensures that the average pressure on both sides of the stylus
is equal ensuring best stereo separation and tracking ability.
The one speed motor is optimized for both 33 and 45rpm respectively by moving
the belt between two pulleys. The motor is isolated to float freely,
minimizing vibration as well as producing a more coherent sound.
High quality gold phono/RCA connections are used in the TT50 for the best
possible signal transfer and to allow choice of interconnect, without the
usual compromised captive arm lead.
The TT50’s chassis is made from MDF with a high gloss finish applied and
affords control of noise and resonance, something which is further
underpinned by the simple but effective acoustic isolation feet. The TT50 is
designed to work with Cambridge Audio’s existing range of products including
amplifiers and well regarded phono stages such as the Azur 640P but of course
other phono stages and cartridges can be used and the manual gives full
details on cartridge replacement, alignment and set-up and includes a
protractor to make this process relatively simple. All this gives a firm
basis for outstanding playback from a treasured but perhaps underused LP
collection!
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