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Mag Lev Turntable. Your Thoughts?

One is for sale on Audiogon. Very cool BUT, I can think of a bunch of potential problems. My instinct says it is showmanship but not having actually played with one who knows? Anybody have any experience with the Mag Lev?
The first problem would be that magnetic fields are not solid. They are squishy. What happens when you play different weight records. What about a record clamp? The tonearm is fixed to the plinth. If the height of the platter changes the VTA changes. If the platter bounces at all it will cause rather rapid speed variations. What about those powerful magnetic fields right under cartridges. Looking at the video the platter certainly is not machined very well.
Is it really worth the trouble. Good tables make very little noise. 99% of it is coming from the record itself. My inclination is that the platter should be on a solid footing.
128x128mijostyn

Showing 1 response by br3098

br3098
969 posts
 
Cool concept, stupid product.  Why?  Two reasons:

1- By using a magnetic "bearing", the platter is not held completely captive as if by using a hard bearing.  The platter slips and slides around.  They have done a fair job of isolating the platter but if you demo one push against the platter.  It moves.  This is cool but it aint good turntable design.

2- The last thing you want anywhere near any phono cartridge (other than a strain gauge type) is a strong magnetic field.  What holds this platter up in the air?  TWO strong magnetic fields.  'nuff said.

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