Soulution 787 Turntable – Quick Look

All Image Credit: Soulution

Soulutions of Switzerland have released a novel answer to linear tracking with their model 787 reference turntable. According to soulutions the 787 reference turntable is “engineered for audiophiles who demand nothing less than perfection” using a novel answer to linear tracking with a moving platter. According to soulutions this design eliminates the friction and unbalanced forces inherent with linear tracking tonearms, where lateral forces pull the arm toward the inner grooves. This unique design provides all the benefits of low friction pivoted tonearms, but without the issues of skating forces, tracking error, and alignment challenges of traditional pivoted tonearms.

Soulutions original approach of reducing tracking error to a minimum, <0.15°, is to create a linear tracking turntable that uses a moving platter and a minimal excursion pivoted tonearm, rather than the more conventional moving tangential arm and fixed platter.

The 787’s platter slides laterally to keep the 8-inch tonearm aligned with a linear tracking path. The complete platter subassembly consisting of the platter, the sub-platter with a high precision low friction sintered magnetic bearing and the platter drive motor with precious metal brushes. Sliding laterally underneath the tonearm on polished axles, ensures that the tracking error remains minimal from the outermost to the innermost groove of the vinyl record.

The tonearm is mounted on an isolated, resonance-controlled sub-chassis and combines the advantages of linear and pivoted tonearms. There are no tracking forces exerted on the tonearm neither are there any issues with skating forces or tracking errors etc. Ultra precise inductive proximity sensors monitor the tonearm position and control the motor for the lateral movement of the platter which ensures that the tracking error always < +/- 0.15°. The tonearm features precious metal alloy tonearm cables and is adjustable for VTA and azimuth. When the platter moves into parking position the tonearm swivels out for comfortable exchange of the vinyl record.

Power is provided by an internal switched mode power supply with highly efficient DC-DC converters that use extremely low-noise and fast linear regulators to generate all the voltages required for the 787 turntable.

Highlights At A Glance:

• Linear tracking with a moving platter and a minimal excursion pivoted tonearm.
• Tracking error is reduced to max. < 0.15°.
• 8inch tonearm, compatible with high compliance cartridges, is mounted on an isolated, resonance controlled sub-chassis.
• Platter slides laterally to keep the pivoted tonearm aligned with a linear tracking path.
• The architecture eliminates the friction and unbalanced forces inherent with linear tracking tonearms where the arm is pulled toward the inner grooves by lateral forces on the outer edge of the record’s groove.
• Provides all the benefits of low friction pivoted tonearms, but without the issues of skating forces, tracking error, and alignment challenges of traditional pivoted tonearm.

MSRP:

• US: TBA
• UK: TBA
• EU: €72,300 approx.
• Switzerland: CHF 67,500

For more information visit the soulutions web site.

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• Vinyl Turntable Drive Techniques
• Tonearms 101 – An Introduction
• Turntable Motor Noise and Vibration