Ariston RD80 SL Turntable / SME 3009 Series II Improved Tonearm

Ariston RD80 SL

Increased efficiency in our new factory, together with new production methods, have enabled us to introduce the new RD80 into a price range much lower than was hitherto thought practical for a quality turntable. The RD80 maintains the Ariston philosophy of excellence of design, together with top class performance. It has the capacity to extract the maximum amount of information from the disc.
Like our other models the RD80 is entirely gimmick-free, and provides simply the best platform for carrying a vinyl disc without allowing that disc or any other extraneous energy sources to interfere with the stylus-to-groove interface. The RD80 - quite the finest value turntable available "today".
Optimum resonance isolation is achieved in all Ariston turntables. Relatively slow running AC synchronous 24-pole motors now extensively used in audiophile turntables were first introduced by Ariston in 1969. The motors are completely divorced from the subchassis and tone arm assembly. All frequencies are therefore contained within an innocuous area.
We construct the sub-chassis in precision pressed heavy gauge steel or aluminium which is perfectly flat on all planes. The bearing housing and the tone arm board are rigidly mounted to the sub-chassis. The entire assembly is isolated and has a natural frequency in the area of 4 Hz.
The Ariston tone arm board is protected from damaging infrasonic frequencies in the area of 7 - 16 Hz, which are set up by the arm's oscillation. These frequencies are moved to a lower harmless value by the use of acoustically dead materials.
All Ariston platters incorporate peripheral mass distribution which, by maintaining a flywheel effect, smooth out the undesirable effects of wow and flutter. It should also be noted that the parameters of wow and flutter by which turntables are commonly judged, does not indicate the turntables ability to retrieve information.
In a no-compromise turntable, designed for maximum isolation, any other method of drive is totally unacceptable. The flat neoprene belt precision ground to a fine finish isolates the disc-carrying platter from the motor. A flat belt is employed for absolute speed stability - a round belt can twist and thereby create wow. Direct drive does not isolate, due to the fact that it cannot be de-coupled from the platter. This creates resonance at the vinyl/stylus interface.
Our shaft bearing is unique. Before we go on to explain why, it would be helpful for you to remember that a piece of cigarette paper measures one thousandth of an inch in thickness.
The bearing has to eliminate vertical movement which manifests itself as rumble (a low growl) through the speakers. Ariston turntables have a typical rumble figure of - 74 dB weighted. Any figure in excess claimed by other manufactures must be treated with some degree of scepticism due to the environment and the inadequacies of test equipment currently available.
The shaft is precision ground from hardened high tensile chrome steel to within a tolerance of ± .0003 inches. That is two tents of one thousandth of an inch. One fifth the thickness of a cigarette paper.
The surface finish is a mirrorlike 4 - 6 microns and the hardness is to 64° rockwell. The shaft rests on a spherically precise captive ball for single point contact. The bearing housing is honed to perfectly match the shaft.
Take the belt off an Ariston turntable and turn the hub and platter by hand. Note how friction free the entire assembly is - it will simply run on and on and on.

SME Model 3009 Series II Tonearm

SME Model 3009 Series II Improved precision pick-up arms combine latest design features with the same high quality engineering and finish that made their predecessors famous for more than a decade. Each arm is meticulously built and tested and will meet its specification reliably through many years of service. Skilful design and choice of materials combine high mechanical strength with low inertia and friction ensuring full suitability for professional as well as domestic application. Technically correct and aesthetically satisfying the SME has been called “The best pick-up arm in the world” and we believe you will find this to be true.
Sensitivity and strength combine with versatility to ensure the continuing popularity of the Series II Improved design which is available In two versions.
Model 3009/S2 is the standard arm having a typical pivot to stylus distance of 231.2 mm. Average effective mass is 12.5 grams. It is the one most frequently used and has a detachable headshell, S2, which is interchangeable with others of similar pattern.
Model 3009 is generally similar, but the headshell is non-detachable, saving weight and reducing the average effective mass to 9.5 grams. This can provide better matching for high compliance cartridges by raising the system resonance above the critical 5 - 8 Hz region in which excitation by record warp occurs.
Both models have a polished bright-anodised aluminium tone arm 9.5 mm diameter with a wall thickness of 0.56 mm. A fibrous lining assists the dissipation of acoustic information.
The S2 headshell is pressed from aluminium alloy, rationally perforated for lightness and strength.
Series II Improved arms are compact and easily adjustable. Their balance range can be widened if desired with one or another of the accessory weights offered for the purpose.
Straightforward design makes them a popular choice with enthusiasts and professional users throughout the world. Each arm is meticulously built and tested and will meet its specification reliably for many years.

Ariston RD80 SL
Type: Belt drive
Two speed manual 33.3 and 45 rpm
A.C. Synchronous Motor
Two piece fully machined concave platter with record clamp
Precision made single point bearing
Closed transmission loop isolation
Real wood veneered acoustically damped board cabinet and metal base
Access points for adjustment and adjustable feet
Dimensions: 445 (W) x 360 (D) x 170 (H) mm

SME Model 3009 Series II Tonearm
Low friction pivots
Vertical axis: high-precision, fully protected ballraces
Horizontal axis: 0.005” radius knife-edges rolling in planished chrome seating’s
Less than 0.02 gram applied at the stylus will deflect the arm
Low inertia
Fixed elements of the balance system are light
Movable elements are heavy and close to the fulcrum
Precise tracking force up to 1.5 grams applied without a tracking force gauge
Bias adjustable to correspond with tracking force
Base slides on bedplate for tracking adjustment with protractor
Fluid damped lowering and raising control
Audio Cable: 1.22 m RCA Phono plugs
Dimensions
Nominal Length: 231.2 mm (pivot to stylus)
Distance From Bedplate Centre To Turntable Centre: 215.4 mm
Tracking adjustment: ± 12.7 mm
Overall Height: 60.3 - 79.3 mm

Turnaround

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