1) Is the MS Electrically Shielded?

The MS is shielded very well, both electrically and magnetically. The bearing is also grounded through a copper braided ground strap which in turn grounds the spindle and the platter. Magnetic shielding is supplied by a motor pod.

2) Some turntables have several pulleys. The belt rides in these idler pulleys. What is the reason for these pulleys?

These are idler pulleys and they only add noise.

3) What is an Oil Well Bearing?

In most automobile engines the crank shaft spins up to 6,000 plus rpm while undergoing tremendous side loads. But the engine will last 100,000 miles. The reason for this is that the crankshaft journal is centered in the bearing surface. The metal parts (crankshaft and bearings) are separated by a film of oil, thus making no metal to metal contact. Oil Film bearings have two distinct advantages - extremely long life and the lowest noise output. (Note): Oil impregnated or plastic self lubricating bearings are not the same as oil film bearings.

Our bearing uses the principle of oil film and was developed with the specific emphasis applied to use in a turntable. The side load is on surface of calculated size to handle the load, but not large enough to cause drag. A proprietary boring process is utilized to promote fluid migration. The oil pressure derived from viscous migration holds the platter shaft totally rigid in the center of the bearing. The belt's elasticity side loads the bearing. The downward thrust load is concentrated on a very small area created by two chrome-hardened balls running together - one of which is 5 times larger than the other. This small contact area makes for insignificant drag. The whole bearing runs in an oil well (sump). One of the secrets to our bearing is the oil (black looking) - a proprietary oil. If maintained properly, the bearing should last several lifetimes. The MS bearing generates such a low amount of noise that it is considered to be one of the quietest in the industry.

4) Why Use a plinth(base)? Why Not Build an Open Air Sub chassis Turntable?

The plinth(base) has two purposes.

The prevention of airborne acoustic energy from reaching the sub chassis is of paramount importance. Turntables without a sub chassis (a big piece of wood or plastic with a platter and a tone arm) are at a distinct disadvantage because airborne energy * will enter the plinth(base) and propagate to the arm and bearing. In a suspension type turntable the sub chassis is shielded from the intrusion of airborne energy.

*Airborne acoustic energy is sound energy that is traveling through the air and is of a large amplitude. This is the same energy that shakes the furniture and walls.

To provide a platform for the sub chassis to suspend from.

5) What is the Function of a Motor Pod?

Its function is to help dissipate magnetic energy generated by the motor and to isolate the vibrations of the motor from the base. It also houses the motor damping fluid.

6) Why Not Build a Vacuum Platter?

We built a vacuum platter for test purposes and found several disadvantages. Among the disadvantages were the high maintenance; higher failure rate; inability to change mats; leak down problems; pulsing of the record if used with a continuously running pump. In answer to these problems we developed our periphery clamping system.

7) What Does the Periphery Clamp do Besides Hold the Record in Contact with the Mat?

The record vinyl will vibrate as the stylus traces it. This energy radiates in all directions from the point of generation (where the stylus contacts the groove). As the energy strikes the outer edge of the record, it has no where to go but to reflect back into the record, thus causing distortion. This type of distortion causes loss of clarity, detail and imaging. Our periphery clamp is designed using proprietary material with a certain amount of mass and area to have a resonance control band width that absorbs energy before it has a chance to be reflected back into the record. This results in better sound through lower distortion. Therefore, the primary function of the periphery clamp is to absorb energy that is generated by stylus to groove contact and the secondary purpose is to hold the record flat against the mat. The physical shape, size and density, material type, and construction of the periphery clamp are such that it performs both functions.

8) What Type of Belt is Used and Why?

The MS turntable uses a flat drive belt. We chose a crowned pulley rather than a belt guide to center the belt since we found that belt guides generate noise. Also, a flat belt on a crown pulley is self-centering. Therefore when changing speeds it will automatically run straight. In experimenting with round and V belts we found these belts to generate noise by scrapping the sidewalls as they enter or leave the pulley groove. The belt's length and type of material make what we call its critical elasticity. The drive belt has two functions; one is to drive the platter via the motor and, two to act as a filter. The first chore of the belt is fairly simple, the second not so simple. If the belt is too long the platter can oscillate excessively and wow is enhanced. A similar consequence occurs when a weight is hung from a rubber band. The longer the rubber band the springier it will be. The belt also acts as a low pass filter (the belt can also vibrate in sympathy with motor impulse if not designed properly) and the longer it is the better job of filtering it will do. So we have striven to find the best length and material to minimize wow and maximize filter action of the belt. A Note of Interest: Non-resilient belt material (silk-fishing line, etc.) will pass motor noise to a very large degree.

9) Is The MS Turntable Designed for Ease of Service?

In a rural area or in an area of the country where dealer support is not available, ease of servicing is a very critical aspect in purchasing a turntable. A turntable is the most difficult audio item to ship. The arm must be removed, the table must be packed and shipped; then upon return the arm must be replaced and everything set up and adjusted again. We have solved this problem with our modular construction, meaning that any component part of the MS turntable can be replaced in a matter of minutes. For example, if the motor needs to be replaced for some reason or an update is to be performed, a total of 5 screws hold the motor, motor wire through put plug, p-clip then the motor unplugs. The motor system can be removed and replaced in less than five minutes. This capability is also very useful in the instance when the owner wishes to do his own updates and service.