The EAR Disc Master Magnetic table $13,500 (without arm) ear-usa.com
[See Review, last issue.] This design represents a breakthrough in turntables, and as such is probably the forerunner of a revolution in LP reproduction, and at this late date in the life of the vinyl disc. Hard on its heels is the $100k (plus) Clearaudio super-version of its magnetic drive, which could well be the EARs superior (not that I may ever know, since the Clearaudio folks were less than thrilled by my dismissal of the so-called Everest table, which struck me as a refinement of the companys sound without being an advance upon it).
Others will no doubt be in the works. (N.B., This use of magnets is not to be confused with the magnetic-bearing suspension systems used in the Verdier and Blue Pearl tables.) Here, the basic drive mechanism is a belt that spins a circular device that contains a powerful new-age magnet.
Once activated (and there are three useable speeds), another such device, attached to the platter, begins to spin because of the interaction of the magnets there is no physical contact between the two. What this means in terms of sound is that, for the first time, you dont hear the LP, an experience akin, I would suggest, to riding in a car whose wheels dont touch the road.
Its spooky, and the sound bears some semblance, in the lower frequencies, to that of tape or the compact disc, which are untroubled by noise artifacts originating from the standard and until now ubiquitous turntable-spinning
devices (from direct drives to belts). The gain in continuousness is dramatic and the increase in playback dynamics may surprise the unwary.
I cant say the system is without its cranks (what British product is?). In this case, the belt beganunbeknownst to meto stick, causing the platter to either stop spinning or, when manually helped along, to reverse directions. My equipment guy, Danny Gonzalez, fixed it with a bit of lube.
Im pretty sure there will be an argument over the very bottom octaves sound (meaning 20 to 32Hz), which the true believers in massive turntable platters will find (and in one instance have found) wanting here. And in comparison with the Blue Pearl $80k import from the British Isles, it is something well have to consider. So far, I think the overall balance of the sound from the table is preferable to a fat bottom end (shades of Botticelli!), but in a more direct comparison with this and the new 30-pound platter Harry Weisfeld has design for his HRX table, I may be otherwise convinced.
Make no mistake, though, this is the future.