Clearaudio, in the audiophile world a legendary maker of magnetic levitation turntables, has teamed up with iconic audio manufacturer ELAC to build a combined playback system for vinyl records which integrates their core technologies. Magnetics play a prominent role in the contributions of both companies, as they are also used in the high-performance sound drivers by ELAC.
Central to the system is clearaudio’s turntable. It is designed with the innovative, magnetically suspended concept tonearm or can also be configured with a gimbal-suspended tonearm. The magnetic levitation principle essentially overcomes gravity in the service of sound. It counters the common situation where every mechanical contact creates friction, and every friction leaves traces in the sound image.
The company’s patented magnetic levitation technology breaks through this physical cycle and completely decouples the crucial components of the turntable from their surroundings. The result: where no contact takes place, no friction can occur. Nothing remains but an absolutely silent, floating state that makes the music audible in its purest form, completely untouched by mechanical interference.
The mechanical guidance of the stylus is a highly sensitive point when it comes to microvibrations. clearaudio minimizes these disruptive factors at source by drastically reducing bearing friction. Whether through the use of ultra-precise mechanical sapphire bearings or by completely eliminating physical contact via magnetic force – the aim remains to ensure the tonearm moves with absolute freedom.
The bearing bears the main weight of the turntable. In conventional systems, this concentrated pressure causes unevenness in rotation and minimal noise. The patented Ceramic Magnetic Bearing from clearaudio pushes this physical limit: an inverted magnetic field completely supports the weight of the platter. It hovers contact-free on a cushion of air, perfectly centered by a spindle made of diamond-ground industrial ceramic.
The most effective way to minimize resonance is to physically separate the motor from the turntable itself. In this system, the belt does not drive the platter directly, but rather a separate drive wheel located beneath it. Power is transmitted to the upper platter entirely without physical contact – solely via the precise magnetic attraction of rotating magnets. Formally named clearaudio electronic GmbH, it is located in Erlangen, Germany.
ELAC products also have magnets, particularly, as core components of the speaker drivers. Neo magnets are used for its high-end models and ferrite magnets for lower-priced systems. ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, established more than 90 years ago and located in Kiel, Germany, is renowned for its advanced technologies in the design of loudspeakers, associated electronic devices and turntables.
For more info, see www.clearaudio.de and www.elac.de.
