Newly Developed Contact-Free Drive Mechanism

Japan Patent No. 6501130

The principle of rotational operation by magnet and teeth

The position shown in the above is stable and becomes stationary. (The yellow dashed line is the magnetic flux)

The magnetic flux tries to form the shortest magnetic path through this curved section.

As the magnet rotates, the magnetic flux flowing through the wheel tries to return to the stable point, causing the wheel to rotate. This is the transmitted torque.

A motor unit incorporating the best of Esoteric technology

The motor unit, which controls the precise rotation of the magnetic driver, is the culmination
of Esoteric’s accumulated mechanical and circuit engineering expertise.
The motor unit is isolated from the main unit and thoroughly controlled
by mounting on a heavyweight 6mm-thick brass bottom chassis.
The motor driver circuit uses a high-precision 10MHz clock to accurately generate the drive waveforms
that drive the motors. Furthermore, by supplying extremely pure DC from an independent
power supply unit, the transmission of unwanted vibrations to the motor unit is minimized.

10MHz master clock sync ready

The motor unit is equipped with an external 10MHz clock input. Sound quality can be
further upgraded by connecting the Grandioso G1X master clock generator (sold separately)
to supply a higher precision clock to the motor driver.

Drive torque adjustment by micrometer

Direct drive, idler drive, and belt drive... The MagneDrive system is the ideal drive mechanism
that combines the advantages of direct/idler drive, with its powerful and accurate pitch,
while maintains smooth rotation of belt drive, and flexibility in tone adjustment on top of these advantages.

By turning the micrometer dial on the front of the motor unit, the distance
between the motor driver and platter (transmission torque) can be changed to adjust
the sound to your preference, from powerful to soft tones, while listening to music.

Relation between distance and drive torque

Since magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, a very small change
in distance can drastically change the transmission torque. When the driver and platter are
farthest apart (+1.0mm), the torque is reduced to –57%, and the transmission torque
can be changed precisely and freely while playing with the micrometer dial.

More advantages...

Unlike other turntable mechanisms, the MagneDrive system eliminates
replacement of a drive belt, and minimizes maintenance thanks to reduced wear-out parts,
making ensure long-lasting high quality sound.

Toward the one and only our design goal of "Reproducing the Master Sound,"
the T1 chassis optimally controls all vibrations that affect sound quality.
The T1 chassis is mechanically engineered like an F1 racing car,
with the balance between rigidity and flexibility pushed to the limit.
The elegant and clean form is a testament to its high degree of perfection.

3-layer chassis made of aluminum and wood

The gracefully curved, fascinating chassis is the culmination of Esoteric’s
tradition of mechanical engineering. A triple layer of wood sandwiched
between thick aluminum layers is employed.
The tone arm is mounted on the top layer, and the spindle assembly and isolation feet
are mounted on the bottom layer. A wood layer (mid-chassis) with high internal loss
is configured in between them to prevent mutual vibration transmission
between the tone arm and platter, resulting in a crystal clear sound quality.

The wooden mid-chassis not only isolates vibration, but also gives the T1 the ability
to express music with excellent tonal balance, reminiscent of the original master tapes,
thanks to the rich mid and low frequency range of the material.

Beautiful high gloss piano finish mid chassis

The wooden mid-chassis has a high-gloss piano finish that has undergone multiple layers
of painting and polishing processes. We wanted the highest level of texture befitting
an innovative turntable. The surface is as smooth as wet, a glossy, jet-black luster without glare.
Organic as if crafted, the depth of its appearance contrasts dynamically with the functional,
industrial aluminum layers of modern architecture, further enhancing the pleasure of owning the T1.

Isolation foot with special damper structure

Esoteric’s isolation foot employs a hybrid structure of coil springs and special damper resin,
which is extremely effective for very low frequencies and has a short damping time
(approximately 0.5 seconds), providing extremely superior vibration isolation capability,
while a conventional floating turntable with a coil spring system is very effective in blocking
very low frequencies that cause feedback, but it takes a certain amount of time for vibration damping.

Characteristic of the Hybrid Isolation Foot

The Esoteric hybrid damper stops vibration after a damping time of about 0.5 seconds (about half cycle amplitude).

While conventional coil springs and rubber dampers have difficulty absorbing vibration at certain frequencies (speed of vibration) and linger for a long time, Esoteric hybrid dampers can easily absorb and converge vibration for a wide range of shaking.

The TA-9D is based on IKEDA Sound Labs.’ IT-345, which is in the vein of Fidelity Research’s
famous FR-64 that has been highly acclaimed worldwide since the heyday of analog audio.
The TA-9D employs a dynamic balance system that is resistant to eccentricity
and warping of records and enables stable reading. The dynamic balance system has
a low center of gravity and a thick core tone, while the stainless steel tone arm pipe inlaid
with brass and aluminum increases rigidity and optimize vibration modes.
Internal wiring is made of 6N (99.9999%) +4N high-purity hybrid copper wire,
and the VTA elevation allows the height of the arm (VTA) to be adjusted while playing back records.

T1 is also available in armless (AL) configuration, so that customers can choose arms of their own choice.
In addition, up to three arms* can be added with the optional arm base kit.
* The TA-9D can have up to two additional arms (maximum of two arms), excluding the arm post on the front left side.

Arm Base Kit (sold separately)

(The AB-T1SM1 is shown.)

Standard included items in the Arm Base Kit

• Arm Board × 1
• Arm Post × 1
• Thumb screw for the Arm Post × 1
• Fixing screw × 3

Arm Base Variants

AB-T1SM1

Compatible tone arm
• SME (9, 10, 12 inch)
• Graham Phantom (9, 10, 12 inch)

* Front-left post is compatible with 12inch arm only.
* For Graham Phantom models with SME-compatible mount.

AB-T1GH1

Compatible tone arm
• Graham Phantom (9, 10, 12 inch)

* Front-left post is compatible with 12inch arm only.
* Designed for Graham Phantom custom mount.

AB-T1KD1

Compatible tone arm
• Ikeda (9, 12inch) compatible with or without VTA elevation.

* Front-left post is compatible with 12inch arm only.

AB-T1SC1

Compatible tone arm
• SAEC WE-4700

AB-T1RD1

Compatible tone arm
• Reed 5T/5A

AB-T1GL1

Compatible tone arm
• GLANZ (9, 10, 12inch)

AB-T1GL2

Compatible tone arm
• GLANZ (10, 12inch)

AB-T1PC1

Compatible tone arm
• Primary Control FLC (12inch)

AB-T1DU1

Compatible tone arm
• Durand Tosca

AB-T1RT1

Compatible tone arm
• ortofon AS-212R、AS-309R
* Rear posts are compatible with AS-212R (9inch) arm only.

AB-T1SP1

Compatible tone arm
• Supreme Analog Tangenta

AB-T1KZ1

Compatible tone arm
• KUZMA Safir9

AB-T1ST1

Compatible tone arm
• SAT (9, 12inch)
* 9 inch arm can be mounted on rear-right post only.

AB-T1AS1

Compatible tone arm
• Acoustical Systems Axiom

AB-T1TP1

Compatible tone arm
• Tri-Planar The Ultimate12

* If your Graham Phantom has standard SME-compatible mount, go for the AB-T1SM1.

The power supply unit for the motor is isolated from the motor and supplies
extremely clean and powerful current. A dedicated over-sized toroidal power transformer
is accommodated in a separated unit. The power supply for the operation is driven
by an R-core power transformer separate from that for the motor.
The enclosure, which requires rigidity, is made of aluminum and is thoroughly non-resonant,
while the top panel, which needs to be free of vibration for an open sound,
has a semi-floating structure, and the isolation feet with a special structure reduce
mechanical stress and improve sound quality.

The turntable sheet is selected from a variety of materials after extensive listening tests
in order to eliminate any coloration of the T1’s tone and to pursue a function
to protect the precious vinyl disc surface from scratches.
In combination with the T1, a sheet of “WASHI”, a traditional Japanese paper material
with the most neutral tone is employed.

Dimensions

Foot positions