(Separately, the Odin costs $12,900, including its own air pump the package savings are made possible in part because the same pump that pressurizes the Galder's platter bearing and vacuum clamp also pressurizes the tonearm.) A speed-adjustable DC motor allows two speeds: 33.3 and 45rpm. As reviewed, the 84lb, nearly 19"-wide Galder includes a vacuum record hold-down system for an additional $8900, it comes bundled with the Bergmann Odin air-bearing tangential-tracking tonearm. Indeed, this turntable can support up to four tonearms, either pivoting or tangential-tracking. New from Bergmann Audio, a Danish company known for using air bearings not only in their tonearms but also their platters, is the Galder turntable, which breaks with Bergmann tradition in two ways: Its 26lb, belt-driven, air-bearing platter is machined from aluminum rather than acrylic, and the Galder can be bought without a Bergmann linear-tracking tonearm. (Vol.43 No.9 WWW)īergmann Galder Turntable and Vacuum hold down: $26,800 $35,700 with Odin tonearm Its build quality and engineering make it worthy of placement in that category even if the sonic performance is a notch below the absolute best." "Engraved" because of the elegant scrollwork on the plinth's surface the nonengraved version costs $2000 less.
Unmechanical extended factory walkthrough free#
The plinth weighs 50.7lb! According to MF, who auditioned the Forte Engraved with AMG's 12JT tonearm (see "Tonearms") and an Ortofon Anna Diamond cartridge, what makes this turntable so appealing is its midrange presentation, "which, though ever so slightly thick, is highly resolved and includes complete freedom from overhang." He added that "the very bottom, too, while not the most fully extended, is completely free of muddy hangover." He concluded that the Viella Forte "is among the best values in 'top tier' turntables. This massive turntable features an outboard, crystal-controlled power supply and a black-anodized aluminum two-piece platter that weighs almost 31lb and has a weighted rim (producing a flywheel effect), a gently convex, inlaid-PVC top surface, and a decoupled spindle. (Vol.40 No.10 WWW)ĪMG Viella Forte Engraved: $25,000 without arm, $32,000 with 12JT tonearm Herb recommends avoiding lean, analytical-sounding cartridges, including AMG's own Teatrohis best results with the Giro G9 were with the notably colorful EMT TSD 75and advises the user to consider upgrading the AMG player with a third-party isolation base. According to HR, the "Apollonian" Giro G9 was "completely adept at recovering and sorting out complex music" he praised in particular its "detailed" and "well articulated" bass. That motor isn't outwardly visibleat first glance, the Giro might be mistaken for a direct-drive turntablebut is hidden underneath, driving the platter from a point inside its rim by means of a thin rubber belt. The Swiss-made AC motor is electronically controlled, with switch-selectable speeds of 33.3 and 45rpm. The turntable comprises a 1.75"-thick Delrin platter whose bearing is mounted on a circular aluminum plinth, itself 1.5" thick. The Giro G9 is an AMG Giro turntable bundled with the same company's 9W2 tonearm (see elsewhere in Recommended Components). It's as much reliable test instrument as supreme carrier of unassuming musical pleasure." (Vol.43 No.2) (Without the latter, the AFO Premium sells for $145,000.) Auditioned with a Graham Engineering Elite tonearm, the AFO Premium impressed MF with "its ultraquiet backgrounds, the generosity of its presentation of instrumental sustain and decay, its neutral spectral balance, and dynamic presentation. MF's review sample also featured an optional titanium upper platter. Now MF has auditioned the Premium version of same, which betters the original AFO with a motorized air pump and automatic, continuous pressure-monitoring system for its air-suspension mechanism. The standard version of the TechDAS Air Force One turntable was awarded an A+ and sat atop these ratings for six years. TechDAS Air Force One Premium: $162,000 w/titanium upper platter