Pre-Munich SAT Announces Debut of XD1 Direct Drive Record Player System

In a pre-Munich press release, SAT announced the debut in Munich of its new XD1 Record Player System that will be presented in room F214 in Atrium 4 along with Marten Audio loudspeakers.

The Record Player System is comprised of the XD1 turntable, the C1 control unit, the XD1-i isolation platform and the CF1-Ti Pickup Arm (either in 9" or 12"). The record player will be sold as a system, with its unique special version of the CF1 series arm - the CF1-Ti. This arm will have an internal tube structure and headshell frame machined in titanium, combined with the carbon fibre arm tube and headshell wing of the CF1 series, giving an even higher stiffness and superior performance that will sd complement the XD1.

SAT says in the press release that the CF1-Ti will be sold exclusively as part of the Record Player System. Nevertheless, existing original owners of SAT arms and owners of pre-owned and qualified arms, will be offered the system without an arm if they choose that option.

Among the features:

High-density monoblock chassis

Machined from a single piece of Mg-Si alloy, removing just the minimum required to nest the platter, motor and electronics.

Diffraction edges

Along the chassis and the legs, several sharp edges diffract the sound waves reducing the negative impact they have in the sonic performance of the turntable.

Stabilising motor bracket

The motor is connected to the bracket at three points through high-pressure coupling devices, providing and accurate coupling without residual stresses. The bracket is connected to the chassis through a high-area contact surface with friction damping.

Technics DD motor - the best motor

SAT has analysed and compared all motors used by other manufacturers and nothing comes close to the Technics SP-10R drive system. It is the most powerful, accurate, quiet and reliable motor available today for this application. Ed. note: I find this claim unbelievable. How can Mr. Gomez have analyzed every motor? VPI’s DD for instance, is a brand new design? Then again, this is a press release!

Motor pre-loading system

( The motor stator is rigidly coupled to the chassis at three points above the motor bracket, adding a critical increase in stiffness for the motor assembly. This is a determinant factor in the resolution and dynamics that this turntable conveys. The couplings are pre-loaded after the motor is assembled in the chassis and locked to keep the settings indefinitely.

Motor damping system

Located at strategic points around the stator of the motor, damping elements reduce the high frequency vibrations that would negatively affect resolution. The motor vibrates less and can rotate the platter more accurately.

Platter with laminar flow

Designed with a specific gap to create a laminar flow for constant drag and more stable speed. A tiny exacting gap between the platter rim and the chassis prevents air flow and interference from the exterior, keeping the air trapped between the platter and chassis undisturbed.

High stiffness and inertia platters

Precision machined from precipitation-aged Mg-Si alloy with a tall section, achieving increased stiffness for the target mass of the platter. It nests a top platter and a flywheel in the lower portion of the rim. The platter is designed with a specific ratio of mass in the 3/7 of its outer diameter. A flywheel ring of eutectic polymorphic Swedish brass adds the optimal mass and inertia tuned for the motor, providing the most spectacular dynamics and effortless sound.

Top platter for ultra-low magnetic field

Top platter layer of 16mm proprietary advanced technical polymer infused with carbon fiber micro powder and UHM carbon nanotubes. It keeps magnetic field away from cartridge for maximum resolution and provides levels of damping not possible with other material formulations. The tiniest micro details can be retrieved by the cartridge once the magnetic interaction with the platter is removed.

Precision micro-machined top platter surface Special micro-ridge profile with controlled pitch and height, designed to provide unprecedented record coupling to the platter. This feature is proprietary to SAT and is machined on a very unique CNC lathe using dedicated fixtures and diamond cutting tools - the only ones able to machine the carbon micro fibers with the required precision and surface finish.

Decoupled record spindle

Dedicated record austenitic stainless steel spindle is fixed to the platter without direct connection to the motor.

Rigidly coupled platter

Platter assembly is connected to the rotor of the motor via three high-contact-surface screws, assuring metal-to-metal and a high-rigidity and stable coupling. This solution is much more effective than dropping the platter onto a spindle/rotor or sub-plater.

High-stiffness high-mass legs with fully adjustable feet

The massive legs are integral parts of the mechanical structure of the turntable and have a very important contribution into the stiffness and damping characteristics of the system. They have been designed through extensive FEA studies and the geometry and position optimised through virtual design of experiments technology (VDoE).

Dual complementary turntable isolation system

The suspension system is an integral part of the record player, designed to work in conjunction with it to achieve the highest level of isolation.

SAT mount for armboards

For the first SAT record player we have developed a new proprietary mount system which is class leading in terms of stiffness.

Structural ultra-high-rigidity short path construction

Arms are connected with motor through massive, continuous and uninterrupted sections of metal for uncompromised rigidity. The arm does not move with respect to the platter spindle, keeping a stable position and thus generating less distortion. This translates into more resolution, faster and sharper transients as well as longer decays.

There's more in the press release but that gives you an idea of what's in the design. Designer Gomez also says that in the near future a retro-fitable vacuum hold down system will be made available.

With his usual modesty, designer Gomez says: "We are especially proud to have surpassed, in our XD1 record player, the level of performance of the most respected big turntables, in a compact, minimalistic, elegant and easy to use package. The real challenge is to provide all the sound attributes typical of the top big turntables, without their functional and reliability drawbacks. By suppressing all superfluousness and concentrating on the engineering essentials, Gomez has created another masterpiece with the distinctive engineering and performance of his arms. The result is an elegant, compact and minimalistic record player with the biggest and purest sound yet".

The price will be announced after Munich.

COMMENTS
volvic's picture

A thing of beauty! I am going to stick my neck out and be the first to state that the Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable may have finally met its match.

isaacrivera's picture

The more interesting question is if this minimal beauty will outperform 770 pounds of over-engineering!

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/techdas-air-force-zero-debut-audio-...

volvic's picture

The TechDas is a special run of 40 at $400k, this one will be more within reach and I should have also added that, could a smaller package finally rival the Continuum? I think yes.

isaacrivera's picture

The tonearm is already priced at at lest $43K. Will the rest of the "Record Player System" be $357K or less?

volvic's picture

Way North of $65,000 and just under $250,000. But that's a wild and probably optimistic guess. Reminds me of an old Mikro Seiki and/or Kenwood from the 80's - only prettier.

analogdw's picture

You were almost spot on volvic, dpeending on which configuration one chooses:

* XD1 Record Player System with CF1-09Ti arm : 200,000 EUR
* XD1 Record Player System with CF1-12Ti arm : 210,000 EUR
* XD1 Record Player System without arm : 150,000 EUR

Source: https://www.monoandstereo.com/2019/05/sat-xd1-record-player-pricing.html

volvic's picture

Less than the $250k max I had guessed. In that case I'll take two.....

Anton D's picture

Given my ability to perceive market prices, that means it will probably cost 10+ times that.

garyalex's picture

Hopefully Michael will be able to review this product.

Fsonicsmith's picture

I have to point out that you don't normally repeat all the marketing drivel on any product. You are a complete SAT partisan. That is fine. And true. Also, you quote Gomez as saying "By suppressing all superfluousness and concentrating on the engineering essentials, Gomez has created another masterpiece with the distinctive engineering and performance of his arms". Are we really to believe he said that about himself? Not only are the marketing claims specious but so is the quote. Now again, I am not saying SAT is not great. I am saying I don't see any value in the products. There are tonearms and no doubt motor units that reach the same level of playback for a fraction of the price. Do I know this firsthand? No. But I can see the product and it(they) are not reinventions of the wheel.

analogdw's picture

Looks awesome, sort of like when you see the Death Star up close for the first time. Wish I could afford it.

cher143's picture

Nice turntable, and what a coincidence. I just happen to have $200,000 put aside for a new turntable! (LOL)

vinyl listener's picture

if it only costs $3-400k that's a bargain

:)

Ortofan's picture
Rodan's picture

If, as SAT proclaims, that ". . . nothing comes close to the Technics SP-10R drive system. It is the most powerful, accurate, quiet and reliable motor available today for this application." Why wouldn't a prudent audio enthusiast opt for the original? If the current prices of SAT tonearms are any indication, the new turntable will cost a bundle, so the savings would most likely run into tens of thousands of dollars. That could generate more dough to invest in an uber-cartridge and/or uber-tonearm (even a SAT!).

nutsfortubes's picture

too bad I can't afford it. like many of old farts who started it.
I will stick with 1985 SOTA Star Sapphire. Still works as well as when I got it.

robyatt's picture

Is so good they heavily modified it????

Glotz's picture

You really should do another AP 'giveaway'- from SAT. Lol.

Yes, I'm a dreamer...

volvic's picture

I would sign up over and over and over again for anything from SAT.

UrushiMan's picture

Can't find any news of the launch at either Munich or US on 1st June? Has he got problems I wonder?

Glotz's picture

I do see the Star Wars correlation... It looks as if it could walk around on its feet and sneak up on unsuspecting rebels with a bleep bloop bloop.. and bam!... the tonearm shoots out a nasty red laser right up the keister!

I really want a comic bubble over the cartridge with a " Rebel Scum. " caption..! Doesn't Malachi know how to do that stuff?? It would be way funny.

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