Analog Gear News

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.