Thiele TT01 Zero Tracking Error Turntable with Thiele DB and DW01
Thiele TT01 Zero Tracking Error Turntable
The TT01 is a belt-drive turntable with a synchronous motor. Although the TA01 tonearm is the star of the show, the TT01’s sleek lines and purposeful, deceptively simple appearance hide a three-level construction based on the Constrained Layer Damping principle that gradually isolates the individual components. By choosing different wood materials, each level is optimized for vibration.
Above: noticeable noise when measuring the foot. Below: no noise when measuring the tonearm base.
Measurements as done above, and listening tests in my presence using a custom resonance amplification device, showed that disturbances are greatly reduced at each stage, from the drive level to the tonearm level.
The bottom level features 3 coned feet that are easily height-adjusted from the top and connect the entire turntable to the stand. The synchronous drive motor is also installed on this level, along with the motor control and the XLR output terminal. The center level, connected to the lower and upper levels by a special adhesive layer, carries the armboard and the tonearm. The platter bearing and the control panel are mounted on the top level.
The platter consists of three parts: a sub-platter, acrylic disc, and outer ring, stacked on top of one another. This combination of materials helps dampen and smooth the platter. The platter has a 10 mm hardened-steel axle that rotates within a bronze bushing and rests on a 7 mm ceramic ball that in turn rests on a Delrin disc with a center hole, so the ball runs on a defined circular ring. This creates an even, controlled braking torque that keeps the drive motor constantly running against a small load. This braking torque calms the motor’s mechanical running. This effect is further supported by using grease on the bearing axle instead of oil.
The synchronous motor is powered by an external linear power supply. Each motor is individually tested for unwanted noise. Some are too loud and are discarded. Rotational speed can be set to 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm via buttons on top of the unit. Speed stability is specified at ±0.07%, and pots on the back provide ±5% fine speed control. The platter is driven by a flat belt with factory-adjusted tension, which can be fine-tuned if necessary.
The tonearm is fixed to the arm board by a central steel ball and four screws arranged in a parallelogram. These 5-point connections isolate resonances between the chassis and tonearm. The circular arm board mounted on the middle level of the chassis also has only 4 point-shaped contact points to the chassis.
The basic principle of this drive is to gradually isolate individual components while achieving maximum mechanical strength. From layer to layer, the measured noise is reduced by 10 dB. From the bottom layer to the top layer, this provides a combined attenuation of 20 dB, which makes this turntable so quiet.
Balanced XLR outputs are available as standard. This makes sense because, even though the MM or MC signal is often used single-ended in turntables and phono stages alike, a cartridge’s output is inherently balanced. For RCA inputs, you can use an adapter cable or XLR-to-RCA adapters.
By request, the TT01 can also be configured with other connectors.
TT01 Main Technical Specifications
- Speed change via keyboard: 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm
- Speed stability (rated ): < +- 0.07%
- Drive with synchronous motor and flat belt on subplatter
- External power supply for 115V-230V
- Power consumption in operation: 12 W
- Power consumption when switched off: 6 W
- Platter bearing with hardened steel axle in bronze bushing
- Axial bearing with ceramic ball on ring-shaped Delrin bearing
- Lubrication with special grease
- Standard colors: Black silk matte or Anthracite silk matte
- Any RAL color on special order
- Dimensions WxHxD: 510x200x400
- Weight: 17 kg
The TT01 comes in a super-sturdy custom Flight Case.
Pivot Arms versus Linear Tracking Arms
Broadly speaking, there are two main kinds of tonearms: pivot tonearms and linear-tracking tonearms, also known as tangential tonearms. Pivot arms are the simplest in construction and by far the most commonly used. This type is found on turntables from all brands, such as Thorens, Linn, Technics, Rega, and Pro-Ject, to name just a few well-known models, but it’s also found on the most specialized high-end brands. The best tangential arms can provide theoretically perfect tracking, but the designs are hard to get just right and introduce other compromises.
Opinions on the “perfect” arm construction will forever vary, but in general, if a robust and sonorous sound is desired, the arm will also need to have a robust bearing construction. However, with linear tracking arms, the assembly quickly adds too much mass and/or friction to allow tracking with mere needle force. Thus, there are two common solutions. One is to use a light tonearm in combination with an air-bearing so that the arm moves basically frictionlessly and the stylus in the groove can move the arm directly. The second solution is to allow the arm to deviate just enough from the ideal zero-tracking-error position to trigger an optical or mechanical contact that engages an electric mechanism to move the arm in the desired direction.
Next: Earlier experience with Linear Tracking Turntables and introducing the Thiele TA01 Tonearm
