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TEAC TN 550

Teac TN-550 TURNTABLE

High-precision Rotation Speed that compares to Direct-drive

■ Cogging-free Belt-drive with Platter Rotation Sensing Servo System (PRS3)

This drive system employs a new PRS3 (Platter Rotation Speed Servo System) that detects insensible changes of the platter rotation speed by a contactless optical sensor settled at the spindle base, and controls motor speed after calculation by an on-board microcomputer. It realizes a Belt-drive mechanism with higher precision that is not outdone by Direct-drive turntables. The TN-550 achieved both sleek design and cogging-free rotation precision that compares to a Direct-drive.

 

 

What is Cogging?

Cogging is a phenomenon in which the periodic attraction of the armature and rotor inside the motor is dependent on the rotation angle, resulting in a fine pulsing. For example, if you turn the axle of a motor with your fingers, you'll feel the rotation occurring in steps. This phenomenon is cogging.
In order to eliminate the cogging on the Direct-drive turntable, it requires a large numbers of poles in a motor, and complex circuits and mechanism to achieve smooth rotation. As a result, the drive unit itself must be huge, and this prevents making the cabinet sleek and elegant.

■ Electrical-controlled Speed Selector
The speed selector employs an electronically-controlled speed changing mechanism between 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm, which does not require bothersome processes of changing the pulley to another one with different diameter.

Not only speed selector knob, an EP adapter employs a machined aluminum knob for prestigious feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

■ Clear Acrylic Platter that merges elegance with silence
The 16mm-thick full-size platter made of acrylic resin with high transparency, shines beautifully, reflecting the surroundings according to the light level suppresses unwanted sympathetic vibrations. Together with the pattern of the artificial marble, it presents a unique elegance.

 

 

 

 

■ High-precision Spindle and Anti-static Carbon-coated Base
By applying carbon coating to the spindle bearing, hardness is increased and electrification is controlled, providing excellent static electricity performance.

 

 

 

 

 

■ Large Torque Motor with a floating structure
Employing a rubber cushion, a large torque motor is settled to float when attached to the chassis. This suppresses the transmission of vibrations from the motor to the chassis.

■ Flat-type Belt
A flat belt is employed to reliably transmit energy to the motor drive. A urethane flat belt that has little stretch is employed to reliably drive the acrylic platter. It is also very quiet and provides excellent durability.

■ Chassis with Dual Layer structure realizes both weight and style
The cabinet employs artificial marble with high-density MDF. By combining different materials in a two-layer structure, this design abates their inherent resonant frequencies and realizes a clear sound, allowing the artists voices, which are inscribed in the grooves of the record, to come out vividly.
The artificial marble not only contributes to the elegant appearance, it is also excellent in terms of weight, allowing the turntable to realize a heaviness of about 9 kg while retaining a slim and stylish form. While it has a rigid structure, it is also able to assure a high feedback margin.

 

 

■ Honeycomb-shaped Bottom Case
The bottom cover employs a honeycomb pattern that prevents unwanted sympathetic vibrations. The thin bottom cover, which melds into the stylish design, uses a honeycomb structure for the interior to prevent unwanted sympathetic vibrations.

 

 

 

 

■ Height Adjustable Feet
The four machined aluminum feet can have their heights adjusted independently. This allows the turntable to be set up on surfaces that are not flat. In addition, rubber with excellent cushioning is used between where the feet are installed and the body of the unit to suppress the feedback of sound to the cabinet.

 


■ Newly designed Tone-arm with Anti-skating Mechanism

The static-balanced S-shaped tone-arm features high flexibility. You can adjust the tone-arm height optimally for the shell and cartridge you are using. Also, a high-quality PC-Triple C* conductor cables are employed for the tone-arm cable, so that the phono signal captured by the needle from the delicate vinyl record is transmitted with pure quality.

 

 

 

What is PC-Triple C?

PC-Triple C stands for "Pure Copper-Continuous Crystal Construction" allows signals to flow smoothly by eliminating signal obstructions. With high conductivity and excellent sound characteristics, this new material is expected to become a replacement for PCOCC. (Made in Japan by FCM, a subsidiary of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.)

■ Gold-plated RCA Pin jacks for Phono Audio Output
A pair of RCA Pin jacks are employed on the back panel to deliver Phono level output.

 

 

 

 

■ MM-type Cartridges by audio-technica (except TN-550-CA)
An MM-type cartridge equivalent to audio-technica AT100E is already installed at the factory, as the universal type head-shell employs PC-Triple C wiring for pure signal travel.

 

 

 

■ Detachable Dust Cover
By removing the dust cover from the unit, you and your guests will enjoy to see how music revives from vinyl record.

 

 

 

 

■ Optional Turntable sheet made of Japanese "WASHI" paper sold separately
Turntable sheets are typically made of silicon rubber, felt or cork, for example. As result of investigating various materials, however, we concluded that Japanese paper "WASHI" is suitable in terms of both design and performance. This is the first time that WASHI, which has good vibration suppression and static electricity resistance as well as great style, has been employed for turntable sheets.
SKU: TA-TS30UN-BW (Sold separately)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feature List

  • 45 and 33-1/3 rpm 2-speed Cogging-free Belt Drive Turntable
  • “PRS3” Platter Rotation Sensing Servo System for Precise Rotate Speed
  • Sleek Resonance-free Dual Material Compound by Marble Stone and High-density MDF
  • Crystal Clear Acrylic Platter with Perimeter Belt Drive
  • High-precision Spindle with Anti-static Carbon-coated base
  • Height Adjustable Anti-skating Tone-arm with PC-Triple C Wiring
  • Universal Head-shell with PC-Triple C Wiring
  • Honeycomb-shaped Bottom Case
  • MM-type Cartridge by audio-technica (except Canada model)
  • Height Adjustable Feet
  • Machined Aluminum EP Adapter
  • Optional Reversible Static-free "WASHI" Turntable Sheet (SKU: TA-TS30UN-BW, Sold separately)

TN-550 SPECIFICATIONS

Turntable section

 

Type

Belt Drive

Motor

DC Motor

SPeed

33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm

Servo System

PRS3 (Platter Rotation Speed Servo System)

Rotatin Speed Variation

+/–0.2%

Wow and Flutters

0.1%

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

more than 67dB (A-weighted, 20kHz LPF)

Platter Material

Acrylic

Platter Size

Full-size (300mm diameter, 16mm thickness)

Platter Weight

approx. 1.4kg / 3.1 lbs.

Tone-arm section

 

Type

Static Balanced S-shape Tone-arm (Height Adjustable)

Effective Arm Lenght

223mm

Over-hang

18mm

Tracking Error

less than 3 degrees

Stylus Pressure Range

0 to 5g

Supported Cartridge Weight

15 to 23g(incl. Headshell)

Height Adjust Range

approx. 6mm

Anti-skating Adjustent

Supported

Cartridge section

(except TN-550-CA)

Type

MM-type (equivalent to audio-technica AT100E)

Output Voltage

4.5mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.)

Stylus Pressure

1.4g +/–0.4g

Cartridge Weight

6.5g +/-0.2g

Headshell Weight

10g (incl. Screw, Nuts and Wires)

Analog Output

 

Connector

RCA Pin x 1pair (gold-plated)

Output Voltage

4.5mV (+/-3dB)

Operation Power

AC 100 to 240V 50/60Hz

Power Consumption

1.5W (0.5W at Standby)

Overall Dimensions

430 x 131.5 x 355mm / 16.9" x 5.2" x 14.0 (W x H x D, incl. protrusions)

Weight

approx. 9.0kg / 19.9 lbs.

Accessories

AC Adapter (GPE053A-120050-Z), EP Adapter, Counter Weight, Head-shell, Cartridge (except. Canada model), Acrylic Platter, Dust Cover, Hinges x 2, Pulley Cover, Flat Belt, Washers x 4, Hex Wrench, RCA Audio Cable with GND terminals, Owner's Manual (incl. Warranty card)