SAT XD1 – Ultra High-End in Vinyl

SAT XD1 is a true pearl of the modern horizon of High End audio equipment. Based on completely rethought engineering solutions of the direct-drive Technics SP-10R turntable, the redesigned vinyl turntable from the famous Marc Gomez amazes with both its sound and price. But, such is the price for truly ultimate quality…

Design

The strict appearance of the SAT XD1 attracts the eye – the matte finish of the magnesium-aluminum-silicon alloy body is made in the workshop that works on Hasselblad reference photo cameras, so everything literally screams quality. When developing the device, maximum attention was paid to the stability of the rotation speed, vibration isolation (both from external noise and from resonances of the structure itself) and optimization of the location of the plate itself (by using a vacuum clamp). The platter is massive, 12 kilograms, also made of magnesium-aluminum-silicon alloy. Its upper layer, which comes into contact with the plate, is made of a polymer with carbon powder and nanotubes. Vacuum clamping ensures perfect adhesion of the plate.

It took ten years to create the model before it saw the light of day. The heart of the system was a direct drive, guaranteeing an exact number of engine revolutions (33.3, 45 or 78 rpm, without using a belt and increasing the rotation speed) and a complete absence of lateral load (again, due to the pressure of the belt). As a result, SAT XD1 received a direct-drive motor - and not the same as Technics SP-10R, but created literally "from scratch". This solution reduces the inertial forces and vibrations of the motor by more than 100 times. And what about torque pulsations (which are eliminated by the belt scheme), typical of direct-drive turntables? In this case, the balance of the motor and its highest torque, coupled with the stability of rotation, ensure that such risks are reduced to near zero.

Technology

SAT XD1 received both a massive internal (preload system) and external modules that work on mechanical stability and decoupling of the system. A three-point body support system based on multielastomers minimizes residual stress during operation. The motor damping system is located around the stator - high-frequency noise is also reduced to a measurable minimum. The cherry on the cake is the standard configuration of the turntable with an external vibration-isolating platform Minus K, providing protection from vibrations in the range of 1.5–100 Hz.

The company claims that it is the mechanical stability system that guarantees rotation accuracy – and, as a result, honest and open sound. In this regard, the SAT XD1 resembles a real rock – a multi-stage system of vibration and resonance removal and suppression, located in all critical places, is similar to a state-of-the-art solution worthy of an audio engineering textbook.

Do I need to say that all the control electronics in the SAT XD1 are placed in a separate unit – so as not to interfere with the precision rotation system? A separate housing of this electronic unit is made of aluminum and is also placed on vibration-isolating supports. The SAT XD1 can be equipped with branded tonearms – from 9” SAT CF1-09Ti to 12” SAT CF1-12Ti.

Listening

The listening format of the SAT XD1 at the High End Munich 2025 exhibition did not allow much maneuvering in using familiar systems - but even with a discount for such, one can say that the reference class of the vinyl player was confirmed one hundred percent.

The SAT XD1 immediately captures the listener's attention, offering an amazingly powerful and dense performance with a physical sense of musicians and musical instruments in the listening room. The device literally shocks with the depth of the black background and offers incredible micro- and macrodynamics. Rhythmic compositions literally come to life - only by comparing the SAT XD1 with less expensive devices do you understand what a gap there can be between simply good equipment and Ultra High-End.

The grand scale that the SAT XD1 creates is ideal for rich symphonies - the orchestra's fortissimo is played without a hint of heaviness, the attack looks fast, and the holographic arrangement of the instruments in space creates the full effect of being in a conservatory.

However, the SAT XD1 is strong not only in speed, rhythm and depth of bass - its enchanting emotionality and tremulous elaboration of the smallest contrasts of the recording, the flowing, mercury character of the performance, more reminiscent of a mountain stream with crystal clear water, which you want to look at for hours and just enjoy the miracle of nature. A miracle of engineering, in our case.

Conclusions

The cost of the SAT XD1 with a branded tonearm reaches the price of a house - but the pleasure that an analog performance from an Ultra High End turntable can provide can hardly be compared with anything.