Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — TechDAS Air Force One Premium

TechDAS of Japan built the Air Force One Premium around a heavy two-part platter and a set of outboard pump and power units. It is an upgraded version of the original Air Force One, and the upper platter material is chosen by the buyer.

Key specs that matter

The main platter is SUS316L non-magnetic forged stainless steel weighing 19 kg. On top sits an upper platter in either A7075 Super Duralumin at 4 kg or pure titanium at 6 kg. Speeds are 33-1/3 and 45 rpm with a precision adjustment function, and wow and flutter is below 0.03 percent W.R.M.S. The turntable weighs 73 kg and requires a footprint of at least 680 mm by 480 mm. Two outboard boxes, a power and pump unit and an air condenser and charger unit, each measure 430 x 160 x 240 mm and weigh 10 kg. The system draws 60 W from the mains.

Engineering and use context

Rotation comes from an AC synchronous motor whose speed is controlled by a DC amplifier, turning the platter through a surface-polished polyurethane fibre flat belt. A calibrated microcomputer adjustment circuit works with the heavyweight platter, and TechDAS says this gives rotation accuracy comparable to a direct drive motor, beyond what a conventional belt drive reaches. The platter floats on an air bearing, and the chassis uses a sandwich of three different materials. A dedicated motor pump charges the air suspension and stops filling automatically once the correct amount of air has been reached. The standard kit contains one tonearm base pre-drilled for the arm the owner specifies, a platter cover called The Platter Top, a TechDAS disc stabilizer and an AC cable. Extra tonearm bases in stainless steel, titanium or aluminium are optional, as is the dedicated Air Force Mounting Rack.

Pairing

Because the arm base is machined for the chosen tonearm, the arm should be decided before ordering, and further bases allow a second arm to be added later. The two outboard units need their own shelves, so the dedicated TechDAS rack or a support with space for three components is the practical base. The combined platter mass is a large load concentrated on one support, so a level and rigid shelf matters before the air suspension is charged.

Alternatives

The TechDAS Air Force 20 is a newer model with the same SUS316L main platter and choice of duralumin or titanium upper platter, in a main unit of about 100 kg.