Nagra Audio Reference Turntable

Following in the footsteps of Nagra’s flagship Reference Anniversary turntable/tonearm system, Nagra’s research and development team devoted an additional two years applying all that was learned in the preceding four years of Anniversary system development to expand our commitment to LP reproduction to a wider audience of vinyl lovers.

The Reference turntable/tonearm maintains the same level of obsessive attention to detail embodied in the limited edition Reference Anniversary turntable/tonearm, including our insistence on technical achievement validated by extensive listening. Its concept, design and execution are befitting of its inclusion in Nagra’s flagship Reference line of products.

Among the highlights derived from the Reference Anniversary turntable/tonearm and incorporated in the Reference turntable/tonearm are:

DRIVE UNIT
The heart of the Reference turntable is its motor drive system. For some time, it has been recognized that multi-motor drive systems enhance the speed stability of a turntable’s rotating platter. The Reference turntable employs dual high precision, Swiss made, decoupled, brushless DC motors. This arrangement optimizes both torque and speed accuracy. This massive motor drive system weighs 11.2 kg/24.6 lb. Expect additional details once the patent process is underway.

SPEED STABILITY
In addition to the innovative two motor system, the turntable features a well thought out technology for absolute speed calibration. An accelerometer monitors the floating chassis to ensure that it is absolutely stable otherwise calibration does not take place. Calibration is done over a 20 second window during which time the platter’s speed is precisely calibrated during actual playback (stylus in groove). During this 20 second cycle the platter’s speed is compared with a high precision quartz reference. Any deviation from this absolute speed reference is corrected accordingly. An easy to read, distinctly Nagra Modulometer on the turntable’s front control panel makes calibration (and pitch control) simple. During listening no active speed control is employed. While listening, the motors are only running in a closed loop mode. By eliminating active speed control the “cogging” and associated ill effects on image stability generated by such active systems is avoided.

REEL TO REEL INSPIRED BELT SYSTEM
Attention to detail even extended to the belt used in the motor drive. For this essential part we took inspiration from the iconic Nagra IV-S tape machine. Because the original supplier of these belts is no longer in existence, we undertook a chemical analysis of the belt composition and have faithfully reproduced this high performance part. We have decided to pay tribute to Nagra’s analog recorder legacy by calling Nagra’s LP drive “Nagra IV – LXX caliber”.

AEROSPACE MATERIAL PLATTER
The Reference turntable/tonearm system employs a heavy, phenolic damped, CNC machined, aerospace grade aluminium platter featuring an Alcantara surface providing an ideal platter-vinyl interface.

PRECISION MECHANICS BEARING
Beneath the platter is a sub-platter and shaft/bearing system whose most notable features include a subplatter machined from high strength aluminium. A phenolic interlayer is applied atop the sub-platter for resonance decoupling. The transition from sub-platter to the shaft/bearing system is accomplished via a machined brass adapter which is re-machined in mounted form for tightest tolerances. The shaft/bearing housing is machined from spheroidal graphite iron. The ultra precision shaft is fabricated from induction hardened steel which is subjected to a centuries old watchmaker’s super finishing procedure. The shaft bushing is machined of sintered bronze and high temperature/pressure impregnated with oil for maintenance-free operation. The bearing is comprised of stacked carbide balls which have been subjected to the highest polish grade possible.

CHASSIS AND SUB-CHASSIS
Non resonant chassis

The backbone of the Reference turntable can be considered the chassis and sub-chassis. In this case, massive plates of aircraft grade aluminium and phenolic have been precisely CNC machined to form a low resonance, high rigidity, layered structure of aluminum/phenolic/aluminum preventing sound coloration from the system’s mechanical parts.

Floating suspension
Integral to the performance of any ambitious turntable system is its suspension. In this case, Nagra engineers devised a unique solution which outwardly mimics the suspension systems of both our HD PREAMP and HD DAC X. Internally, however, is found an ingenious system combining both mechanical and hydraulic principals. The substantial suspension pillars employ both a spring mechanism and a highly viscous fluid contained in a “diver/chamber” configuration which, when combined, provide suspension and displacement in three dimensions.

Weight: ~71 kg – ~156.5 lbs

TURNTABLE Dimension: 67x 45 x 28 mm (26 x 17.8 x 11.6 inches)

TURNTABLE PSU Dimension: 40x 32 x 10 cm (15.7 x 12.6 x 3.9 inches)