Townshend Rock 7 Turntable

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
6,129
181
458
La Jolla, Calif USA
I don't own the Rock 7, BUT I have heard one and I think it's a superb TT. The fluid damping is where the Townshend gets its fame. I'm a believer in fluid damping of the tonearm...one of the main reasons that i like the WTA that I use.
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
12,308
1,425
1,820
Manila, Philippines
I've got one with the Excaliber arm. I have a ZYX Airy 3 S on mine. I think it is a fun table with big tone. It has a touch of classic/retro midbass reminescent of TD124s. The lowest registers are really solid and the highs are smooth if a bit rolled off the way I've got it set up. That damping trough really works. Three things I wish it had.

A clamp that isn't a screw down type (I'm lazy)

A speed controller so I don't have to change pulley positions (I'm lazy)

A bubble level on the plinth (I'm lazy :D )
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City

jazdoc

Member Sponsor
Aug 7, 2010
3,320
730
1,200
Bellevue
Sounded great every time I've heard one. Would love to find out more from Purogave's experience.
 

puroagave

Member Sponsor
Sep 29, 2011
1,345
45
970
Sounded great every time I've heard one. Would love to find out more from Purogave's experience.

jack's summation is spot on. mine is the latest vers with the plinth and trough appendage as a unified piece, the earlier version allowed the trough to be added later or the 'table used w/o one. the rock 7 is deceptively simple with an undersized main bearing/journal with a platter made from high density polyethylene, the same material used for kitchen cutting boards. an assortment of water jet/laser cut aluminum slabs make up the plinth and arm board its isolated from the environment with Max's latest isolation dampers (the same kind used on his latest platforms) - you could say the whole, in this case, is far greater than the sum of its parts.

my unit would be considered entry level w/ a Rega 301 arm and the stock a/c motor, there is a dc PSU available for ~1400 that takes the speed stability up a notch and its associated benefits (according to Dan). the table's strengths are a very low noise floor/high isolation, strong bass (a touch elevated perhaps) and very good speed stability/accuracy with the stock motor. it can be used with a wide variety of arms (unipivots notwithstanding) pre-cut armboards are avail for rega, sme, helius and others.
 

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