DIY Titanium Tweaks for Air Force One

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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My friends Thomas and Mr. Tam in Hong Kong did some wonderful tweaks made of titanium for Air Force One.
The result is sonic improvement described by Techdas about their coming AF1 Premium.
Of course AF1 Premium's titanium platter is too difficult to make. haha

The original AF1 :
1a.jpg
1b.jpg

Step 1
2b.jpg
2a.jpg
 
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CKKeung

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Step 2 : Better!

3a.jpg
3c.jpg ]
 

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JackD201

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Nice! :d
 

CKKeung

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rockitman

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My friends Thomas and Mr. Tam in Hong Kong did some wonderful tweaks made of titanium for Air Force One.
The result is sonic improvement described by Techdas about their coming AF1 Premium.
Of course AF1 Premium's titanium platter is too difficult to make. haha

The original AF1 :
View attachment 27227
View attachment 27228

Step 1
View attachment 27229
View attachment 27230

will he make any more of the titanium arm bd insert ? Are the holes to affix the sme sled mount to the arm board threaded ?
 

Folsom

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Why are these better? I'm sorry but it looks like you replaced a non-resonating polymer with a resonating titanium?

Why not use non-magnetic materials?
 

treitz3

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Folsom, you read my mind sir. I too am curious as to why.

Tom
 

rockitman

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Why are these better? I'm sorry but it looks like you replaced a non-resonating polymer with a resonating titanium?

Why not use non-magnetic materials?

Actually it's wood which has it's own resonant frequency. I have both wood and a custom Delrin (pretty non resonant) for the rear slot. Like anything...whether it's different platter material or different arm boards, it's adds it's own sound character...No reason to live in a vacuum of non resonance.
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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Why are these better? I'm sorry but it looks like you replaced a non-resonating polymer with a resonating titanium?
Why not use non-magnetic materials?

Sorry, posted the wrong photo. Now corrected.
Better sonics because after the successful Step 1, my friends made it an one whole titanium piece.

The story is : Original wood on aluminum > titanium on aluminum > a whole piece of titanium.

Yes, the holes are threaded for screws.
 
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rockitman

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Sorry, posted the wrong photo. Now corrected.
Better sonics because after the successful Step 1, my friends made it an one whole titanium piece.

The story is : Original wood on aluminum > titanium on aluminum > a whole piece of titanium.

.

Very cool. You have a good friend !
 

ddk

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May 18, 2013
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My friends Thomas and Mr. Tam in Hong Kong did some wonderful tweaks made of titanium for Air Force One.
The result is sonic improvement described by Techdas about their coming AF1 Premium.

I know that materials make a difference and its great to try some things but the cynic in me would point out that they would get "better" if they moved up to a 12" arm :)!

david
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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I know that materials make a difference and its great to try some things but the cynic in me would point out that they would get "better" if they moved up to a 12" arm :)!
david

Thank for the suggestion.
I will remind my friend that his 2nd tonearm on AF1 shall be a 12" one. :b
 

Folsom

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I'm not saying it can't sound better but...

OK wood vs I understand. Stiffness could couple the arm better to the table which may dampen the arm overall more.

However non-magnetic stiff material is better for proximity to things like the cartridge. I cannot possibly believe titanium screws are the best choice there. Coupling the cartridge tightly to the arm won't have the benefit coupling the arm to the platter will. You can't tighten it much. What you really want is things that don't disrupt the magnetic field of the cartridge...
 

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