TechDAS Air Force 2

[microstrip]

Jack - make the dust cover locally because it would cost way too much to have one shipped. If you would like, I will do a design for you. This is the one I designed for myself for my Roksan turntable - the AF1 and AF2 will need larger, but the design should be essentially the same. Cut on a CNC machine, using the good stuff (HMWA), it ended up costing me nearly $800 for one. But making a run of them for all your customers wouldn't cost much more than for just the first one as most of the cost went to the CNC machine programming and set-up.

View attachment 17561

The open corners also means that it won't boom if you play with the cover on.

Great design Gary - it looks very stylish. The handles are really well integrated in the cover and match the simplicity of it.

 

[JackD201]

We have the AFO covers and that's what goes on them when not in use for extended periods like when we go on business trips or vacations. I use the platter covers when I'm alternating between sources. I switch back and forth between digital and LP. Jim (yes David it's Jim's room not mine) between LP and Tape. I'm crossing my fingers but at least all family members and household staff are 200% carty trained

We have a really good guy who works with acrylics Gary. He did my HRX cover for me way back when. I should have had one made for the TW.

 

[garylkoh]

Great design Gary - it looks very stylish. The handles are really well integrated in the cover and match the simplicity of it.

Thanks, micro. I am a fan of getting proportions correct.

Jack - I sent the design to you via email. If you've got a guy who does acrylics, it should be an easy job. Scale up and down if you have larger/smaller turntables.

 

[rockitman]

OT: for the TD2 money, I would have to consider Sperling...Speaking for myself only.

 

[JackD201]

Thanks, micro. I am a fan of getting proportions correct.

Jack - I sent the design to you via email. If you've got a guy who does acrylics, it should be an easy job. Scale up and down if you have larger/smaller turntables.

Thanks Gary! Much appreciated!

 

[wizard]

At Norddeutsche HiFi-Tage in Hamburg.

 

[hvbias]

Is that the new TechDas tonearm? :b

 

[JackD201]

Hi TechDAS doesn't make tonearms

 

[garylkoh]

Hi TechDAS doesn't make tonearms

Not yet anyway

Nishikawa-san designed the Black Widow for Infinity..... and various other tonearms.

 

[hvbias]

Hi TechDAS doesn't make tonearms

Isn't this out of respect for Graham being the US distributor? I thought I had read that Nishikawa-san was interesting in making another tonearm. I would certainly be interested especially if it were higher mass.

 

[JackD201]

That's correct. I asked him directly and he said he has no plans whatsoever of designing a new tonearm because of the reverse. He is Bob's distributor in Japan.

 

[jpetek]

The German Magazine "LP" says that there is no sonic difference between the One and the Two. How is your experience?

Josef

 

[Altanpsx]

Last year in Munich I asked the same question, what is the difference between af1 and af2 to Nishikawa-san, and he(Motofumi-san) replied,

"Basicly no difference"

Af1 and Af2 were in different rooms, also they matched with completely different systems, different tonearms and cartridges. As far as I understand with these two completely different(price points, performance level) systems, af2 is sufficent to satisfy most of the audiophiles. But when decision comes to product which price tag is 100k, not only satisfaction, also ownership, prestige ... etc are very important factors.

 

[PeterA]

Last year in Munich I asked the same question, what is the difference between af1 and af2 to Nishikawa-san, and he(Motofumi-san) replied,

"Basicly no difference"

Af1 and Af2 were in different rooms, also they matched with completely different systems, different tonearms and cartridges. As far as I understand with these two completely different(price points, performance level) systems, af2 is sufficent to satisfy most of the audiophiles. But when decision comes to product which price tag is 100k, not only satisfaction, also ownership, prestige ... etc are very important factors.

Isn't there an Af0 in the works? If so, what are the anticipated sonic improvements? Surely there will not be just aesthetic differences.

 

[jpetek]

Bye the Way they say this is one of the best player on earth....

 

[JackD201]

The only time I've ever hear the 1 and 2 side by side with the same cart and electronics (not arm) was in the Tokyo show. I would be lying if I said I could tell the difference. I'm pretty sure if I had them in my own system for a while I could spot some. It probably wouldn't be easy but I'm sure I could. I have a very quiet room and a system with bass output past what my phonic can measure.

 

[rockitman]

The only time I've ever hear the 1 and 2 side by side with the same cart and electronics (not arm) was in the Tokyo show. I would be lying if I said I could tell the difference. I'm pretty sure if I had them in my own system for a while I could spot some. It probably wouldn't be easy but I'm sure I could. I have a very quiet room and a system with bass output past what my phonic can measure.

There is a distinct sound difference easy to hear on the AF1 by switching out the upper platter from aluminum to stainless steel. If I had an AF2 side by side with my AF1, I am sure I could tell the difference.

 

[JackD201]

I have 2 upper platters too so I'm pretty sure as well.

 

[garylkoh]

There is a distinct sound difference easy to hear on the AF1 by switching out the upper platter from aluminum to stainless steel. If I had an AF2 side by side with my AF1, I am sure I could tell the difference.

May be the system/room employed did not have the resolution to show up the difference between AF1 and AF2? I completely agree with rockitman that it is easy to hear the difference between two AF1 platters. Heck, I could hear the difference between having the motor cover on and off with the AF1 (even though this I totally did not expect). On the AF1 I had experience with (prototype suspension) you can even hear the difference when using different racks under the HRS platform provided.

 

[JackD201]

Did they actually have the two side by side in the German review? It's easy to make any two identical turntables with identical *everything else* sound different. The only thing I'm sure of is that you can tap on a playing record with both and not hear your tapping through the loudspeakers.