Dimensions: 17’ × 12’ Medium
Ceiling: 20’
The TS series is ideal for precision research instruments that require a low operating noise floor and absolute stability. The vibration isolation performance of every TS table allow research instruments to maximize their resolution by removing the ambient vibration noise from affecting their data. Essentially, any instrument sensitive to vibration noise less than 5 Hz can greatly benefit from the unique technology found within a TS Series table.
With isolated armpods, the effects of vibrations in the turntable supporting stand or platform (from Structure-Borne and Air-Borne transmission) is magnified.
When you realise the extent of these 'vibrations' (via the LCD display on the TS-140) and hear what the removal of them 'sounds' like.....it is a revelation.
The bi-Axis inertia control tonearm is in effect two arms in one - the main arm beam has an effective-mass that is 3 or 4 times higher compared with conventional tone- arm but moves only horizontally. On the other hand, the sub-arm has a lower effective-mass than any conventional tonearm but moves only in the vertical direction.
This combination means that the high effective-mass in the horizontal direction holds the cartridge steady at audio frequencies, especially at low frequencies and high groove excursions, whilst the low vertical effective-mass allows unmatched warp-riding performance.
The only weaknesses appear to be the inaccuracy of the VTF scale (or rather the difficulty in co-ordinating it with the real Force) and the inexplicable lack of quality control in the flimsy headshell leads and the supplied phono cable.
The headshell itself is nothing to write home about and can be readily improved upon.
But this arm is archi-tectonically designed to impress....
"Our engineers again applied the complete suite of advanced software available to Continuum Audio Laboratories towards the modelling of the Copperhead arm. Beginning with Finite Element Analysis using NASTRAN, PATRAN, and DYTRAN finalizing in the complex process of Gradient Shape Optimisation using Reshape™ The final Copperhead shape emerged from this process as a refined sleek shape which maintained the “signature” free sound of the Cobra design. The wand is eggshell thin with special contours and compound curves to “shape” the resonant behaviour of the arm. These behaviours are only visible with specialized software tools but clearly audible to experienced listeners. Designing with these tools allows us to bring arm design into the 21st century.
This breakthrough in arm engineering ensures the shape of the wand improves the sound of the arm beyond that which is possible using conventional tube designs."
The new EVO3 Titan is a progression of IsoTek’s original multi-award winning design. Whilst utilising the unique Direct-Coupled© technology, the circuit has been radically updated. EVO3 Titan offers the ultimate high current/ power conditioner in the smallest form factor.
The drivers are downward firing in a front slot-loaded configuration to provide superb bass detail, impact and dynamics while minimizing any potential midrange interference.
Each of the drivers uses a heavy duty 1 1/2 inch, four-layer voice coil engineered to withstand high temperatures. Each voice coil is within a massive 40 oz, high gauss magnet structure for increased control and efficiency. Critically damped, long fiber cones with environmentally stable butyl rubber surrounds are used for excellent rigidity and linearity.
The drivers are connected to a built-in 300-watt amplifier with advanced feed-forward error correction. This powerful amplifier provides the benefits of bi-amplification to the system without the additional expense and complexity of an additional separate amplifier.
The cabinets of the 2W series subwoofers are constructed of MDF (Medium DensityFiberboard), a wood product far more dense and acoustically inert than particle board. FFT analysis and listening tests refined both the shape of the enclosure and the placement of the internal braces. The entire structure is carefully designed to minimize cabinet resonances that could affect the system ’s performance.
Feed-Forward Error Correction
Many subwoofers use a negative feedback or servo control type of error correction that samples the output of the subwoofer amplifier or the movement of the driver and makes comparisons to the original input. When a deviation is detected, a correction signal is generated to counter the error. A shortcoming of these systems is that an error must actually occur before the correction process can begin. The negative feedback and the non-linearities of the correction create their own audible distortions that compromise the performance of the subwoofer.
The 2W series uses Feed-Forward Error Correction (FFEC), which eliminates the errors before they begin. Extensive spectrum, FFT and dynamic analysis of the 2W detected the errors that would occur during normal use. The inverse of these errors was then designed into the integral amplifier to eliminate the errors before they could occur. Errors resulting from coupling, loading, driver phase and frequency non-linearities and thermodynamic box loss are eliminated by FFEC.
The 2Wq’s Unique Adjustable Q
In Subwoofer engineering terms, system Q is the product of a complex mathematical equation derived from driver, electrical and enclosure parameters. In practical terms, it relates to the character of the bass response. A low Q subwoofer sounds highly damped and very tight. A high Q subwoofer produces a warm loose bass with more energy in the most audible bass range. The trick has always been to try to find the subwoofer with the Q that best matched your listening room and personal tastes.
The 2Wq is the first subwoofer to feature adjustable Q.A bass contour control on the rear panel allows you to set the system Q anywhere from .5 (Slightly overdamped, i.e.., tight jazz sound) to 1.2 (Significantly underdamped, i.e., typical mass-market home theater sound). Somewhere in this wide range, you will find the perfect sonic complement for your room and taste.
Conventional powered subwoofers receive their input signal directly from their crossover before the main amplifier. The sonic signature of the main amplifier that is an important part of the sound you hear from the full-range speakers is missing from the subwoofer.
This causes blending and integration problems as the sonic characteristics of the system are different above and below the subwoofer crossover point. This deterioration of system coherence is why conventional subwoofers have never been totally accepted as part of ultra high-performance audio systems.
The 2Wq uses a unique, innovative connection method that reduces the current demands on the main amplifier, but leaves the main amplifier in the signal path to the subwoofer. The system realizes the benefits of bi-amplification with absolute sonic continuity as the main amplifier ’s characteristics that are evident through the full-range speakers are maintained to the deepest bass, but with the power and control of the 2Wq ’s internal 300-watt amplifier.
The crossover of the 2Wq is divided into separate low-pass and high-pass sections. Like conventional subwoofers, the high-pass portion of the 2Wq ’s crossover is inserted into the signal path just before the main power amplifier to roll-off the low-frequency response of the main amplifier and speakers. The critical difference is that the 2Wq does not take its input from its crossover, but samples the output from the main amplifier that is driving the main speakers. To compensate for the low-frequency roll-off induced by the crossover, the response of the 2Wq’s amplifier is contoured to restore the low frequencies to the proper level. The 2Wq ’s input impedance is high enough that it has no effect on the output of the main amplifier.
Since the high-pass portion of the crossover is inserted between the preamplifier and power amplifier, you must be able to separate the preamplifier and power amplifier sections of a receiver or integrated amp for it to be compatible with the 2Wq. In all systems, the input impedance of the main amplifier must be known in order to properly set the 2Wq ’s high-pass crossover. The low pass crossover is integrated with the 2Wq ’s amplifier and does not require adjustment. Both sections of the crossover are transient perfect, 6dB per octave designs. A variable single-ended crossover is included with each 2Wq subwoofer. Optional fixed value crossovers are available both in single-ended and balanced configurations to match any main amplifier.
The output level of the 2Wq can be adjusted to match speakers with an efficiency rating of between 82dB and 100dB. Wires and banana plugs to connect the output of your full-range amplifier to the input of the 2Wq are included with each subwoofer.
Mono or Stereo Bass
There are significant advantages to using two subwoofers. Modern sources such as CDs, DVDs, digital high-resolution music files, and Blu-ray Discs maintain full stereo separation to below 20Hz. Summing the channels into a single subwoofer reduces or cancels all the low-frequency information containing phase differences between the channels. Stereo subwoofers reproduce all of the bass information complete with the phase differences that help provide the imaging and location cues we use to place people and things at distinct points in the sound field. Stereo subwoofers also improve linearity on mono as well as stereo sources by coupling the bass to the room at two points and lend themselves to natural placement near the corners where low frequency room gain is often desirable.
Because of the inherent design of the 2Wq subwoofer.....they work optimally with 'full-range' speakers rather than as 'satellites'.