With a reinforced double chassis in marble and aluminium, proportionally combined with a 350 millimetre rotating plate, the TH350 produces an elevated dynamic sound. The engine system with a larger flywheel, magnetic suspensions and screwable clamp combine to an extremely robust assembly, to guarantee the sound greater authority and an expanded sound stage, obtaining an extremely high level of fidelity but also a thoroughly physical listening experience.
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The oversized platter
The TH350 has a turntable with a diameter of 350mm. These dimensions are unusual in traditional turntables and allow for higher inertial torque, i.e. that force which prevents slowdowns or rotation disturbances, which translates into greater dynamics and sound authority when listening. The stability of the platter is ensured by a reinforced plinth made up of a double layer of black Marquinia marble and aluminium. The aluminium turntable is coupled with another damping and antistatic plastic disc above, in order to reduce resonances. The plate is fixed by an extremely robust polished pin, inserted in a support with lubricated bushings. This rotation system guarantees rotational stability. The shaft is polished to minimise friction noise and avoid wear and tear to the bushings. The pin is supported by a hardened durable steel ball. Particular care has been taken with the foothold of this sphere in order to minimise resonances.
The solid drive unit
One of the main parameters that contributes to emotional involvement during a listening session is dynamics, and more specifically transient response. This is often compromised due to compression during the making of a vinyl record. Restoring full dynamics becomes essential for a more engaging and enhanced listening experience. That is why Thuono Audio turntables are designed to give the maximum dynamic expansion. Turntables with belt drive systems and those where motor drives are separated from the chassis, such as in the TH350, can curtail motor rumble transmission. However, this system can also reduce energy transmission. To avoid this inconvenience and assure maximum dynamics, without sacrificing anything on a clear and high-fidelity sound, the use of a flywheel has been introduced which allows for greater stability in rotation speed and a reduction of the jerky movements typical of any motor. The flywheel also ensures a greater (rotational) inertia giving the sound increased dynamics and rich texture. With a 140 mm diameter flywheel, the TH350 guarantees even greater thrust and performance than the TH300. A direct current (DC) motor mounted on ball-bearings has been placed in a flexible rubber support that further reduces vibrations and rumble. The motor and flywheel have been attached to a solid black Marquinia marble cylinder to guarantee even greater stability. Rotation speed is monitored by an encoder. This system ensures stability and immediate recovery in case of changes in friction which can derive from mechanical alterations.
33 and 45 rpm without deviations
The power supply includes a microprocessor combined with a Hall effect sensor which regulates motor stability while maintaining a constant platter speed rotation of exactly 33,33 or 45 RPM. This power unit ensures the absence of electrical noise thanks to a linear regulation system that is free from switching mode disturbances. The power converter is devoid of dispersed magnetic fields because of the presence of magnetic short circuit coils.
Magnetically suspended for greater noise isolation
As it is a highly sensitive receptor, the cartridge can detect even the most minuscule vibrations which can negatively affect sonic clarity. That is why vibrational disturbances are among the main factors that can reduce sound quality. Those vibrations can come from the speakers, travel through the ground or air, or they can originate from the mechanical components of the turntable itself such as the motor drive and rotating platter. In order to reduce vibrations, Thuono Audio has designed three magnetic suspensions which support the entire chassis and not just the platter. This solution allows cohesive functioning of the platter and tonearm in an integrated rigid system that does not minimally compromise dynamics.
Contrary to traditional spring suspensions, magnetic suspensions minimise contact between the upper and lower chassis creating additional noise isolation and enhancing sound clarity. Magnetic suspensions are made up of two oppositely placed magnetic rings. The upper ring is connected to the suspension shaft, which is driven by a self-lubricating, low-friction bushing that does not require maintenance over its lifetime. This system allows for supreme fluidity of movement and therefore, excellent vibration damping. Furthermore, oversized turntable support discs designed to further lessen vibrations have been placed under the chassis.
The clamp for an elevated listening experience
The TH350 model includes the Thuono Audio Clamp. It is a screw-on clamp that presses the record down so that it lays tighter to the platter. Materials such as bronze and aluminium have been chosen to provide optimal handling of resonances and sound balance. When listening with this clamp, it is possible to perceive an increased sonic richness as well as more spatial localization and a thick texture. A special copyrighted electromagnetic disc developed in collaboration with Sublima Audio Research is attached to the base of the clamp. While a record plays, small contact microcharges can commonly form between grooves causing the stylus to lift by a few microns and spoil the sound quality.
Moreover, those microcharges are among the main factors that cause wear and tear, both to the stylus diamond as well as the grooves of the record itself. Some intervention on electrostatic charge is therefore essential. The disc at the base of the clamp helps to absorb these contact charges and to improve not only record reproduction, but also the lifespan of the stylus diamond and records themselves. With the Thuono Audio Clamp, reproduction becomes clearer and richer in both harmonics and timber and above all accurate sound range reproduction.
Technical features
- Total weight: approx. 45 kg (without tonearm and power supply)
- Dimensions:
- Width: 685 mm
- Depth: 467 mm
- Height: 334 mm
- Plate dimension: ⌀ 350 mm
- Plate weight: 12 kg
- Speed ranges: 33,33 and 45 RPM
- Drive unit: High torque 12V DC motor, belt drive
- Power consumption:
- Consumption in operation: 7,5 W
- Standby mode: 5 W
- Off mode: 0 W