Air Force 1 Premium - New Flagship
- Thread starter MatthewC
- Start date
The AF1Ps are in full swing production. I will be leaving for Tokyo tomorrow for much needed R&R. 2016 was a very hard year for me. So much went on. Anyways, I will be visiting Stella Inc again this coming Tuesday to touch base with our friends there. I will be allowed to take some photos and will have time to discuss many things TechDAS with Nishikawa-san. If there's anything you gentlemen would like to ask him, let me know here and I will gladly pass the questions along. The AF1P knocked our collective socks off at the HK show last August, we would be Steve, Jadis, Raf D, Keith(Nephilim) and Gary.
I wish Forthwise hadn't had power problems in there room that precluded them from using Gary's towers. The Walker was very, very good too unfortunately I felt that the sound was handicapped by using emergency replacement speakers (not broken in) that I felt could not convey due to the aforementioned circumstance what the Walker and DartZeels are capable of. I have no doubt the Genesis speakers would have allowed the opposite to ring true. I digress, anyway, let me know guys. I have a lot of questions myself and the TD guys are always great to talk with despite a bit of a language barrier now and then.
I wish Forthwise hadn't had power problems in there room that precluded them from using Gary's towers. The Walker was very, very good too unfortunately I felt that the sound was handicapped by using emergency replacement speakers (not broken in) that I felt could not convey due to the aforementioned circumstance what the Walker and DartZeels are capable of. I have no doubt the Genesis speakers would have allowed the opposite to ring true. I digress, anyway, let me know guys. I have a lot of questions myself and the TD guys are always great to talk with despite a bit of a language barrier now and then.
Thanks for the offer!
As someone building up an AF1 Premium Economy
I would like to know:1) When will the new spindle and tungsten record weigh be made available
2) When will the upgrade scheme be announced
3) Whats the latest w/ AF0?
Thanks!
Jack,
My apologies, I missed your question a few months ago. The Air Force one I am addressing is my Forsell Air Force One, not the TD! The Forsell turntable had two versions - the Reference (synchronous motor with a silicone elastic belt) and the Air Force One (air bearing external large flywheel with dental floss thread, DC motor). Because the DC motor is unstable (although it sounds great when it decides to work!
) the flywheel was lately being driven by an external AC motor controlled by two amplifiers ...
Thanks for the offer!
As someone building up an AF1 Premium Economy
1) When will the new spindle and tungsten record weigh be made available
2) When will the upgrade scheme be announced
3) Whats the latest w/ AF0?
Thanks!
Will surely ask for you Matt. Where are you by the way, in case the rollout of the upgrade programs will be staggered across regions?
Jack,
My apologies, I missed your question a few months ago. The Air Force one I am addressing is my Forsell Air Force One, not the TD! The Forsell turntable had two versions - the Reference (synchronous motor with a silicone elastic belt) and the Air Force One (air bearing external large flywheel with dental floss thread, DC motor). Because the DC motor is unstable (although it sounds great when it decides to work!
No problemo F
I inferred that a while back AF-1 Premiuim availablity
Just a footnote to all this: According to my latest correspondence from Stella, the AF-1 Premium production has shifted slightly, and that ordered units (including one for me) will start to ship the first of this year. No exact date is scheduled yet, but it will probably be soon. If it's available by Axpona time, you may be able to see it there, along with a Premium-type upgrade to the Elite tonearm (retrofittable, naturally). Stay tuned for more on all that. Also, we're working with a new website developer to bring out ancient page up to date, and all pertinent news will then be available there, as well.. - Bob Graham
The AF1Ps are in full swing production. I will be leaving for Tokyo tomorrow for much needed R&R. 2016 was a very hard year for me. So much went on. Anyways, I will be visiting Stella Inc again this coming Tuesday to touch base with our friends there. I will be allowed to take some photos and will have time to discuss many things TechDAS with Nishikawa-san. If there's anything you gentlemen would like to ask him, let me know here and I will gladly pass the questions along. The AF1P knocked our collective socks off at the HK show last August, we would be Steve, Jadis, Raf D, Keith(Nephilim) and Gary.
I wish Forthwise hadn't had power problems in there room that precluded them from using Gary's towers. The Walker was very, very good too unfortunately I felt that the sound was handicapped by using emergency replacement speakers (not broken in) that I felt could not convey due to the aforementioned circumstance what the Walker and DartZeels are capable of. I have no doubt the Genesis speakers would have allowed the opposite to ring true. I digress, anyway, let me know guys. I have a lot of questions myself and the TD guys are always great to talk with despite a bit of a language barrier now and then.
Just a footnote to all this: According to my latest correspondence from Stella, the AF-1 Premium production has shifted slightly, and that ordered units (including one for me) will start to ship the first of this year. No exact date is scheduled yet, but it will probably be soon. If it's available by Axpona time, you may be able to see it there, along with a Premium-type upgrade to the Elite tonearm (retrofittable, naturally). Stay tuned for more on all that. Also, we're working with a new website developer to bring out ancient page up to date, and all pertinent news will then be available there, as well.. - Bob Graham
Yup. No exact date for mine either Bob only that we belong to the first batch. I'm hoping ours will make it here by February.
I am based in Hong Kong at the moment. A while ago I asked forthwise to check (um... A few times hehe) and I haven't checked recently. I happen to have the titanium upper platter and I think the tungsten weight will probably be the perfect match....
Thanks!
Ah Hong Kong, you should be at the very top of the list along with Singapore. The three companies have been very close for many, many years from the Cello days. I'll ask anyway
Had the Premium set up with my existing titanium platter last night. Only had a brief listen but the improvements are obvious. On a high level things are little changed, but the sound is more delicate, more nuanced, and more dynamic. Ultimately, it sounded organic. The more I listened, the more satisfied that I made the right choice. To be honest, I was expecting the combined new functions and sound quality upgrade may justified the cost, but now I think the sound quality alone is worth the upgrade.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
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Amazingly, there is already a new version of Premium.... now with an extra air condenser box, which looks just like the condenser box from the orginal AF1, making the Premium a 4-piece affair. According to a Jadis sales, the air bladder in the feet are also larger and there were some changes to the electronics.
The sad part.... according the to new Hong Kong dealer Jadis, the original AF1P can NOT be upgraded to the latest version.... as a die hard TechDas fan.... not impressed at all.
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I give them five pieces and it would still be just an AF1 plus a few more pennies of changes.
I'm in that camp. That said I worry about future reliability and service of this "Complex" designed TT with "many" different electronic parts and seals/bladders that could fail at some point. Will Stella be there for us ? With every iteration of the AF1, it gets more complex...more service worry. That is why I took a step back from the latest technology into the world of TT design simplicity as an alternative to my AF1 standard. It was a good move. I like having both knowing one is for life...the other, not so sure.
Never had any problems with my AF1
Probably the most reliable turntable I have ever had
You used to like the design didn't you ?
Ive had nothing but great service from Techdas
As far as I have seen TechDas is owned by the largest Japanese high-end distributor - it seems to me that there is no reason for your fears. A good acquaintance who has a long precision mechanics background and owns it told me the built quality is exemplary.
Either have I...what about 10 years from now ? Will Nishakawa-San still be doing this ? He is not a spring chicken. At some point the seals and air bladders will have to be replaced.
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