TechDAS Air Force Zero (real final photo)

[maxson]

That's a 3012 in the rear position? Someone at TechDas is reading What's Best?

 

[CKKeung]

The report of TAS is unexpectedly fast!

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/techdas-air-force-zero-turntable-preview/

 

[spiritofmusic]

Interesting the report says a 12" SAT was on the AF0. I thought there was a parting of the ways?

 

[TLi]

Interesting the report says a 12" SAT was on the AF0. I thought there was a parting of the ways?

The host, Audio Salon, is the dealer of SAT arm. It makes sense to mount one for the demo. I would like to know whether the SAT was ever played?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Makes sense. Looks like AF0 is trancendental.

 

[PeterA]

I find it impressive that the reviewer is able to identify the contribution of the turntable relative to each of the other components in this unfamiliar system and room. He even compares the sound of this table in isolation to that of his reference Caliburn at home. I wish I had his experience to help me make such clear conclusions about gear. I assume he was focusing on the noise floor and pitch/speed accuracy that this table achieves. That violin and piano piece must have been awesome for this. I think it is a well written and informative brief impression and quickly released so soon after the event.

Perhaps Ron Resnick will share his impressions. He was at the event.

 

[bonzo75]

I find it impressive that the reviewer is able to identify the contribution of the turntable relative to each of the other components in this unfamiliar system and room. He even compares the sound of this table in isolation to that of his reference Caliburn at home. I wish I had his experience to help me make such clear conclusions about gear. I assume he was focusing on the noise floor and pitch/speed accuracy that this table achieves. That violin and piano piece must have been awesome for this. I think it is a well written and informative brief impression and quickly released so soon after the event.

Perhaps Ron Resnick will share his impressions. He was at the event.

Actually, microstrip loves this reviewer because he does not compare.

 

[Tango]

Is the Argerich/Kremer Beethoven Sonata album gobsmackingly good?

Kind regards,
Tang

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I find it impressive that the reviewer is able to identify the contribution of the turntable relative to each of the other components in this unfamiliar system and room. He even compares the sound of this table in isolation to that of his reference Caliburn at home. I wish I had his experience to help me make such clear conclusions about gear. I assume he was focusing on the noise floor and pitch/speed accuracy that this table achieves. That violin and piano piece must have been awesome for this. I think it is a well written and informative brief impression and quickly released so soon after the event.

Perhaps Ron Resnick will share his impressions. He was at the event.

Hi Peter,

Are you being sarcastic? I wasn’t sure - please excuse me if not as I assumed you were. I read that piece and thought how much utter crap can one person spout about such a comparative assessment with a completely different room and components. Utter tosh - brings hifi reviewing into total disrepute imho ymmv.

That said - no disrespect to AF0 - would love to hear it!!

Best.

 

[Steve Williams]

To me it seems any and all reviewers are wanting to get their names on some quick review to link their name and publication with the AF Zero

 

[Steve Williams]

Has there even been a definitive review of the Zero yet.

I am hoping to hear the table in a friend or two's systems in the near future. For me that would be all revealing

 

[Steve Williams]

I understand yesterday's unveiling was together with the fabled large Wilson Chronosonic speaker with it's accompanying sub towers

I am sure Ron will have something to say about his experience yesterday

 

[PeterA]

Hi Peter,

Are you being sarcastic? I wasn’t sure - please excuse me if not as I assumed you were. I read that piece and thought how much utter crap can one person spout about such a comparative assessment with a completely different room and components. Utter tosh - brings hifi reviewing into total disrepute imho ymmv.

That said - no disrespect to AF0 - would love to hear it!!

Best.

Yes Bill, it was a bit sarcastic, especially the comparison part. I just shake my head when I read this stuff. However, if someone hears a fantastic system and it sets some new standard for him, I get that. I've had such experiences. I just have trouble when someone can identify what is responsible for what in such a brief listening session to an unfamiliar system and room. It is what it is and there is a lot of buzz about this for many reasons already discussed. I never thought I would suggest this, but the AS2000 seems like a relative bargain. I've heard it in Rockitman's system and compared it to his AF1. Big difference.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Yes Bill, it was a bit sarcastic, especially the comparison part. I just shake my head when I read this stuff. However, if someone hears a fantastic system and it sets some new standard for him, I get that. I've had such experiences. I just have trouble when someone can identify what is responsible for what in such a brief listening session to an unfamiliar system and room. It is what it is and there is a lot of buzz about this for many reasons already discussed. I never thought I would suggest this, but the AS2000 seems like a relative bargain. I've heard it in Rockitman's system and compared it to his AF1. Big difference.

Ah good - phew.

I don’t doubt the AF0 is really good though - I would really love to hear one.

In terms of AS2000, well it looks a very well engineered beast and I know Ked enjoyed it. Tang’s videos speak for themselves too.

 

[NorthStar]

To me it seems that one of the main quality foundations of a turntable is the weight, the solidity, the unshakable spinning vinyl on the platine table top.
Some are build more vertically, the Air Force Zero also expands its mass horizontally. ...She is big and takes considerable estate space.

As for the preview writer (TAS); he's doing his job...telling it like he heard it
I thought the selection of his words matches the music selections as played on the Air Force Zero TT.

And this is only the beginning, as its designer said; there are still more fine-tuning to perform.
With turntables there is always more refinements to explore and play with; it's part of the entire art of album's rotation.

Me I like his previewed description. That's important in a good audio writer, IMO.
It shows passion and respect above all. ...Passion and respect of Music.

It's nice, to see the pursuit of ultra high end audio without boundaries.
...To keep the UHE audio flame alive for the best possible music reproduction.
We have music treasures, we want the best playback machines for those treasures.
...The Best architecture, well engineered, extremely solid, fundamentally sounds.
It's not for the money and the glory, it's for the envelope with a cachet of essence inside.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

To me it seems that one of the main quality foundations of a turntable is the weight, the solidity, the unshakable spinning vinyl on the platine table top.
Some are build more vertically, the Air Force Zero also expands its mass horizontally. ...She is big and takes considerable estate space.

As for the preview writer (TAS); he's doing his job...telling it like he heard it
I thought the selection of his words matches the music selections as played on the Air Force Zero TT.

And this is only the beginning, as its designer said; there are still more fine-tuning to perform.
With turntables there is always more refinements to explore and play with; it's part of the entire art of album's rotation.

Me I like his previewed description. That's important in a good audio writer, IMO.
It shows passion and respect above all. ...Passion and respect of Music.

It's nice, to see the pursuit of ultra high end audio without boundaries.
...To keep the UHE audio flame alive for the best possible music reproduction.
We have music treasures, we want the best playback machines for those treasures.
...The Best architecture, well engineered, extremely solid, fundamentally sounds.
It's not for the money and the glory, it's for the envelope with a cachet of essence inside.

Hi Northstar,

I personally think he has more responsibility with such a readership to not make cross comparative statements like that - makes him look a fool imho. Anyway - just my honest opinion.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I know compares are very useful, but is it not possible for a reviewer who knows his own piece of gear inside out (in this case, Continuum tt) to realise it's been comprehensively outclassed by a new one, even in an unfamiliar system?
Surely there are traits one can identify in another system as better or worse from deep awareness of one's own component in one's home system?

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I know compares are very useful, but is it not possible for a reviewer who knows his own piece of gear inside out (in this case, Continuum tt) to realise it's been comprehensively outclassed by a new one, even in an unfamiliar system?
Surely there are traits one can identify in another system as better or worse from deep awareness of one's own component in one's home system?

There are traits of the system totality yes but to attribute that solely to the TT is incorrect.

This is elementary fundamentals of a pre-school scientific experiment.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

The cartridge and phonostage are so utterly influential on the sound of the TT never mind speakers, amps, room acoustics etc etc.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Sure Bill. I did pass Chemistry, Biology and Physics A-Levels in 1982 LOL.