TEAC TN-550 Turntable – Belt-drive analog Record Player

Description

High-grade turntable that combines style with excellent
performance,

including a Dual-material Chassis and “PRS3”.

The TN-550 is an upper-class turntable designed with the
concept of combining high style with excellent performance as an analog
turntable. The TN-550 provides virtue of analog sound in the highest standard
for audiophile who have loved it for decades. 

The cabinet combines artificial marble with high-density MDF in a two-layer
sandwich structure (Dual-material Chassis). In addition to assuring a high
feedback margin, this design realizes clear sound by abating the inherent
resonant frequencies of different materials by combining them. The power train
employs a belt drive with an automatic rotation adjustment mechanism (Platter
Rotation Speed Servo System, or “PRS3”) designed by TEAC. Changes in
the platter rotation speed are immediately detected by an optical sensor and
used as feedback for the motor speed. This allows high-precision rotation speed
that can compete with heavyweight-class belt drive and direct drive systems,
while allowing a sleek and stylish cabinet design. 

No compromises, however, the TN-550 have been made in the design of the basic
performance of the analog components for matured audiophie.

High-precision
Rotation Speed that compares to Direct-drive

Cogging-free Belt-drive with Platter Rotation Sensing
Servo System (PRS3)

This drive system employs a new PRS3 (Platter Rotation Speed
Servo System) that detects insensible changes of the platter rotation speed by
a contactless optical sensor settled at the spindle base, and controls motor
speed after calculation by an on-board microcomputer. It realizes a Belt-drive
mechanism with higher precision that is not outdone by Direct-drive turntables.
The TN-550 achieved both sleek design and cogging-free rotation precision that
compares to a Direct-drive.

What is Cogging?

Cogging is a phenomenon in which the periodic attraction of
the armature and rotor inside the motor is dependent on the rotation angle,
resulting in a fine pulsing. For example, if you turn the axle of a motor with
your fingers, you’ll feel the rotation occurring in steps. This phenomenon is
cogging.

In order to eliminate the cogging on the Direct-drive turntable, it requires a
large numbers of poles in a motor, and complex circuits and mechanism to
achieve smooth rotation. As a result, the drive unit itself must be huge, and
this prevents making the cabinet sleek and elegant.

Electrical-controlled Speed Selector
The speed selector employs an electronically-controlled
speed changing mechanism between 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm, which does not require
bothersome processes of changing the pulley to another one with different
diameter.

Not only speed selector knob, an EP adapter employs a machined aluminum knob
for prestigious feeling.

Clear Acrylic Platter that merges elegance with silence

The 16mm-thick full-size platter made of acrylic resin with
high transparency, shines beautifully, reflecting the surroundings according to
the light level suppresses unwanted sympathetic vibrations. Together with the
pattern of the artificial marble, it presents a unique elegance.

High-precision Spindle and Anti-static Carbon-coated Base

By applying carbon coating to the spindle bearing, hardness
is increased and electrification is controlled, providing excellent static
electricity performance.

Large Torque Motor with a floating structure

Employing a rubber cushion, a large torque motor is settled
to float when attached to the chassis. This suppresses the transmission of
vibrations from the motor to the chassis.

Flat-type Belt

A flat belt is employed to reliably transmit energy to the
motor drive. A urethane flat belt that has little stretch is employed to
reliably drive the acrylic platter. It is also very quiet and provides
excellent durability.

Chassis with Dual Layer structure realizes both weight
and style

The cabinet employs artificial marble with high-density MDF.
By combining different materials in a two-layer structure, this design abates
their inherent resonant frequencies and realizes a clear sound, allowing the
artists voices, which are inscribed in the grooves of the record, to come out
vividly.

The artificial marble not only contributes to the elegant appearance, it is
also excellent in terms of weight, allowing the turntable to realize a
heaviness of about 9 kg while retaining a slim and stylish form. While it has a
rigid structure, it is also able to assure a high feedback margin.

Honeycomb-shaped Bottom Case

The bottom cover employs a honeycomb pattern that prevents
unwanted sympathetic vibrations. The thin bottom cover, which melds into the
stylish design, uses a honeycomb structure for the interior to prevent unwanted
sympathetic vibrations.

Height Adjustable Feet

The four machined aluminum feet can have their heights
adjusted independently. This allows the turntable to be set up on surfaces that
are not flat. In addition, rubber with excellent cushioning is used between
where the feet are installed and the body of the unit to suppress the feedback
of sound to the cabinet.

Newly designed Tone-arm with Anti-skating Mechanism

The static-balanced S-shaped tone-arm features high
flexibility. You can adjust the tone-arm height optimally for the shell and
cartridge you are using. Also, a high-quality PC-Triple C* conductor cables are
employed for the tone-arm cable, so that the phono signal captured by the
needle from the delicate vinyl record is transmitted with pure quality.

What is PC-Triple C?

PC-Triple C stands for “Pure Copper-Continuous Crystal
Construction” allows signals to flow smoothly by eliminating signal
obstructions. With high conductivity and excellent sound characteristics, this
new material is expected to become a replacement for PCOCC. (Made in Japan by
FCM, a subsidiary of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.)

Gold-plated RCA Pin jacks for Phono Audio Output

A pair of RCA Pin jacks are employed on the back panel to
deliver Phono level output.

MM-type Cartridges by audio-technica (except TN-550-CA)

An MM-type cartridge equivalent to audio-technica AT100E is
already installed at the factory, as the universal type head-shell employs
PC-Triple C wiring for pure signal travel.

Detachable Dust Cover

By removing the dust cover from the unit, you and your
guests will enjoy to see how music revives from vinyl record.

Feature List

 

• 45 and
  33-1/3 rpm 2-speed Cogging-free Belt Drive Turntable

• “PRS3”
  Platter Rotation Sensing Servo System for Precise Rotate Speed

• Sleek
  Resonance-free Dual Material Compound by Marble Stone and High-density MDF

• Crystal
  Clear Acrylic Platter with Perimeter Belt Drive

• High-precision
  Spindle with Anti-static Carbon-coated base

• Height
  Adjustable Anti-skating Tone-arm with PC-Triple C Wiring

• Universal
  Head-shell with PC-Triple C Wiring

• Honeycomb-shaped
  Bottom Case

• MM-type
  Cartridge by audio-technica (except Canada model)

• Height
  Adjustable Feet

• Machined
  Aluminum EP Adapter

 

Turntable section
Type	Belt Drive
Motor	DC Motor
SPeed	33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
Servo System	PRS3 (Platter Rotation Speed Servo System)
Rotatin Speed Variation	+/–0.2%
Wow and Flutters	0.1%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	more than 67dB (A-weighted, 20kHz LPF)
Platter Material	Acrylic
Platter Size	Full-size (300mm diameter, 16mm thickness)
Platter Weight	approx. 1.4kg / 3.1 lbs.
Tone-arm section
Type	Static Balanced S-shape Tone-arm (Height Adjustable)
Effective Arm Lenght	223mm
Over-hang	18mm
Tracking Error	less than 3 degrees
Stylus Pressure Range	0 to 5g
Supported Cartridge Weight	15 to 23g（incl. Headshell）
Height Adjust Range	approx. 6mm
Anti-skating Adjustent	Supported
Cartridge section	(except TN-550-CA)
Type	MM-type (equivalent to audio-technica AT100E)
Output Voltage	4.5mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.)
Stylus Pressure	1.4g +/–0.4g
Cartridge Weight	6.5g +/-0.2g
Headshell Weight	10g (incl. Screw, Nuts and Wires）
Analog Output
Connector	RCA Pin x 1pair (gold-plated)
Output Voltage	4.5mV (+/-3dB)
Operation Power	AC 100 to 240V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption	1.5W (0.5W at Standby)
Overall Dimensions	430 x 131.5 x 355mm / 16.9″ x 5.2″ x 14.0 (W x H x D, incl. protrusions)
Weight	approx. 9.0kg / 19.9 lbs.
Accessories	AC Adapter (GPE053A-120050-Z), EP Adapter, Counter Weight, Head-shell, Cartridge (except. Canada model), Acrylic Platter, Dust Cover, Hinges x 2, Pulley Cover, Flat Belt, Washers x 4, Hex Wrench, RCA Audio Cable with GND terminals, Owner’s Manual (incl. Warranty card)

* RoHS complied。

* Design and specification may change without notice.