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Second, the tone arm tube is filled with specific sand to further dampen resonance and bad vibes. The third unique feature is the use of a triangular Teflon hole for the stainless steel platter spindle. With a conventional sleeve bearing the contact with the bearing surface is at a single point which can cause vibration or chatter. With the round spindle rotating in a triangular hole, contact is at two points resulting in zero clearance and higher stability. (Note: earlier versions of the Amadeus featured an upper Teflon bearing with a square hole.) The precision point of the spindle rests in a small hole on a Teflon thrust bearing. As with the tone arm, there is no metal-on-metal contact.


With these three clever features, the issue of resonance and vibration are rendered nearly non-existent. How non-existent? WTL claims rumble (bearing and motor noise) lower than -50dB compared to a 100Hz tone recorded at a level of 1cm/sec. Wow/flutter (low and high frequency tone variations influenced by motor, belt, spindle bearing, concentricity of platter to spindle and the combination of cartridge to frequency stability) are said to be from 0.03% to 0.04% using the Japan Industrial Standard (JIS).


The Amadeus tone arm has an effective length of 10.5 inches. Since the head shell is fixed in what Well Tempered Lab feels is the optimum position, there is no provision for overhang adjustment. This may turn off the more obsessive-compulsive types but Firebaugh stands by the results of his extensive testing. For the curious a more detailed explanation is available on WTL’s website. As far as I am concerned, one less adjustment to screw up or fuss over is a good thing.


Downforce is adjustable via standard moveable counterweight while a set screw on the suspension pillar looks after VTA. Azimuth is controllable by rotating the metal knob (azimuth adjustment collar) that supports the tone arm. Incidentally you can adjust this whilst a record is playing.


The plinth sports two layers of MDF with a 3mm layer of unspecified damping material between them. The platter is acrylic and comes with a nice foam-like mat. The belt is a .004" monofilament poly thread. The motor pulley is cleverly designed to guide the belt knot away from its surface thus avoiding any stability or noise issues. To adjust speed from 33 to 45rpm, just slip the belt from the lower portion of the pulley to the upper one. The Amadeus uses a small DC motor driven by a proprietary torque servo. A layer of isolation material decouples motor from plinth. Power supply is a plug-in wall-wart type.


The table suspension consists of four factory-fitted squash balls set within four metal posts. Why reinvent the wheel when there’s a less costly but effective off-the-shelf solution available? As the table is not height adjustable, either slide coins under the feet or level the shelf on your rack. I used a couple of shims that came with my Grand Prix Audio Monaco rack.

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