WHAT IF….
In this section, we will often refer to vibration. The stylus vibrates when following the complex
record groove and transfers this energy into an electrical signal which will become the sound you
hear. This vibration however is also a source of potential problems when ignored or
misunderstood. In a turntable design everythin is about vibration and mostly keeping it away from
the minute signal emerging from the record and stylus interface. There is a reason for everything
in your Alexandria and this section is about understanding the mechanical interactions and their
effect on sound
The leveling feet
They control the horizontal plane of the turntable and they are terminated in a convex shapes. The
leveling of the turntable is vital to its performance. An improperly leveled turntable will have an
effect on the platter spindle and bearing by increasing its drage. This increased drag will be similar
to something slowing down the spindle. A loss of momentum will occur and cause the sound to
smear loosing punch and focus. The increased drag will also mean more noise accessing through
the platter’s spindle to the stylus playing the record groove. The effect can be sufficient to overlap
with and eliminate the subtle informaion in the record groove. The convex shape offers a very
small surface contact. This will have the effect of reducing the access of external vibration to the
turntable.
The suspension system
If improperly calibrated many problems will emerge from this innocent looking system. The effect
of the suspension system on the sound is so great we could compare it to the sonic differences of
a dead sounding recording studio to a live and spacious sounding concert hall.
The reason behind this is simple. All we have to understand is that very subtle signals like the
sustain ringing of a bell, the echo of the concert hall, the light and delicate sound of chines or any
other breeze like signals are of a very low amplitude which could be equaled or impaired by other
signals like unfiltered energy accessing though an improperly set up suspension system. This
would have the unfortunate effect of being picked up by the stylus playing the record groove
resulting in an increased noise floor resulting in cancellation of low amplitude signals. The
suspension set up will also have a tremdous effect ont the stability of the turntable system while
playing the record.
ALEXANDRIA MK III
Owner’s manual
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