Clearaudio Master Innovation Assembly pics

Hi Chris,

I am using a graham phantom supreme with a Koetsu Coralstone primarily. I also have a second arm wand with an Ortofon A90 ready to go when desired.

I would not be surprised if a new Innovation sounds better than the older acrylic master reference and for less money too.

^^^ Sorry Kostas..I have no listening experience with the Master Reference.

Lewm,

The lower acrylic platter has magnets as does the top acrylic platter. The bottom platter sits where it is due to the weight of it and the heavy stainless sub platter riding on a traditional brass bushing bearing. The upper acrylic magentic platter is attached via a shaft to the record platter up top and they both ride (Float) on one ceramic magnetic bearing. The magnetic bearing levitates both the record platter and the upper acrylic magnetic drive platter so the magnets between both magnetic drive platters never touch....the magnetic force is not that strong between the two. The speed accuracy is stunning for a belt drive. I suspect that even though there is a low compliant issue with magnetic force (ie: play), in my mind it helps the speed consistency as we are talking about almost zero friction with the magnetic bearing, optical speed control and a lot of spinning mass....close to 50lbs. Any micro speed deviation happening with the belt/motor driven platter are offset by the rotational mass, frictionless bearing and the compliance of the magnetic force which imo, helps to absorb any micro speed variation by the belt driven platter.

I did not consider any other turntable.

Hi Lewm...hard to put it in words. If you are familiar with the CA Innovation, you know when you put downward force on the platter, the platter goes down a bit, then pops back up when you remove the downward force, hence the platter magnetic floating concept I alluded to. With the Master, the CMB is sealed so I could not see it. There is a rigid shaft that holds the upper magentic patter to the delrin record platter. It's a rigid connection. Some how that shaft that rigidly couples to upper mag platter with the record platter is supported by the magnetic bearing, hence the float. When I put downward force on the record platter, the upper mag platter also moves down, but not far enough to make physical contact with the lower acrylic drive platter that has the belt on it.

Interesting that the Clearaudio site still has no info or mention of the Master Innovation.

^^^Kostas,

Looking a bit closer at the upper record patter assembly, this is what I have found. If you are familiar with the standard (double plinth) Innovation, the unit comes with the ceramic bearing exposed. You have to lubricate it and the inside of the bearing outer metal jacket that supports the metal sub-platter. What's different about the Master Innovation is that the bearing is sealed inside the bearing outer metal jacket. The outer jacket keeps the platter from lateral movement while at the same time floating the platter on the opposing magnetic force just as with the regular innovation. It appears the upper acrylic magnetic platter shaft is affixed to the bearing outer jacket, hence it floats in harmony with the delrin record platter when downward force is applied. The upper double plinth, upper acrylic magnetic platter and bearing/jacket are pre-assembled in the factory. The bearing appears to require no furthur lubrication maintenance. Hope this helps.

I have not heard the amg wood. I paid $24K as an early adopter. It is now $28K.