This turntable – with 10MHz Clock Sync capability for the motor drive unit and
3 piece independent chassis configuration – is the culmination of Esoteric’s
unique design philosophy and mechanical/electronic technology.
 
Key Features
Esoteric’s patented contact-free drive system, “Esoteric MagneDrive System”
Magne-Float platter greatly reduces spindle bearing friction by reducing the platter’s effective mass from 19kg down to approx. 4kg.
Consists of 3 separate units: the main unit, the motor unit, and the power supply unit.
A high-quality VCXO motor driver ensures precise platter rotation.
10MHz Clock Sync capability with the Grandioso G1X Master Clock.
The inverted bearing system supports the smooth rotation of the platter.
The Micrometer knob on the front panel provides fine-tuning capability of sonic characteristics by adjusting the strength of magnetic force being applied from the magnetic driver to the platter.
Triple layer chassis made of Aluminum and wood effectively controls vibration.
The mid-chassis is applied with beautiful high-gross piano lacquer.
The isolation feet have a special damping mechanism that eliminates external vibration.
Two-speed control (33/45 rpm), adjustable with 0.1% order.
The T1 is offered with TA-9D dynamic balance tonearm or without tonearm configuration.
Optional arm-board allows the T1 to accommodate up to 3 tonearms.
 
FEATURES
 
The Esoteric MagneDrive System (Japan Patent No. 6501130) is a non-contact turntable drive system employing magnetic force for rotation. In order to achieve the philosophy of "Realization of Master Sound in analog playback", it took more than five years from the start of the project to the acquisition of the patent and its commercialization.

A "Magnetic Driver" shaped like an idler is mounted at the end of the drive motor. Its sides are magnetized so that the S and N poles are aligned alternately. The platter itself is non-magnetic aluminum, but a soft-iron "Induction Wheel" shaped like a strobe is mounted on the bottom of the side opposite the driver and is magnetized. As the magnetic driver rotates near the turntable, the platters to rotate synchronously, smoothly, and without contact, thanks to magnetic force.
 
Extremely quiet rotation
For vinyl record playback, which picks up vibrations from record grooves on the order of microns and converts them into audio signals, the elimination of vibrations generated by any motors is essential for master sound reproduction.
 
The Esoteric MagneDrive System is free from motor vibration by making the power transmission from the motor to the platter non-contact, thus obtaining a crystal clear sound.
 
Platter with Magne-Float system
The platter is a high-mass design of 19kg machined from an aluminum block. The Magne-Float system reduces the load on the bearing to approximately 4kg and contributes to quiet rotation by achieving both silky-smooth rotation with high rotational inertia and reduced friction level in an ideal manner. In addition, inverted bearings are employed to bring the platter's fulcrum closer to the vinyl disc's surface and increase the rotation's stability.

The platter surface, which is focused on beautiful appearance, is carefully finished one by one by skilled craftsmen in the final process to increase surface smoothness and create a beautiful spin pattern that resembles craftwork.
 
Accurate synchronous rotation
Along with the non-contact vibration isolation, one of the greatest advantages of the MagneDrive mechanism is the precise rotational accuracy of the platter. Magnetic driver and platter – these two components, like two gears of different sizes, always rotate precisely in a constant ratio.

As long as magnetic synchronization is maintained, there are no speed fluctuations or factors that can cause speed deviations, such as belt stretch, idler or pulley mechanical accuracy, etc.

Since this mechanism follows the one and only law of physics, "reduction ratio" (gear ratio in gears) of the two components, the platter maintains a constant and accurate rotation speed in any conditions. To maximize this beauty of the mechanism, the rotation speed is regulated by directly controlling the current waveform of the motor with a high-precision processor instead of using a conventional servo to correct the platter rotation, resulting in a natural sound free from the fluctuation that is often associated with loop correction.
 
A motor unit incorporating the best of Esoteric technology
The motor unit, which controls the precise rotation of the magnetic driver, is the culmination of Esoteric’s accumulated mechanical and circuit engineering expertise.
The motor unit is isolated from the main unit and thoroughly controlled
by mounting on a heavyweight 6mm-thick brass bottom chassis.
 
The motor driver circuit uses a high-precision 10MHz clock to generate the drive waveforms that drive the motors accurately. Furthermore, supplying extremely pure DC from an independent power supply unit minimizes the transmission of unwanted vibrations to the motor unit.
 
10MHz master clock sync ready
The motor unit is equipped with an external 10MHz clock input. Sound quality can be
further upgraded by connecting the Grandioso G1X master clock generator (sold separately) to supply a higher precision clock to the motor driver.
 
Equipped with dynamic balanced tone arm TA-9D.
The TA-9D is based on IKEDA Sound Labs.’ IT-345, which is in the vein of Fidelity Research’s famous FR-64 has been highly acclaimed worldwide since the heyday of analog audio.
 
The TA-9D employs a dynamic balance system that is resistant to eccentricity
and warping of records and enables stable reading. The dynamic balance system has
a low center of gravity and a thick core tone, while the stainless steel tone arm pipe inlaid with brass and aluminum increases rigidity and optimize vibration modes.

Internal wiring is made of 6N (99.9999%) +4N high-purity hybrid copper wire,
and the VTA elevation allows the height of the arm (VTA) to be adjusted while playing back records.
 
Power supply unit for motor
The power supply unit for the motor is isolated from the motor and supplies
extremely clean and powerful current. A dedicated oversized toroidal power transformer is accommodated in a separated unit. The power supply for the operation is driven by an R-core power transformer separate from that for the motor.

The enclosure, which requires rigidity, is made of aluminum and is thoroughly non-resonant, while the top panel, which needs to be free of vibration for an open sound,
has a semi-floating structure, and the isolation feet with a special structure reduce
mechanical stress and improves sound quality.
 
Turntable Sheet
The turntable sheet is selected from a variety of materials after extensive listening tests
in order to eliminate any coloration of the T1’s tone and to pursue a function
to protect the precious vinyl disc surface from scratches.
In combination with the T1, a sheet of "WASHI," a traditional Japanese paper material
with the most neutral tone employed.