TEAC TN-5BB

The TN-5BB turntable stands out for its balanced MC output, its composite chassis combining synthetic marble, washi paper and MDF, as well as its universal 9-inch S-shaped tonearm, fitted with a knife-edge bearing. This hybrid design, combining several materials, aims to eliminate unwanted vibrations. The structure rests on two levels: a thick 36 mm MDF base with strong internal loss, topped with a 12 mm synthetic marble plate renowned for its rigidity (the whole housing weighing 8.8 kg). This rigidity combined with vibration absorption gives the unit good resistance to feedback. The tonearm and platter rest on the upper synthetic marble plate, while the motor, a source of vibration, is fixed to the MDF base: this separation, where each material plays a damping role, isolates the tonearm from the motor and greatly limits the transmission of vibrations between the two, giving the whole assembly great stability.

Platter rotation is handled by a belt-drive system called PRS3, ensuring precision and consistency. The platter itself is made of acrylic, a material chosen for its flatness and internal loss; 20 mm thick and weighing 1.7 kg, it provides high inertia. Vinyl records tend to accumulate negative charges, a property shared by acrylic; as the two materials are close on the triboelectric scale, their mutual friction generates little static electricity, even in direct contact. Records can therefore be placed directly on the platter, without a mat, for a clean sound.

Groove tracking benefits from a knife-edge pivot tonearm developed with SAEC, a Japanese manufacturer with 40 years' experience in this field; the use of a stainless steel knife-edge bearing for vertical movement provides tracking that is both sensitive and reliable. A motorised lifting arm allows the cartridge to be raised and lowered at the press of a button, with an automatic lift-up function at the end of the record thanks to a contactless optical sensor; this latter function can be disabled for playing non-standard records.

As for connections, the analogue output offers, in addition to standard RCA sockets, XLR connectors. Commercially available cables allow the unit to be connected to an external phono preamplifier such as the PE-505, or to any other model accepting a balanced XLR input.