Turntable Details
Drive
Belt
Motor
AC
Wow & Flutter %
0.06
Rumble [dB]
-77
Speed
33, 45
Dimensions [mm]
Platter Material
Platter Diameter [mm]
300.0
Total Weight [kg]
Tonearm
Year Built
1984
Platter Weight [kg]
2.00
Plinth Material
Price
£115
Additional information
The CJ Walker CJ 58 turntable is a well-regarded model designed by Colin Walker, known for its simplicity and effective engineering. Below is a detailed technical description of its features and specifications.
Design and Construction
Material Composition: The CJ 58 is constructed primarily from wood, featuring a veneered timber and particleboard plinth that rests on cork feet. This design choice helps to control resonances and reduce coloration in sound reproduction, as wood is less resonant than metals like steel.
Subchassis: The turntable incorporates a wooden subchassis, which is designed to be both stiff and non-resonant. This subchassis is suspended using a classical three-spring system, allowing for effective isolation of vibrations.
Motor and Drive System
Motor Type: The CJ 58 uses a 16-pole AC synchronous motor, which drives the platter via a belt. This motor type is known for its low torque, resulting in a startup time of approximately five seconds.
Platter: The platter measures 300mm in diameter and is made from Tufnol, a dense resin-bonded laminate plastic. This material choice minimizes resonance and provides stability during playback. The platter is driven manually by shifting the belt on the motor pulley to switch between speeds.
Performance Features
Speed Control: The turntable offers manual speed change options for 33 and 45 RPM. Users have noted that the speed may run slightly slow due to motor tolerances, with an absolute speed error reported at -0.5%.
Wow and Flutter: The CJ 58 exhibits low wow and flutter measurements, with figures around 0.15% (DIN weighted), indicating good speed stability during playback.
Rumble: Rumble measurements are impressive, with reports indicating values around -75 dB DIN B weighted, suggesting effective noise isolation from the motor.
User Experience
The CJ Walker CJ 58 has been praised for its sound quality, particularly in terms of stereo imaging and dynamic range. It typically comes equipped with the Mission 774 LC tonearm, enhancing its overall performance capabilities. The turntable's construction allows for easy adjustments without requiring special tools, making it user-friendly for both novices and experienced audiophiles alike