EAR Disc Master

The EAR Disc Master Turntable is a high-end record player designed by Tim de Paravicini. It features a no-contact drive system using an advanced low-noise motor and geared belt to ensure precise speed control while minimizing vibration. The turntable weighs 50 pounds and is considered more portable than some other high-end models like the Clearaudio Statement.

Most striking is the no-contact drive system. The need to transfer power to the platter of a turntable has always been problematic, as any system with the capacity to transfer power can, by the same means, transfer vibration. Flexible rubber belts have proved a satisfactory solution, but suffer problems of slippage (hence, uncertain speed) and they pull the platter sideways, which can result in stability problems. Tim de Paravicini has arrived at an ingenious solution that solves these problems. A low-noise motor, controlled by a carefully optimized servo loop, drives a sub-platter via a geared belt that ensures absolute speed control. The sub-platter drives the platter via an arrangement of opposing magnets. This method not only eliminates slippage, but allows enough compliance to filter out any remaining vibration from the motor and belt, while applying a fully symmetric driving force.

Bearings are another problem for a turntable designer, one that Tim de Paravicini has solved by the use of Swiss-made, precision angular contact bearings, which are as quiet as the more common point-contact types, but wear much more slowly, so that their performance after years of use will be as good as on initial purchase.

All common tonearms can be mounted and adjusted with ease. The Disc Master is also available with a special EAR version of the Helius Omega tonearm. The Omega arm is as radical a rethinking of tonearm design as the Disc Master is a reconsideration of turntable design, and the two work superbly together.