Ariston RD 11

The Ariston RD11 is a classic British belt-drive turntable introduced in the early 1970s, designed by Hamish Robertson and manufactured by Castle Precision Engineering. It is widely regarded as the precursor and close relative of the famous Linn Sondek LP12, sharing many design elements and parts.

Key Technical Features

• Drive System:
  Belt drive powered by a specially designed 24-pole AC synchronous motor.
  The motor delivers high torque and smooth operation, minimizing wow and flutter.
  Features a slip-clutch mechanism on the belt drive to prevent belt stretching and ensure smooth speed buildup.

• Speeds:
  Supports 33⅓ and 45 rpm playback speeds.
  Small front-mounted trim pots allow fine speed adjustment.

• Platter:
  Heavyweight, two-piece die-cast platter weighing approximately 3.2 kg (7 lbs).
  Designed to provide high rotational inertia for speed stability.

• Main Bearing:
  Precision ground, mirror-finished main shaft resting on a perfectly spherical ball-bearing, offering a single point of contact to minimize friction.
  Teflon cushioned main bearing shaft in later RD11S models for ultra-low friction and self-lubrication.

• Suspension:
  Three-point sprung subchassis suspension system isolating the platter and tonearm from external vibrations.
  Silicone isolation subframe in RD11S variant for enhanced vibration damping.

• Tonearm Compatibility:
  Available with SME, Grace, or blank armboards, allowing use of high-quality tonearms such as the SME 3009.
  The armboard on the RD11 is round, differing slightly from the LP12.

• Wow and Flutter:
  Approximately 0.06% for the original RD11, improved to 0.03% on the RD11S.

• Rumble:
  Around -78 dB, indicating very low noise floor.

• Weight:
  Approximately 13 kg (28.6 lbs).

• Chassis and Base:
  Typically features a teak plinth with a plexiglass dust cover and friction hinges.