Turntable Details
Drive
Belt
Motor
Wow & Flutter %
Rumble [dB]
Speed
Dimensions [mm]
Platter Material
Platter Diameter [mm]
Total Weight [kg]
Tonearm
Year Built
Platter Weight [kg]
Plinth Material
Price
Additional information
Drive System
Belt-drive system utilizing an external rotor, 600 RPM hysteresis synchronous motor with a precision ground Kapton film belt. This setup ensures precise speed regulation and minimizes mechanical noise.
Speed options: 33⅓ and 45 RPM, with a focus on maintaining constant speed accuracy.
Platter and Bearing
Constrained-layer damped acrylic/stainless steel composite platter with a vacuum record hold-down system. This design helps eliminate warping and ensures flat record playback.
The base model features a hydrodynamic fluid film main spindle bearing, which can be upgraded to an air bearing spindle for improved performance.
Tonearm Compatibility
The Capella can be equipped with Rockport's Series 6000 or Series 7000 linear tracking, air-bearing tonearms. These arms are known for their high precision and zero-friction operation, ensuring optimal tracking accuracy.
The tonearm tube is a constrained-layer damped carbon fiber sandwich composite, providing stiffness while minimizing moving mass.
Chassis and Isolation
The plinth is a constrained-layer composite of acrylic and aluminum, designed to provide excellent rigidity and vibration damping.
The turntable can be upgraded with a tabletop active pneumatic suspension for enhanced isolation from external vibrations.
Performance Metrics
Wow and flutter: Virtually nonexistent due to the advanced drive and bearing system.
Speed stability: High precision, ensuring consistent playback quality.
Design Philosophy
The Capella represents Rockport Technologies' commitment to precision engineering and high-quality materials, aiming to deliver exceptional sound quality by minimizing mechanical noise and ensuring constant speed.
Each unit is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting Rockport's reputation for excellence in audio engineering.
Context and Legacy
Introduced in the mid-1990s, the Capella was a significant model in Rockport's lineup, offering a balance of performance and affordability compared to their flagship models like the Sirius.
It is praised for its build quality and the ability to be upgraded with advanced features such as air-bearing technology.