Air Force zero

Since 2012 a project was going on at TechDAS to bring our dream of the absolute ultimate reference turntable to reality. The goal of the project was to develop a truly groundbreaking product, building on our expertise and knowledge and incorporating new ideas and insights. To achieve this goal, the project had to be cost-no-object. And it had to have whatever technologies would be best suited for sonic performance, no matter how much it would cost.

Hideaki Nishikawa

The major features of the Air Force Zero Motor are:

• High precision rotation with virtually zero wobble due to the combination of high precision metal bearing and air bearing.

• Enormous inertia generated by flywheel effect.

• Extremely high S/N ratio achieved by the air bearing.

• New electronic driving circuitry designed for stable and precise rotation with low vibration.

During a steady state rotation, the driving amplifiers perform smooth rotation without the servo. The servo will be engaged only during the startup process or if the speed is changed by an external force. These technologies results in an exceptional level of rotational precision for a belt-drive turntable. 

The Platter Base (35 kg, extra super duralumin) serves as a hub for the air suspension system. This Platter Base has four massive blocks composing the air suspension system mounted on it, and where two tonearms can be fitted.

The Platters are designed for the highest level of vibration absorption by combining different alloys. For example, the top layer is made of titanium with surface hardening treatment applied to produce hardness equivalent to hard metal alloy. More importantly, these five layers of platters are held as one with air suction similar to vacuum LP hold-down. This solution allows to us to avoid metal fittings which could induce mechanical stress.

The five platters float to the height of 10µm and rotate in absolute silence as one unit. To make this possible, the Platter Base surface is precision machined with a tolerance of less than Sµm at its circumference.

The AF Zero has an Air Suspension System consisting of four blocks providing insulation and absorbing low frequency vibrations at the four corners. This air suspension module is uniquely developed by TechDAS and air is supplied from an electric pump to the air suspension modules.