audio deva designs platter-less atmo sfera aluminum turntable

audio deva designs platter-less atmo sfera aluminum turntable
all images courtesy of audio deva

to bring vinyl turntables to match a new generation of household devices, audio deva introduced the ‘atmo sfera’. shaped by italian designer paolo caviglia, the space saving frame uses a reduced light-weight platter and a very small, low-torque motor leaving the record to move freely, which reduces the energy that causes buzzes, white noises and muddiness.

the carbon fiber balanced tone arm reads the vinyl without the need for outboard gear such as a phono pre-amp. the base is CNC machined from anti-corodal aluminum which weighs only 2.8 kilograms. the prototype ‘atmos sfera’ has been put through a long set of detailed tests to ensure each component was designed and made of the highest quality.

desigboom spoke to audio deva’s designer paolo caviglia about his audio equipment experience, the issues of vibration reduction and why his design prevents bending. 

designboom: first would you tell us about your team at audio deva and your technical skills and work achievements.

paolo caviglia (PC): I’m a seasoned electronic designer with a graduation in electronics and communications and a degree in sciences and have been working for about 32 years in the industrial automation field (before) and now in the field of EMC assessment and test. my university curriculum and my past experience with some industrial firms (agricultural engineering and harbor cranes) gave me also a background knowledge in mechanics. I’m a seasoned audiophile, also; the first hi-fi turntable I bought in 1972 was the historical AR turntable, really a masterpiece in hi-fi history. now, I’m listening to the vinyl recorded music (no CD allowed in my premises) with a sort of hi-fi gizmo, that occupies about a quarter of a cubic meter of room space and is -obviously- platterless.

DB: would you please tell us more behind the design philosophy of the ‘atmos sfera’?

PC: the atmo sfera turntable is designed primarily for being a beautiful piece of design and is fully designed around a small circle (the design originator), with the diameter of an LP label. this gives it a shape directly related to its function. the result of such design harmony is a fascinating mixture of old and new that cannot leave anyone indifferent. the “music” in itself doesn’t exist in nature, it is a fully sensorial experience, like recognizing a beautiful shape with the eye. the only difference between enjoying music and enjoying a design masterpiece is the speed of informations that reach the brain.

DB: could you explain what the triangular footprint do to reduce vibration? 

CP: the triangular shape of the plinth was chosen because it’s simpler to manage for me at a modal analysis and because “looks great” as you said. I’m not an expert of modal analysis (my fault) so I requested the help of a finite element simulation software and – for the tests in the real world- of a three-axis accelerometer and an HP35665A dynamic signal analyzer. the aluminium is best than MFD -according to me- because has a pretty isotropic structure, with respect to MDF that is only an inconsistent agglomerate of wooden powder, glued together. the behavior of the aluminium is fully predictable, the behavior of MDF is not. the secret of seasoned engineers is to work, as much as possible, in a linear and predictable environment…

DB: considering that the record does not rest on a platter, in what way does your design prevent bending of some lighter vinyl records under the weight of the tonearm?

CP: the working weight of the cartridge is 2 gram, so even a light commercial record cannot be bend by the weight of the cartridge itself, when the record clamp is applied. you must not fear any damage to your (warped) record or to your cartridge from a bending of the stylus within the limits of the elastic suspension of the cartridge. an average 300 mm diameter platter doesn’t guarantee at all that the needle will not bend when tracking warped record.

designer paolo caviglia with the ‘atmo sfera’

the audio deva ‘atmo sfera’ is currently on kickstarter to help with manufacturing costs and plans to ship by september 2016.