tw-acustic Raven GT2 Turntable
January 31, 2024Advance Paris X-i1100 Amplifier
February 1, 2024Raven LS
Belt Drive Turntable
The Raven LS model was created in response to many customer requests, as a large Raven drive with compact dimensions was missing and was introduced in 2020. In order for the model to be smaller than the Raven AC 2 or even the Raven Black Night, the complex engine control and the motor were housed inside the solid frame milled out of a single piece of aluminum. The device is operated via spring-loaded metal buttons on the front of the drive. The platter rests on the proven bearing design, which is also used in the larger models. With the 28-kilogram aluminum frame, a solid basis for the Raven LS has been created. It stands on four stainless steel feet, which are sensitively height-adjustable. The plate is similar to the Raven AC 2 with its sandwich construction. It consists of an upper part made of solid copper and a lower part made of a special version of the plastic POM. The plate weighs 12 kilograms and rests on a bearing bush made of phosphor bronze.
This construction has already proven itself over decades and is considered indestructible. There are various holes on the tonearm base, which are designed for ten of the common tonearm geometries and allow precise adjustments in seconds. By twisting the tonearm base, other lengths can also be fitted. If you decide to replace the tonearm, you can easily change the aluminum inlet of the tonearm base and do not need a new tonearm base. However, the Raven LS also offers space for four tonearm bases, so the owner does not have to commit to an arm-system combination. But that’s not all. The Raven LS wouldn’t be a “new” Raven if TW Acustic hadn’t thought even further. Based on the experience with the large drive models, two additionalwheels for motor and turntable are offered.
A model like the Raven Black Night benefits enormously from the 3-motor drive, in which a microcontroller gives the DC motors a precise power stroke. However, this solution, properly executed, takes up a lot of space. The Raven LS uses the solid frame and allows the docking of an additional motor module with two motors at the rear. The external motor unit, like the base, is milled out of a solid block of aluminum. Only a hexagon socket wrench is required for the upgrade, the installation is done in a few minutes. The effect is clearly audible, although probably not measurable in practice. The upgrade to the “large” turntable, which can be retrofitted at a later date, has a clear added value in terms of sound. This is then similar to the plate of the flagship Raven Black Night, weighs a discreet 23 kilograms and has a solid copper plate several centimeters thick. If you order this solution at the same time as you buy it, you can save a little. Even without the updates, the Raven LS is a turntable that hardly lacks anything. A direct, stable, dynamic sound image without overdrawing or discoloring. At the same time, it is open and spacious with a beautiful stage. The “large” turntable increases the stability of the sound even more, and the additional motor module further optimizes the whole thing in this direction.
Technical
Weight:
Chassis 30 kg
Platter: 10 kg
Motor unit: 3 kg
Motor control unit: 2 kg
Dimensions:
450 mm x 400 mm (W x D)
Motor diameter: 119 mm
Total footprint: 600 mm x 400 mm (W x D)
Chassis construction:
Material: 60 mm TW ACUSTIC’s proprietary Delrin-based compound, stainless disk rigidly screwed to chassis.
Feet:
Four, delrin and ball, height adjustable
Platter construction:
Material: 10 mm copper in combination with 60 mm of our special compound let into and screwed together.
Bearing:
Bronze bearing, 16 mm hard metal shaft with ball on top, running on a thrust washer of ‘Material S ® (green)’. This is a special low-pressure PE based material with a very low coefficient of friction and very high wear resistance, giving a long maintenance free life without the need for additional lubrication. Bushing is machined exactly to fit the bearing with zero float, yet remains replaceable.
Motor:
Case made from stainless steel and delrin.
Motor control unit:
controlled by a microcontroller, ready for 3 motor drive
Armboard:
Up to four tonearms may be fitted