Description

CSPort LFT1M2 Air Floating Linear Tracking Turntable

The CS Port LFT1M2 Turntable is a statement-level analog playback system designed to extract the maximum performance from vinyl records. Built with extreme mass, precision engineering, and advanced air-floating technology, this turntable focuses on one core objective: eliminating unwanted vibration and mechanical interference so that the stylus can read the record groove as accurately as possible.

Records store music in extremely small physical grooves measured in microns. Even minor vibrations from the environment, motor system, or internal mechanical parts can influence how the stylus traces those grooves. The LFT1M2 addresses this challenge through a combination of heavy materials, air suspension, and a linear tracking tonearm system. The result is an exceptionally stable and quiet playback platform designed for the most demanding high-end analog systems.

Heavyweight Structure and High Rigidity

A defining characteristic of the LFT1M2 is its massive construction. The entire chassis system weighs over 100 kilograms, combining a solid granite base with a heavy brass platter and multiple precision-engineered components.

The base is made from approximately 40 kilograms of natural granite that has formed and stabilized over millions of years. Granite is widely used in precision manufacturing environments due to its rigidity and vibration-damping characteristics. In the LFT1M2, this material provides an extremely stable foundation that helps isolate the turntable from vibrations transmitted through the floor or surrounding equipment.

The granite surface is machined to an extremely high tolerance with a flatness of approximately 5 microns. This level of precision is comparable to the granite surface plates used in industrial machine tool calibration. The platter assembly floats above this surface using an air-supported structure, maintaining a small and carefully controlled gap while minimizing physical contact and vibration transfer.

High-Mass Brass Platter

The platter of the LFT1M2 measures 344 mm in diameter and weighs approximately 28 kilograms. It is machined from solid brass, a material chosen for its density and damping characteristics.

A heavy platter increases rotational inertia, which helps maintain consistent speed during playback. Once the platter reaches operating speed, the large mass naturally resists fluctuations caused by stylus drag or minor disturbances. This contributes to stable pitch and improved timing accuracy.

Air pressure supports the weight of the platter, significantly reducing the mechanical load placed on the bearing system. Only a small amount of lateral force remains on the bearing surfaces, which reduces mechanical noise and increases long-term reliability.

Record Stabilization System

To further improve playback stability, the LFT1M2 uses a heavy stainless steel record stabilizer that presses the vinyl record firmly against the platter. The contact surface of the platter is slightly tapered, allowing the record to seat securely when the stabilizer is placed on top.

This tight contact between the record and platter helps reduce resonance and vibration within the vinyl itself. When the stylus tracks the groove, unwanted vibrations are minimized, allowing the cartridge to capture the musical information more accurately.

Non-Servo Motor Drive

Many turntables rely on electronic servo control systems to constantly adjust platter speed. While effective for speed correction, these systems can introduce subtle electrical noise or modulation in the audio frequency range.

The LFT1M2 avoids this by using an open-loop drive system without servo feedback. Instead of constantly correcting the rotation speed, the turntable relies on the high rotational inertia of the heavy platter combined with a very stable motor drive system.

The motor is powered by a precision voltage generator based on a crystal oscillator. This system, known as the XFD drive system, generates a highly accurate and stable signal to drive the motor without speed correction cycles.

Because the platter is so heavy, it maintains a consistent rotational speed once it reaches operating velocity. The trade-off is a longer startup time, but the benefit is extremely quiet operation without servo noise.

Thread Drive System

Power from the motor is transferred to the platter using a thread drive system made from aramid fiber. This advanced synthetic material is known for its high strength and minimal elasticity.

Compared to traditional belts, the aramid thread transmits motor torque very effectively while minimizing the transfer of motor vibration to the platter. The material’s low stretch characteristics also ensure consistent speed transmission.

Although the thread drive system requires slightly more time for the platter to reach full speed, it offers excellent isolation and long-term stability.

Air Floating Linear Tracking Tonearm

Another key feature of the LFT1M2 is its air floating linear tracking tonearm. Traditional pivot tonearms trace an arc across the record, which introduces a small tracking angle error as the stylus moves from the outer grooves to the inner grooves.

The LFT1M2 uses a linear tracking design that moves the cartridge across the record in a straight line, following the same path used when the record was originally cut during mastering. This eliminates tracking angle error and allows the stylus to maintain the correct alignment across the entire record surface.

The tonearm is supported by an air floating mechanism. A cushion of air allows the arm assembly to glide smoothly with minimal friction. This system also helps absorb unwanted vibrations that could otherwise travel through the tonearm structure and affect the cartridge.

By isolating the stylus from external vibrations and reducing mechanical resistance, the air floating tonearm allows extremely accurate groove tracking.

Quiet and Stable Air Supply

The air required for the floating platter and tonearm is provided by a dedicated air supply unit. This system uses a reliable pump similar to those used in medical equipment to ensure stable airflow.

To maintain a quiet listening environment, the pump system is enclosed with a double-sealed structure that reduces both sound leakage and vibration. This design allows the air supply unit to operate quietly even when installed within the listening room.

The pump is powered by a 12V DC supply from the motor drive unit, providing consistent airflow and stable long-term operation.

Technical Specifications

• Model: LFT1M2
• Material
• Base: Granite
• Platter: Brass
• Motor Drive: Granite and aluminum
• Tonearm Unit: Granite and aluminum
• Air Supply: MDF
• Dimensions
• Base: 358 × 100 × 358 mm
• Platter: 344 mm diameter × 43 mm height
• Motor Drive: 130 × 126 × 358 mm
• Tonearm Unit: 130 × 100 × 358 mm
• Air Supply: 140 × 130 × 330 mm
• Weight
• Base: 40 kg
• Platter: 28 kg
• Motor Drive: 8 kg
• Tonearm Unit: 12 kg
• Air Supply: 3 kg
• Motor Control: Quartz oscillator, no-feedback XFD system
• Drive System: Thread drive using aramid fiber
• Motor: DC coreless low-noise motor
• Turntable Speeds: 33⅓ rpm, 45 rpm
• Rotation Precision: ±0.3%
• Wow: 0.2% or less
• Flutter: 0.04% or less
• Tracking Method: Air float linear tracking
• Arm Lift: Manual
• Adjustments: Azimuth, length, and leveling via screw adjustment
• Applicable Cartridge Weight: 20–40 g (including headshell)
• Applicable Stylus Pressure: 1.5–5 g
• Balance Type: Static balance
• Output Terminal: DIN 5-pin
• Power Supply
• AC 100/120/200/240 V, 50/60 Hz
• DC 12 V for air supply
• Power Consumption: 40 W

Source: https://www.csport.audio/products/lft1m2-en