Cambridge Audio TT50 Turntable Reviews Comments
"... both stylishly finished and sonically engaging, with hours of vinyl thrills guaranteed."
Hi-Fi Choice February 2008
"As a package, the Cambridge TT50 is a fine turntable that is easy to set up and start using and offers a very pleasant presentation."
Hi-Fi World February 2008
After successfully stimulating the resurgence of affordable hi-fi in recent years, Cambridge Audio has now introduced a turntable to complement its range. The new Cambridge Audio TT50 has been developed in partnership with respected turntable manufacturer Pro-Ject using some key Cambridge Audio innovations to produce outstanding vinyl reproduction at the price. The TT50 will set any record collection free.
The foundation of the Cambridge Audio TT50’s excellence is its elastomer coated acrylic platter. Developed at Cambridge Audio’s research and development headquarters, this design carefully controls resonance and provides matched acoustic impedance to the vinyl record for maximum detail retrieval. The elastomer paint also allows the platter to ‘grip’ the weighted sub platter which provides the necessary inertia to both provide rock solid timing and act against the forces at the stylus/record interface for retrieval of deep bass. As the platter has an elastomer coating there is no need for the more common felt mat and so any unnecessary influence is reduced.
Cambridge Audio’s proprietary arm and head shell are cast as one piece of precision aluminium, intrinsically reducing resonance with fewer parts involved. The fitted Audio Technica AT95E is a classic design high-specification half-inch mount moving magnet cartridge chosen by Cambridge Audio after extended auditioning as it offers a synergistic clear, dynamic and richly balanced sound.
The Cambridge Audio TT50 benefits from a magnetic anti-skating bias adjustment which applies a non-contact force to the arm counteracting the natural force applied by the record as the stylus is forced towards the centre of the spiraling groove. Anti-skate also ensures that the average pressure on both sides of the stylus is equal ensuring best stereo separation and tracking ability.
The one speed motor is optimized for both 33 and 45rpm respectively by moving the belt between two pulleys. The motor is isolated to float freely, minimizing vibration as well as producing a more coherent sound.
High quality gold phono/RCA connections are used in the TT50 for the best possible signal transfer and to allow choice of interconnect, without the usual compromised captive arm lead.
The Cambridge Audio TT50’s chassis is made from MDF with a high gloss finish applied and affords control of noise and resonance, something which is further underpinned by the simple but effective acoustic isolation feet. The TT50 is designed to work with Cambridge Audio’s existing range of products including amplifiers and well regarded phono stages such as theCambridge Audio Azur 640Pbut of course other phono stages and cartridges can be used and the manual gives full details on cartridge replacement, alignment and set-up and includes a protractor to make this process relatively simple. All this gives a firm basis for outstanding playback from a treasured but perhaps underused LP collection!
Cambridge Audio TT50 turntable features
- Proprietary arm with non-contact magnetic anti-skate
- Elastomer coated acrylic platter gives an acoustic impedance matched to the record for maximum detail retrieval coupled to extremely low resonance
- Mass loaded sub-platter provides both speed stability and inertia for tracing ability and deep bass retrieval
- Classic Audio Technica AT95E Moving Magnet cartridge
- Head shell and arm cast as one
- Isolated motor floats freely minimizing vibration
- Adjustable drive pulley for 33rpm and 45rpm
- High quality gold-plated phono/RCA connections allow choice of interconnect cable
- Isolation feet reduce susceptibility to vibration
- Ground wire and power supply provided
- Supplied with Perspex lid
- Fully factory set up and ready to use from the box
Cambridge Audio TT50 turntable specifications
- Nominal speeds: 33 1/3 or 45 rpm
- Speed variance: +/- 0.8%
- Wow and flutter: +/- 0.12%
- Signal to Noise Ratio: <-65db
- Downforce range: 1.0 to 3.0g (10 – 30mN)
- Cartridge: Audio Technica AT95E Moving Magnet
- Platter: Balanced weighted acrylic with rubberised paint covering
- Connections: Gold plated RCA stereo outputs and ground connection
- Anti-skate mechanism: Magnetic, non-contact
- Outboard power supply: 16V AC 500mA
- Max. Power Consumption: 2 Watts
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 415 x 118 x 320mm lid open
- 415 x 365 x 405mm lid closed
- Weight: 5.57kg/12lbs
Cambridge Audio History
Cambridge Audio has been at the forefront of British hi-fi for more than thirty five years. Since its inception in 1968, Cambridge Audio has brought some of the most innovative and technologically advanced products to market.
During the ‘70s, the P40, P50 and P110 amplifiers established the international reputation of the Cambridge Audio brand. The ‘80s saw Cambridge Audio launch the world’s first two-box CD player. In the ‘90s, the DacMagic was the first product in the company’s history to win an esteemed What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Best Buy award. An all new and highly improved DacMagic is being released shortly. The new Millennium saw Cambridge Audio continue to innovate with its award winning DAB digital tuners and of course the highly-acclaimed Azur range and most recently most famous for it's now legendary award-winning 840c upsampling CD player.
Cambridge Audio has a philosophy of using only the finest quality components, all models are developed using state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment and feature the latest technology. This commitment to engineering excellence, combined with state of the art manufacturing facilities, means every Cambridge Audio product offers the best possible performance. Prior to launch, all designs undergo rigorous evaluation involving meticulous listening and fine tuning.
But the main reason for Cambridge Audio's success... is their people. Cambridge Audio employs nearly 80 colleagues, the majority at their London headquarters, including over 20 engineers in a dedicated research and development facility. Every member of Cambridges' team shares the same passion for hi-fi and home cinema as you – our customers. That’s why the Cambridge Audio team always go the extra mile to make sure that they only produce products their proud enough to take home – and trust us we all do!
