OPUS 3 Continuo Analog Turntable

The OPUS 3 Continuo is the result of a lifetime's dedication to research and development in recording and reproducing the sound and atmosphere of natural, acoustic music and instruments. It has become widely accepted that the construction of a turntable greatly affects the reproduction quality of the HiFi system and even with the advent of CD, it is apparent that more of the original performance can be redeemed from an analogue recording. At Opus3 we have the unique combination of experience in being present at the recording venue, transfering the master tape to the disc, amplifying and reproducing it through the loudspeakers, and recreating the image in the listening room.

We know that at any split moment in a recording there is a plethora of microsounds which make up the timbre, dynamics and the three dimensional presentation of the original sound. This information not only holds the obvious differences between the sax and the clarinet, but the spirit and the life - the emotion of the artists. Unfortunately, microbyte technology has not yet managed to represent these analogue sounds, but the Continuo, coupled with it's partner the Cantus parallel tracking arm. We have created a material which is a compound of crushed marble and poly- urethane that is incredibly dense and hence almost resonace free. The size and weight of the turntable combined with it's 3-rubber/air suspension mountings decouple the unit from airbourne and floor/wall vibrations feeding back from the listening environment. The isolation is further enhanced by the mineral compound used in the platter and the special felt-like mat supporting the record. This latter item is essential to cope with the standard crosssectonal shape of the LP disc (which continually varies from hole to edge) and the tremendously high forces and vibrations injected into the disc by the stylus, in it's attempt to follow the modulations of the groove.

MODEL ABOVE IS CONTINUO REFERENCE GRANITE

Our experience has shown that the materials used in supporting a record are audibly imposed over the reproduced image. Hence we have aimed to choose a dry or dead soundstage to attain the largest contrast between it and and the tonal colour of the music. To drive the platter we are ulitizing a simple 24vac motor coupled via a rubber belt of 3 mm dia. Two grooves in the motor pulley allow for 45 and 33 1/3 RPM simply adjusted by finger tip pressure. The motor is driven by a separate mains adaptor and is suspended within the chassis by three vibration dampers. Power is controlled by a push button switch located below the chassis on the left hand side and the whole unit is finished with a very practical perspex dust cover.

The main aim of the the Opus3-Continuo is to provide the highest possible retrieval from the disc whilst using simple construction techniques and aestetic, thus maintaining a low cost to the decerning customer - we hope that you will enjoy the experience.

MODEL ABOVE IS CONTINUO REFERENCE GRANITE

For Opus3 by Peter Sheehan of Pentacone, England.

Technical data: Weight 25 kg Including Cantus tonearm (4 kgs platter alone) Dimensions (bhd) 450x460x415 with dust cover open Arm hole 30 mm dia, 210 mm from platter spindle.

Made in Sweden by RAUNA, Karlskoga.