Challenger Mk2

The Challenger turntable weighs in at 23kg, to offer you our statement entry level high mass turntable. With this Challenger design, we bring together one of the most sophisticated external drive and power supply drive systems, with a massive high mass 50mm thick platter, supported by a solid 40mm thick chassis. The Challenger is incredibly simple to set up, very versatile and sonically its performance is outstanding, making many other brand turntables costing up to three times the price sound poor in comparison. The Challenger design offers a remarkable and consistent performance at a highly competitive price, and has real visual appeal. 

•A 50mm solid turntable platter made of aluminium. The platter is made of a very soft alloy to optimize its periodic resonance, and is coated on the rear side with resonance-reducing material. • The bearing is the heart of every turntable. Through fundamental research and development, we have invented a bearing with the ideal performance characteristics of exact fit, extremely low noise, very low friction and long term stability.

•The bearing is the heart of every turntable. Through fundamental research and development, we have invented a bearing with the ideal performance characteristics of exact fit, extremely low noise, very low friction and long term stability. The platter bearing component is manufactured from special hardened and polished steel, with an extremely hard tungsten carbide ball at its base. The bearing housing uses perfectly matched and ‘aged’ sinter bronze inserts which are self-lubricating; and therefore maintenance free. At the base of the bearing, we use our specially developed ‘high-tech’ material TIDORFOLON. Our bearing runs dry - without oil.

•The external drive motor of the turntable is run by its own electronic controller, called the smallAlpha. Like his big brother the Alpha it converts the AC mains voltage to DC current and a precision oscillator then produces a perfect sine wave at 12VAC to run the motor, resulting in a perfectly steady and constant platter rotation. The smallAlpha is impervious to the negative effects of mains voltage fluctuations and household appliances that produce ‘noisy’ mains that can have a very great detrimental effect on AC motors and therefore the turntable performance and ultimately the sound. The smallAlpha control is the perfect design solution and but can supply one motor only.

•The tone arm mounting plates are adjustable. The mounting of any desired tone arm is possible, with a maximum of 3 tone arm mounting plates on one turntable

• Three adjustable feet for simple macro and micro adjustments to level the turntable. 

• The high mass platter (with its inertia) is an integral part of the turntable concept. Very low bearing friction, perfect motor drive control and large platter inertia guarantee perfect synchronization and the best sound. Highest precision manufacturing in Germany guarantees reliability of this turntable. To make sure that every Calypso is exactly the same we produce nearly every part on high precision computer controlled machines. 

REVIEWS

STEREOPLAY-Germany

At the first view the Acoustic-Signature Challenger you think about "ultra solid". This stands also for the sound not only the look. He offers a ultradeep fundament and it is clearly focused. His extraordinary sound, the excellent craftmansship make it an real Stereoplay Highlight

HiFi World Great Britain 10/2006

"...with the kind of impact you usually associated with 6000EUR US superdecks

not 2500 EUR designs. ...as this deck had the best timing of the group, propelling the music along with incredible energy and drive.

It proved fast, with excellent resolving capabilities, had outstanding transient attack and a huge dynamic range. This was tempered with superb control, sonically it offered virtuallyno overhang, and could go from a subtle wisher to room shaking volume and back again with ease.

The Challenger is is set to make a lot of people reconsider their expectations of a deck at this price point and offer simply phenomenal value for the money".