Origin Live Swift Turntable Unveiled
Origin Live's Swift turntable has finally broken cover, and we have the details.
The Swift turntable from Origin Live has gone official with the release of these images. Among the Mk5 upgrades announced at the Bristol Hi-Fi show, we were told that a new turntable would enter the range - and it is finally here.
As well as the redesigned motor/power supply, the Origin Live Mk5 line features the new, upgraded Multi-Layer Platter (MLP). This trickle-down tech from the British company's flagship Voyager turntable is now incorporated as standard on all turntables above the Aurora. Origin Live states, "The Swift is essentially an Aurora turntable with a Multi-Layer Platter". The MLP is included as standard because "it sounds too good to simply be an optional extra, " says founder Mark Baker.
Mark adds:
We not only wanted to make things a bit clearer but also to give the consumer the best sound they can get, and the MLP has been a game changer on our products for years.
Adding the MLP as standard has increased the Calypso and Resolution turntables cost. To keep the range as accessible as possible, the new Swift slots between the Aurora and the Calypso.
The Swift features the basic design of the Aurora turntable, with its single-point cantilevered suspension. In this system, the platter and tonearm are balanced roughly in equilibrium on the ends of a rigid sub-chassis bar. Due to the microscopic flexing of the single suspension support point, this arrangement feels the same as a rigid, mechanical suspension. However, Origin Live claims this avoids the hardness in many non-suspended designs and the softening of leading edges often found in suspended designs.
The Swift also features OL's low friction bearing, which the company report now consistently takes at least 3 times longer to come to a stop from free spinning than almost anything else on the market. In addition, we're told that low friction in the bearing allows the cartridge stylus to track the vinyl grooves with less interference from system resonance, resulting in a silent background and vastly improved dynamics and separation.
This, of course, works in concert with the Mk5 Multi-Layer Platter. This design features an intricate top with over 1000 individual slots laser cut through the top layer, combined with another composite layer underneath and carefully screwed onto the acrylic platter. The MLP layers work to diffuse surface resonance in the platter through vibrational interference.
The Origin Live Swift Mk5 Turntable is available now and priced at £2,290. The accompanying Zephyr Mk4 Tonearm pictured is £1,080.
Visit Origin Live for more information
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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