Features
| Brand | Kestrel Audio |
|---|
Tech Specs
- Talk a1 uni-pivot tonearm with vta
- High gloss makassar or satin walnut wood finish
- Fitted with talk zephyr c50 cartridge
- 24v low noise, low vibration motor
- Custom made bearing with steel ball
- Acetal sub platter
- 12mm machined acrylic platter
- Clear z-type dust cover
Product Description
The Kestrel Audio KT50 is the entry-level turntable in the Kestrel range. The turntable features an arm made by TALK Electronics. The arm is the A1 uni-pivot tonearm with anti-skate and a vertical tracking adjustment. It also comes fitted with a Zephyr C50 cartridge. Two finishes are available for the wood plinth, high gloss Makassar or satin walnut. Moreover, there is a 24v low noise low vibration motor.
Acrylic platter
The quality plater of the Kestrel audio KT50 turntable is made of 12mm machined acrylic. This has a good weight to it, providing a high mass that will reduce any speed variations. There is also an acetal sub platter that has a low running resistance. The platter runs on a custom-made bearing with a steel ball. There is also a clear acrylic Z-type dust cover.
About anti-skate
Most good-quality turntables have an anti-skate device, as does the Kestrel audio KT50. This applies a small force that counteracts the tendency of the arm to move towards the centre of the record. This is especially apparent close to the label. The anti-skate device keeps the stylus in the centre of the groove and reduces record wear. It also reduces distortion and maintains channel balance so that both channels are of equal volume. The anti-skating adjustment is initially set to the same value as the tracking weight. However, distortion is most apparent near the end of the record, so listen to the last track of an LP and set the anti-skate to minimize any distortion or sibilance
About the VTA
The VTA or vertical tracking angle is the angle at which the tonearm and stylus meet the record. This is not actually 90 degrees but should be at a slight angle to the surface. The record was cut with the intention that the playback stylus would be at about 20 degrees. If the angle is wrong the level of distortion and record wear can increase. The angle can be incorrect if the cartridge has been changed. Hence the Kestrel audio KT50 has a VTA adjustment to compensate for this possibility.
The Zephyr C50 cartridge
The Kestrel audio KT50 comes with the well-respected Zephyr KT50 cartridge. This is a moving magnet type and has a spherical stylus mounted on a carbon fibre cantilever. Unusual at this price point. Moving magnet cartridges are recommended for turntables in this price range as they have the most support with amplifiers. The Kestrel audio KT50 does not have a built-in pre-amp and needs a main amplifier with a phono stage.
