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The Aurora record player is not only a superb looking deck but it has a performance to match. As a slimmed down version of Origin Live’s top of the range deck - the Resolution it represents an intense pursuit of the ultimate performance available today. Most experts agree that the vinyl record remains the world’s most satisfying medium for the reproduction of music. It reigns supreme in terms of performance and quality. To advance this quality further, Origin Live have brought together many long established principles of high end record player design with recent innovations.

High grade parts are employed to enhance it’s exceptional performance. The Aurora maintains it’s value in comparison with other record players, even when fitted with inexpensive tone arms and cartridges. This makes investing that little bit extra in the record player, result in a considerable overall saving.

The strengths of the Aurora lie in it’s superb transparency, coupled with tangible sound staging and imaging. The record player is very neutral and will suit most systems exceptionally well. You can expect this record player to give you many years of listening pleasure.

Design profile for high performance

Before exploring the design philosophy of the Aurora, it is worth clarifying the performance objectives. These may be simply stated as follows:-

* The record player must rotate the record at 33 or 45 rpm constant speed - free from vibration.

* It must also support the tone arm in a position relative to the platter that is fixed with respect to vibration.

Vibration control is absolutely critical for performance. The Aurora overcomes many of the complex problems arising from unwanted vibration in the following areas.

1. It reduces resonance within components. Resonance is caused primarily by the shock waves generated from the interaction of stylus on record.
2. It reduces vibrational "noise" created by the motor.
3. It excludes environmental vibration. This includes anything from loudspeaker feedback (groundbourne and airborne) to underground pumps and road traffic outside.

Each of these areas has it’s own set of problems and solutions. They are listed above in their order of priority. Theories of energy management and vibrational control within turntables vary considerably. A basic understanding of these theories is useful to understanding the secret of the superb performance exhibited by the Origin Live record player.

Theory of Energy Management

In principle a record player is one of the simplest items of hi-fi equipment. However from a technical point of view, understanding the principles governing performance is much more involved than first meets the eye.

The priority of source signal purity

Controlling vibration is the key to record player design due to the nature of the "stylus needle" mechanism. It is hard to appreciate that the movements of the stylus as it tracks the record groove are extremely small. As the stylus moves, it acts within the signal generator of the cartridge and this signal is duly transmitted to the amplifier. Much has been written about the amazingly tortuous job that a stylus carries out. The stylus undergoes forces measured in tons / sq. inch and vinyl melts momentarily as the record rotates

The stylus vibrations are so small that they must be amplified thousands of times to produce an output at the speakers. Of course this means that the slightest source of unwanted vibration is also amplified thousands of times as well. It is the elimination of this unwanted vibration that results in the huge differences that exist between mediocre record players and star performers.

Vibration is a highly complex area. For simplicity the following parameters are most relevant from an audio point of view:-

1. Speed of energy transmission
2. Speed of energy absorption - Storage of vibrational energy (Resonance) Vs vibration absorption (damping).
3. Resonant frequency of the material (how does behave within the audio band?).

Design of Aurora record player components

From the above facts, it follows that the tiniest details all contribute to affect the entire sonic character of a record player. Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail and design option on the Aurora record player. The key variables researched are listed below: -
a) Types of material used at each point in the structure.
b) Choice of which materials to interface together.
c) Dimensioning of materials
d) Shape and form of components: solid, hollow, plate, flanged, tube etc.
e) Method of attachment - bolting, gluing, welding, screwing etc.
f) Decoupling methods - springs, spikes, elastic bands, rubber, foam, air cushion etc.
g) Motor positioning and method of mounting.

These critical areas and many others, have all been tested extremely thoroughly and result in the outstanding performance of the Aurora.

Hear for yourself

This web page provides some explanation on the design principles behind the performance of the Aurora record player. In this record player you will discover over ten years of intensive experience and exhaustive testing. These have been distilled into a high end product that appears deceptively simple and yet one that will yield astounding results. Why not discover for yourself the untapped potential of the world’s highest performing medium for the reproduction of music.

Features and specifications

Superb styling & looks
The record player is sculpted in stylish curved profiles that will look at home in most surroundings. There is a choice of black or satin silver finish.

High grade parts
Profiled acrylic platter.
Platter is de-coupled by an inert sub-platter
Low tolerance and low friction bearing
High-grade military specification Arctic oil is used in the bearing.
The record player sub-chassis is very rigid and exhibits low resonance due to it's unique, centre point support arrangement.
The motor is an ironless DC design with no "cogging" effect.

Record player power supply
The regulated power supply of this motor is load compensating as well as being stable across a wide range of temperatures. Speed control is easily electronically switched between 33rpm and 45 rpm (78rpm is also available on request). Setting up - There is nothing to go "out of tune" on the Aurora record player. The record player is a sprung suspended design but the centre spring loading means that the deck is simple to set up and fuss free. VTA arm adjustment is provided for the Rega and Origin Live arms, which makes setting the arm height much easier.