»Bardo« Turntable
After many years of research and development, Helmut Brinkmann constructed the magnetic direct drive turntable Oasis. Since this project was so well received by music lovers all over the world, the company decided to release a second model that features the same magnetic direct drive system, though visually more inspired by the design of the company's top-of-the-line models. The BARDO features the magnetic motor drive and platter, an acrylic platter mat, the same spindle and bearing as found in the company's Balance and comes with an outboard power supply. The tonearm base of the BARDO can be rotated and secured without play to allow a simple and precise adjustment for all tonearms between 9 and 10.5 inches. Brinkmann will drill the base to accept the tonearm of the customer's choice. The output sockets found on the back of the turntable can be equipped with either RCA or XLR sockets, and it is also possible to install tonearms with DIN connectors or fixed cables. The BARDO can spin at either 33.3 or 45 rpm as there is an LED indicator, with fine adjustment of speed being ± 10 percent. Wow and flutter is a low 0.07 percent and rumble (noise) is -64 dB. Dimensions are 16.5 x 12.6 x 4(WxDxH in inches) and the entire unit weights in at 32.6 lbs not including the supplied polished granite base.
Can be delivered with single ended (RCA or balanced (XLR) outputs.
The aluminum sub-platter carries the steel bearing shaft, the ring magnets and the tachometer for measuring speed. The bearing housing is made of machined aluminum. The bearing shaft rotates on a smooth and super durable Teflon bearing cup.
The analogue, electronic speed controller sits underneath the sub-platter, which also holds all four coils. The entire assembly is machined from a single aluminium block. Brinkmann use an analogue speed controller because a digital speed controller generates RFI and EMI and Brinkmann feel that these would corrupt the minute & sensitive signal from the cartridge, especially moving coil cartridges whose ouput is measured in a fraction of a milli-volt.
Fine adjustment of the speed can be easily be accomplished, using a stroboscope disc (60 Hz in N.America), the adjustment potentiometers are the two holes to the left of the play toggle switch. Insert a small flat headed screwdriver to adjust.
Bardo's outboard power supply.
Bardo seen here with the optional Glass & Stainless Steel record mat, 10.5 tonearm & EMT Ti cartridge - a stunning turntable system.
Crystal glass made in Germany by a telescope lens manufacturer - precise, flat glass is used as the platter to record interface. While a precision fit stainless steel insert is 1mm lower than the glass to allow for the greater thickness in the center of the record due to the record label.
This is a noticable sonic improvement over the standard acrylic record mat and a delight to use as it is easy to keep clean, does not attract static and looks terrific.
The Crystal & Stainless Steel record mat option includes the Brinkmann screw down record clamp. Although the Brinkmann record clamp can also be bought seperately. The collet in the background is to raise the center of the record (inner ring of the record label), while the record clamp pushes down the outer ring of the record label, flattening the record and providing the ideal record surface to cartridge interface.
We believe that the way the record clamp flattens records is more effective than a vacuum hold down because many times the vacuum system sucks dust into the grooves unless they are immaculately clean. Because it is a simple mechanical device, there are no mechanical issues to deal with such as the pump, hoses or seals leaking. The object of the exercise is to flatten the record, to provide a level playing field for the tonearm & cartridge. The simpler the better !
EXCERPTS from the FIRST ENGLISH REVIEW
written by David Price in the July issue of HiFi World (UK):
"Moving to Steely Dan's 'Rickie Don't Lose That Number' and the Bardo provided what's best described as a mastertape-like rendition. It's a cliché in a hi-fi magazine I admit, but it summed up the Brinkmann in a nutshell. Tight, taut incisive and super-detailed, yet at the same time authoritative and effortless.
There is still just as much low end as say, an SME Model 10, but its sounds far better articulated. Across the midband, the Bardo has a neutrality that you can't help but love; there's little of the creamy warmth of your average belt drive superdeck, but neither is there the chill of classic high end Technics designs, for example, and absolutely no sense of a clangy, chromium plated upper mid. Rather, it's akin to a gently sunny summer's day where nothing blinds you but all's still there in sharp relief. This fine balance is topped off by a sparkling treble that's in no way as sharp as any of the last generation of Japanese direct drives, but still has their vivid presence. A fine balance, to be sure.
Feed this turntable with some classic electro and it's breathtaking. Heaven 17's 'Fascist Groove Thang', with all its complex sequenced synthetic sounds and high energy percussion was rendered with blistering speed and insight, the Bardo setting up a very large and precise soundstage inside which everything was explicitly located. Glenn Gregory's voice was carried with startling immediacy, the recording sounding incredibly fresh despite its age and the humble studio recording the track was laid down in.
....it is a great conveyor of dynamics, making many rival belt drive decks sound positively disinterested in what they are supposed to be playing.
...it is lovely to use, silent, uncomplaining, non-wobbly and small in size, it's a turntable for those who believe a deck should be heard and no seen.
Finally, sonically it is almost unique. Delivering a big, powerful, effortless punch into your system, you'll be shocked at the level of detail and insight it's got, and the eerie 'spaces between the notes' that you simply don't hear with belts. Fantastic dynamics, a shimmering high treble and bucketloads of air and space complete a prime package.
For me, this is an important new entrant to the high end turntable market; superbly and subtly engineered, it deserves to succeed."
VERDICT ***** (5 out of 5)
With startling clarity and dizzying speed, this is an exceptional performer at the price and thus an essential audition.
ATTRIBUTES & TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Drive: Platter driven directly by magnetic field; soft proportional control
Power supply: External power supply in solid state technology
Bearing: Lubricated precision (hydrodynamic) journal bearing, quiet
and maintenance-free
Platter: Resonance-optimized special aluminium alloy; surface-black
acrylic platter mat
Chassis: 15 mm Duralumin with resonance-optimized geometry
Arm board: Movable (rotating) without play for simple and precise
tonearm adjustment, with quick release. Accepts all tonearms between 9
and 10.5” as well as several linear tracking tonearms
Connectors: RCA, XLR or feed-through for tonearms with 5-pin DIN
connectors; DIN connector (3 pin) for umbilical cord of external power
supply; 2 mm connector for ground wire
RPM: 33 1/3 and 45, selectable by a switch; LED indicator for speed
(33 1/3 = green, 45 = red), Deviation from nominal speed: 0.0%
(adjustable), Fine adjustment of speed: ± 10% with trim pot
Wow & Flutter: 0.07% linear, 0.035% weighted DIN 45507
Speed-up time: 12 / 16 seconds (33 1/3 / 45 rpm)
Wow & Flutter: 0.07% linear, 0.035% weighted DIN 45507
Speed-up time: 12 / 16 seconds (33 1/3 / 45 rpm)
Rumble (noise): -64 dB (test record DIN 45544); -68 dB
(measuring adapter)
Dimensions: 17" (420) x 13" (320) x 4" (100 mm) {w x d x h}
Weight: Total 36 lb. (14.8 kg) (Chassis 11 lb. ( 5 kg), Platter 22 lb. (9.8 kg);
Power Supply 4½ lb. (2.0 kg)
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES:
Outboard Power Supply.
Polished Granite platform 18" x 12 x 1¼
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:
Brinkmann crystal glass & stainless steel record mat with Brinkmann screw-down record clamp. Brinkmann "Balance" solid state power supply.
Brinkmann 10.5 tonearm.
Brinkmann 9.6 tonearm.
Brinkmann EMT Ti MC cartridge.
Brinkmann Pi MC cartridge.
HRS platform & HRS record clamp.
Origin Live "Encounter Enhanced" tonearm.
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