FLoKaSon AM44 Mastering Lathe:
built and handcrafted with love in switzerland.
the current status as of spring 2021 , a standard AM44 looks like this:
AM44 grey cast body (long term seasoned). black wrinkle powder coating finish. fully compatible to all Neumann AM32b, VMS70 parts.
AM44 microscope arm , neumann style.
heavy grey cast dovetail neumann size linear slide with standard M18x1 high precision hardened and grinded spindle.
AM44 suspension box similar to a neumann box. smaller and internal oil damper, depth coil and weight adjustment via spring
FLoKASon TA21.a simple ortofon 50ies style heavy tonearm. no schnick-schnack. just a simple precise arm with SME mounting.
FloKAson Groove inspection Microscope 160x times adjustment. on request we can provide neumann type Leitz microscope.
14" Vacuum Direct Drive Turntable, Adjustable 8,10,12 14 Inch
StuKA Pitch18 lathe controller to get best performance
Machine Controller Rack,19 Inch,3U Rack with Pitch18, Positioning Detection, Motor Electronics, Switching, Heater Current
Analog Remote Panel
cutting amplifiers
we recommend ultracut amps. best sounding amps and temperature bridge protection. over current protection, RIAA encoder,
FB Mixer, BL4 bridged amps, monitor selector for Input, feedback and Playback, RIAA preamp
if you want to use your own power amps we recommend Minicut Preamp System
cutterhead
FLoKAson Caruso Stereo feedback movingCoil cutterhead for lathecuts, one offs and polycarbonate, vinylike blanks
FLoKAson Dialba Stereo feedback movingCoil cutterhead for professional applications
FLoKAson LaCallas Stereo feedback movingCoil cutterhead for highest performance
what you need:
heavy table. the heavier the better. we recommend granite measurement industrial table >70 kg
vacuum pump.
DAW with 4 channel equal analog outs. symmetrical.
decent metering. at least an NTP 277-400, RTW 177-400 or similar makes everything so much simpler and better
DAW software. we recommend reaper.
monitor speakers with at least volume control
lacquers, blanks and styli
in the beginning there is a strange story.
too long for now .maybe if i have more time.
but to make the long story short:
hunting for Enigma Rotors and other technical goodies this spring in various abandoned
tunnels in Salzkammergut and different Places in eastern germany around Gefell
and some extensive research based on interviews with old metal workers
ended with truckload of heavy metal:
approx. 20 pieces of raw casting machine bodies, a few of you might recognize the shape.
for the moment around 15 are still available. i guess they will go quick. i have constructed a nice bearing turntable unit
and i guess some high enders love to hear records on those.
if you want one send me a mail.
the facts so far:
they are same shape as Neumann AM32-AM66.
the main difference is material. original neumann is aluminum cast
and the ones i have laying around here are casting iron a.k.a. grauguss GG
which is much better for absorbing resonances. i will post once a video comparing the two.
also the body is around 22 kg. around 3 times the weight of the aluminum body
of an AM32
why the material is different, only speculations can be made.
the body shape designed in the 1930ies was never changed until the end of 70ies.
maybe it was the shortage of aluminum or just because of better performance.
why iron casted bodies where never used by neumann is another secret.
i will name in order to an (imaginary) neumann type number: AM44
aluminum was a rare good during the last years of WW2.
casting iron was the only available material.
all bodies are carefully sandblasted and checked,
then machined by the chef himself
on a classical 50ies Aciera F6 swiss precision milling machine
powder coated with 50ies grey hammerhit color
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progress ticker:
juli 2016
the first am44 left finally my lab and will be in operation soon.
another one is leaving next week. and a third i will install in my cutting room
there are still a few issues to deal but all major problems are solved.
also i can now define a ballpark price of approx. CHF 15000.-
including TT15 direct drive motor,simple pitch, heating unit and caruso head and amps system
feb. 2016
we received a few turntables.
still work hard on a good bearing unit and suspension box.
jan 2015-april 2014
we had the first running AM44 in London for the Christian Marclay Exhibition at white cube gallery.
it was pimped up with a lyrec motor and stock Neumann linear unit.And of course a flokason Pitch13 controller
march 2014
after a long journey the valuable freight arrived well. the full stash of raw bodies arrived.
april 2014
major turntable issue solved. we got now a very good and strong solution for the tt15 low cost turntable.
at the moment we wait for the new turntables and arms
the body will have all the original holes and threads of an AM32b/VMS70 body
except the holes for the meters and stuff.
this can be ordered on request.
but we believe that an intact body is sonically much better than one with holes like a swiss cheese.
that means: you can upgrade to any stage of Neumann lathe:
- original oil filled turntable bearing unit will fit
- original Linear unit will fit.
- original Neumann Turntable will fit
- original Neumann microscope arm will fit. we currently manufacture new ones. and they are in stock around spring 2015.
- original Neumann suspension box can be attached.
- flokason pitch13 can be upgraded
- flokason TT14 can be upgraded
- Technics SP02 will fit
i decided a concept of total modularity and upgrade to any stage is possible.
i believe there are better linear units and better turntable solutions on the market than 1933
but if someone wants the old way. its all possible.
there are also lots of spare neumann components waiting for an empty body...
so from a relatively low cost machine
to the highest end, you can get whatever you like and your budget allows.
also you can go always one step further.
i tried to figure out a way for a low cost amateur but still pro-machine
this consist of:
flokason am44 body.powder coated. with linear unit. simple arduino based pitch
flokason tt-15 heavy duty 450W motor for polycarbonate use.
i can not stop that motor by hand! at least 2-3 times more power than technics sp02
around800-900W peak and 1000 impulse rotary encoder. no quartz lock for that price.
but the best of the best you can get for polycarbonate, pvc whatever.this motor is a tractor.
vacuum suction through the bearing block. as i did on disc-o-mat.
turntable bearing unit uses same axial bearing as Neumann.
low cost but very accurate linear unit.
flokason suspension unit.
simple & functional with depth coil,spring and ball bearings.
similar to Neumann but much smaller.
caruso head, preamps.
i have only ruff prices yet. but i built a quick and dirty low cost model
which will be around 9k all inclusive.maybe i can make it even cheaper i keep you updated
you can also buy just the body. or make a reservation on that.
the unknown parts are the suspension arm, the casing and the proof of concept of the suspension unit.
i will build one within next 2-3 weeks.
so a small summary for the cheaper model:
Cutting Lathe:FloKaSon AM44 block with basic linear unit
turntable system: FloKaSon TT-15
pitch: simple arduino based fixed pitch
head: Caruso Head with Preampboards, +/-15V power supply, RC network and Fuse protection
amp: t.b.a approx 250W per channel
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