The Brinkmann Spyder is a radical new turntable that sets a benchmark for versatility in modern analog gear while upholding the company’s commitment to extreme sonic performance and high-fidelity music reproduction. This daring new design from Brinkmann’s founder and chief designer, Helmut Brinkmann, accommodates up to four 9”-12” tonearms and allows maximum flexibility of placement regardless of how many ‘arms are installed.
The Spyder’s body is comprised of the main bearing/spindle assembly; a heavy collar surrounds the bearing housing with symmetrically placed drillings that allow coupling of as many as four tonearm “legs” to the Spyder’s body. These legs connect Brinkmann tonearm bases to the bearing body and act as a very Brinkmann-like minimal plinth.
The ‘arm bases can be precision-drilled for virtually any modern 9” – 12” tonearm, and are designed for precise, physically rigid quick release, making arm/cartridge alignment and switching or moving arms a “plug and play” operation.
Moving beyond its fresh design flexibility, the Spyder shares many tried-and-true construction techniques and components with Brinkmann’s direct-drive Bardo and flagship Balance turntables. It’s a belt-drive that employs the Balance’s advanced Sinus motor, and while it ships with the large solid-state power supply used in the Balance, substantial sonic improvements in every area of performance are achieved with Brinkmann’s optional RöNt II vacuum-tube power supply. The Spyder employs the Brinkmann-designed zero-maintenance hydrostatic bearing used in all Brinkmann ’tables. The constructions materials are mostly anodized aluminum for fast transmission of harmful vibrational energy. The 22-lb. alloy/crystal-glass platter ensures speed stability and wide dynamics through the most complex musical passages.
The Spyder’s versatility in tonearm quantity is a natural companion to Brinkmann Audio’s Edison phono stage, a tube-hybrid design that features the convenience of three separate phono inputs and a host of modern features to go along with its exceptionally refined sonics.
The Spyder offers the precision, wide dynamics and emotional involvement Brinkmann ‘tables are renowned for in the most versatile turntable design available today.
Spyder Attributes and Technical Specifications:
• Drive Mechanism: Belt drive using Sinus 4 -Phase, 12-Pole motor
• Power Supply: External solid-state power supply, optional RöNt II vacuum-tube power supply
• Bearing: Hydrostatic zero-maintenance bearing
• Platter: Resonance-optimized anodized aluminum alloy; crystal-glass platter mat / clamp
• Chassis: Resonance-optimized anodized aluminum alloy; flexible, mounted jigs for 1 to 4 tonearm bases, specially shaped for resonance cancelling
• Tonearm Base: Quick Release, rigid play-free base rotates for simple and precise tonearm adjustment. Accepts all tonearms between 9” and 12″ effective length, as well as several linear tracking tonearms
• Connectors: RCA, XLR or feed-through for tonearms with 5-pin DIN connectors
• Speed: 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, 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: 6-8 seconds (33 1/3 / 45 RPM)
• Rumble (Noise): -66 dB (test record DIN 45544); -70 dB (measuring adapter)
• Weight: Total 20,7 kg (Bearing w/ 1 jig and tonearm 4,9 kg, Platter 9,8 kg); Power Supply 3,2 kg; Motor 2,8 kg