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REVIEWS & TECHNOLOGY
ORACLE
PLEASE NOTE: We
import Oracle turntables to order, with custom specs, finishes, armboards and
upgrades to suit the customer. Turnaround time is usually 2-4 weeks depending
on factory stock and what options or upgrades you are interested in.
About the
Since 1979, Oracle
Audio has been producing state-of-the-art stereo components. Oracle's first
turntable, the AC model, introduced new features and technologies to the analog
world. Oracle's Delphi MkI was introduced in 1980. The new Delphi MkVI is the
sixth edition of the
Using the finest components
and design technologies, the Oracle Delphi MkVI is exquisite in all aspects.
Like its predecessors the Delphi MkVI is supported by three suspension pillars
to efficiently control unwanted vibrations. It harbors a massive belt-driven
platter that uses a center clamp system first introduced by Oracle back in
1979. The
The Delphi MkVI was
launched in late 2009 featuring our new and innovative Micro Vibration
Stabilizer System which took its performance level to new heights! Today,
summer 2015, we are introducing the Delphi MkVI Second Generation. This latest
edition features a two-piece platter assembly which greatly facilitates drive belt
installation while also reducing platter resonances. Our drive electronics
module was also modified and now harbors a larger power reserve which provides
more torque to the motor. Although it is offered as an option, our recently
revised Turbo Power Supply MkII exceeds all our expectations! It has a signal
that is so stable it outperformed our references! We consider the Turbo Power
Supply MkII as a fundamental part of the Delphi MkVI Second Generation.
The new Delphi MkVI
Second Generation provides a higher dynamic contrast than ever largely due to
its improved transient response resulting in a remarkable ability to preserve
the harmonic structure of the music. Driven by our new Turbo Power Supply MkII
the Delphi MkVI Second Generation will transform your listening sessions into
unforgettable lifelike experiences!
Design &
Technology
The global concept
of the new Oracle Delphi MkVI, now in its 35th year, was developed around the
control of micro vibrations and micro calibration. The micro vibration can be
introduced from the inside as well as from the outside. We have to understand
that the micro movement of the phono cartridge’s stylus is extremely vulnerable
when capturing the minute deviations from the record groove. At the same time
this stylus is extremely powerful because it sends through the system a
vibrational energy that can and will stimulate other vulnerable components.
This will also translate into resonances.
How can it happen?
Resonances
generated by the tonearm bearings and the tonearm tube will go back all the way
to the stylus and induce a coloration that is in no way related to the music
being reproduced. Tonearm bearings play an extremely important role in the
quality and integrity of the signal reproduction. Any micro movement within the
tonearm bearings will also translate into a mechanical cancellation (two
objects moving simultaneously in opposite directions). This means that the
stylus will not capture all the micro signals engraved on the vinyl recording.
When we think about the vibrational energy generated from the outside of the
record player it is extremely difficult to identify all the sources that can
affect the system but it is possible to regroup most of them into 3 categories:
electrical, mechanical and acoustical. I will not address the electrical aspect
here. For the other two categories the best option would be to completely
isolate the player from the sound room in order to protect it against the sound
pressure level. As for vibration, the use of an extremely massive platform
would help keeping the unwanted mechanical energy outside of the picture. This
would not be realistic and certainly not aesthetically successful! The magnetic
isolation can be a solution but at the same time it can be a significant part
of the problem.
What changes have
been made to the drive modules?
The Delphi MkVI is
a work of technical development and design aesthetics. As far as the aluminum
drive module is concerned we made a cosmetic change to reach the visual balance
of the new MkVI. The major change on the circuit with respect to the MkV series
was to go from a circuit in fully discrete components to a surface mount
configuration. The MkVI Second Generation version was modified to increase the
current supply to the motor resulting in a motor torque increase of about
15%. Although minor this upgrade has a significant impact on the sonic
performance of the Delphi MkVI Second Generation. We use a low voltage,
precise synchronous AC motor on the Delphi MkVI Second Generation.
What is the
influence of the bigger sub-chassis on the performance of the MkVI?
The floating
sub-chassis of the Delphi MkVI was made larger than its predecessors. By using
a larger sub-chassis we have improved the weight distribution simplifying the
suspension calibration. The purpose of the counter-weight is to add more
mass to the front left suspension tower to more efficiently counter-balance the
mass of the tonearm. The coupling of the counter-weight to the floating
sub-chassis also contributes in reducing internal sub-chassis resonances.
Its positioning, well in sight on the inferior part of the sub-chassis, is a
design detail meant to bring the
How does the MkVI
bearing system differs from the MkV?
The MkVI bearing
system maintained the 6 point contact configuration that was developed for the
MkV. We are now using a different material for the 6 calibration set screws.
The main advantage of the MkVI bearing lies in the fact that the 6 new
precision set screws are virtually inert to temperature change. This allows us
to calibrate the main bearing system with greater accuracy and closer
tolerances. This has a huge and direct impact on the signal reproduction
quality of the Delphi MkVI. The MkVI bottom trust plate has been replaced with
a polyamide-imide (PAI) high strength plastic with the highest strength and
stiffness of any thermoplastic. It has outstanding resistance to wear. The
impact of this new trust plate is extremely significant on the sound quality
because of its ability to limit the noise generated by the spinning platter.
The sonic benefits of the new MkVI bearing system are extremely significant and
they are drastically revealed especially when in combination with the
micro-vibration stabilizer system (MVSS).
How significant is
the Micro Vibration Stabilizer System?
The Micro Vibration
Stabilizer System is the single most significant and most efficient improvement
made to the Oracle turntable since its creation 35 years ago! The MVSS system
represents the final barrier to the elimination of the micro vibrations. This
system will virtually eliminate the access of micro vibrations to the most
critical part of the turntable, the sub-chassis, tonearm, phono cartridge and
platter assembly.
What is the purpose
of the MVSS?
The purpose of the
MVSS is to capture and dissipate the micro vibrations that are present within
the floating sub-chassis without short circuiting the efficiency of the Oracle
suspension system. By eliminating the micro vibrations the stylus / platter
interaction becomes more accurate, the stylus becomes more stable and better
controlled. This increased stability allows the phono cartridge to retrieve
more information from the record groove which translates into a more accurate
signal reproduction which will not only impact the lower register but the whole
spectrum. This global improvement will be very noticeable at all levels:
improved musical accuracy, harmonic integrity, transient's sharpness, dynamic
contrast, tonal balance, depth of image. The listener suddenly becomes more
musically involved and this is a very unique experience!
How does the MVSS
system control work?
Beside each
suspension tower a small reservoir is secured to the acrylic base of the
It is then possible
to play your Oracle without the MVSS in operation. Then experiment with
the calibration of the plungers by turning them clockwise when viewing them
from above the turntable as reference. Each full turn will generate a plunger
displacement of 1,27mm (0,050”). The same calibration should be done for each
plunger. Since we are dealing with micro vibrations it is extremely important
to lock the plunger in position with the locking ring. Moving the plungers by
one turn increments will reveal how they influence the performance. At the
factory the best results were achieved between 1½ and 2 full rotations of the
plungers. This represents a plunger penetration from 1.90mm à 2.54mm 2,80mm
into the silicone fluid. We also believe that the ambient temperature has
little influence on the depth calibration of the plungers. The type of support
furniture or the nature of the flooring may require some fine tuning of the
calibration. The MVSS calibration is done by listening to music so it is in
fact a matter of finding the sweet spot where we get the best equilibrium.
What about the new
Delrin adjustable feet?
In our quest to
further increase the performance level of the new MkVI we did not hesitate to
challenge each of the systems we had in place on the Oracle Delphi. Extensive
testing and listening test convinced us that the use of Delrin was extremely
beneficial to the performance of the turntable. We found the new MkVI Delrin
adjustable feet to provide a better sonic balance with all the different
equipment racks it has been tested. This new system further improves the
natural tones of the instrument and voices. In fact, it is the whole musical
spectrum that is gaining from this new system!
Has the power
supply been changed at all?
The basic version
of the Delphi MkVI comes with a simple and efficient power supply. The
Turbo Power Supply MkII is optional but highly recommended as it brings a
substantial improvement to the performance level of the