Germany is full of mechanical experts, and not just in the automotive sector. Transrotor, a turntable manufacturer based in Bergisch Gladbach not far from Cologne, is one of the most famous representatives of such know-how applied to vinyl. Unlike the Transrotor Max (see No. 699), a modular turntable with parts turned from polished aluminium, the Zet1, a solid turntable with peripheral belt drive, uses acrylic material chosen for its neutral and aesthetic qualities. The 25mm thick acrylic base rests on bulky polished aluminium legs, as does the heavy platter mounted on a wide column housing a large diameter spindle for smooth rotation, with a natural torque associated with the moving mass - the turntable weighs a total of 24kg.

Following the end of Jelco's arm production, Jochen Räke, designer and father of the Transrotor, chose Rega and the RB880 arm, which is as simple as it is powerful thanks to its conical anti-resonant tube and its phono cable without intermediate connectors. The motor is placed directly on the base, and the speed can be changed by changing the pulley. The Zet1 can be upgraded by adding a second motor, another arm, a TMD bearing, an external Konstant1 power supply, or an additional chassis to transform it into a Zet3...

Listening
The package we had for testing included a Merlo MC cell made for Transrotor by Goldring. A low impedance cell with a Micro Ridge tip that mimics the shape of an engraving chisel. With so much rotating mass, the Zet1 appears to be a hyperstable turntable, totally free of background noise. The sense of fullness and depth is exacerbated, as are the microdynamics and resolution. The record rests on an acrylic platter cover and the turntable comes with a heavy puck, so the record is truly one with the platter.

When the Litany of Transformation (extract A) is played, the narrator's voice acquires a goosebump-inducing presence.

Compared to other belt-driven decks, the Zet 1 seems much more rigorous, 'a-romantic', favouring a form of truth rather than an arrangement with a watered-down vision of the music. Zet1 does not seek to please, it explores the groove by giving voice to the work of recording and engraving. With the Korppoo Trio performing Sibelius (extract C), everything unfolds as if we were in the studio in the middle of a recording session, and then "it's on or off", we hear everything, in short, we are at the heart of the musicians' work. The Zet 1 is a clockwork precision turntable, and one can imagine that the addition of an even more powerful cartridge would put it in the top league - as would the possible improvements in regulation and motorisation. The Zet 1 is a turntable for enthusiasts and tuners, a kind of racing car...