Audio Silente Blackstone

The title is a variation of a line used in a review of the 1987 Buick GNX, one of the most astonishing cars ever created.  It was unreal for its almost unreal power and acceleration, and even more shocking appearance (all this from GM, a boring failing company, and Buick, which wasn't even supposed to produce performance cars).  Even today, the Buick Grand National GNX is a hot commodity.  Tuned versions can out-accelerate any production car, though it's not so good when you get to a corner.   Decent examples start at $50K, and go way up from there.  Luckily, you can build a clone for much less money.  

So what does the 1987 Buick GNX have to do with audio (besides blow-off valves and shredded tires)?  It's the first thing that popped into my head when first seeing Simone Lucchetti's extreme turntable made of high-density graphite, The Blackstone, by Audio Silente.  This table uses high density graphite, cast brass, and a number of techniques adapted from the TD124.  The angular shape and flat-black finish looks serious and unique, and nothing like a Thorens.  You can consider it a TD124mkiii, AKA, the Death Star Edition.  From the looks of it, this is a fully operational battle station.  Darth Vader, your turntable is ready

Simone uses a very clever armboard mounting system that uses a "T-nut", something every mill operator would be familiar with.  The T-nuts slide into a machined slot from either end of the channel that was formed with the pocked was milled to make way for the T-nut.  Once the T-nut is in place, you can torque the bolts with confidence.  The T-nuts and channel form an incredibly robust mounting system that allows for quick movement/replacement of the armboard.  

From the looks of it, I believe Simone uses mechanical linkages, rather than actuators and motors.  I haven't asked.  It certainly looks like a quality product, whether or not it is an all-mechanical system, like a TD124.