AFI FLAT.DUO
Record Flattener / Relaxer
AFI (Audio Fidelity
Improvement) and HiFi-Studio Wittmann present the FLAT.DUO, a
groundbreaking innovation in the world of record care. As the second
product in our range of record flattener/relaxers, the FLAT.DUO
combines state-of-the-art technology with efficient design. Through
the revolutionary use of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) for the
housing construction, we achieve a level of energy efficiency
previously thought impossible and at the same time reduce the
ecological footprint.
DUO stands for two records and two treatment methods
The name "DUO" in the FLAT.DUO stands for its duality in function
and efficiency: the simultaneous treatment of two records and two
types of treatment - flattening and relaxing. On the one hand, this
saves a considerable amount of time and, on the other, improves the
sound quality.
Flattening with reduced treatment time
The FLAT.DUO's integrated fan enables two records to be smoothed
simultaneously in just 1.75 hours - a significant time saving
compared to the four-hour treatment time of conventional models. The
fan can be regulated in three stages or can be deactivated.
Heating-press module
The innovative heat-press module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener
enables two records to be flattened at the same time by stacking
them in a piggyback or sandwich process. The sophisticated design of
this module ensures even heat distribution and pressure, which is
crucial for optimum results in the flattening process.
Torque knurled handle
The torque knurled handle plays a crucial role in the heat-press
module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener. It ensures that the
individual components of the module and the records are held
together securely and pressed with exactly the right pressure. This
is essential for the uniformity and high quality of the flattening
process.
EPP - a material revolutionizes the industry
Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a material that is ideal for use in
record flatteners/relaxers and marks a revolutionary step in
equipment design. The EPP we use consists of 92% air and 8%
polypropylene. Its high heat resistance and excellent thermal
insulation make the material ideal for use in temperature-controlled
processes.
Passive tempering/relaxing with EPP
For the first time, the use of EPP as an enclosure material makes
passive tempering of vinyl records possible. The slower and more
evenly the temperature drops at the end of the process, the better
the tempering process and thus the sound improvement. Thanks to the
excellent insulating properties of EPP, simply switching off the
heating voltage is enough to achieve a perfect, ideally decreasing
temperature curve. There is no need for reheating to extend the
cooling phase.
Improved energy efficiency thanks to EPP
The FLAT.DUO only requires a connected load of 30 watts compared to
90 watts for the previous flat.2 model.
Complex housing design with EPP
EPP makes it possible to create complex enclosure designs that would
otherwise be difficult to manufacture thanks to mold-based
production. The durability of EPP leads to an extended product life.
Ecological and sustainable
EPP is environmentally friendly and recyclable, which means that the
FLAT.DUO leaves only a small ecological footprint. Its use in the
FLAT.DUO is an example of responsible innovation.
Made in Germany
With the FLAT.DUO, developed, designed and manufactured in Germany,
we are continuing our tradition of innovation. Through continuous
improvement and the incorporation of customer feedback, we combine
proven technologies with new, innovative and smart solutions.
Audio Fidelity Improvement & HiFi-Studio Wittmann, the
discoverers of the sound improvement of vinyl records by means of
thermal relaxation, also known as tempering.
The record flattener
The idea and the technical know-how for the record flattener came
from Dr. Ullrich Kathe - a passionate hi-fi fan, analog lover and
long-time customer of HiFi Studio Wittmann. One day, Ulli Kathe
brought his vision of a record flattener into the studio, motivated
by the knowledge that wavy records directly influence the essential
settings of a high-quality pickup, such as the horizontal alignment
of the turntable, tracking force, VTA, azimuth and anti-skating.
Depending on the shaft position, the needle dips to different
depths, which changes the previously carefully set parameters during
scanning. Oliver Wittmann, the owner of the studio, was immediately
enthusiastic about the idea. He offered to take care of marketing
and sales as well as the sonic evaluation of the flattening
processes. That was the start of the joint project: 'The record
flattener', Made in Germany.
The development
During the two years of development, we experimented, tinkered and
ironed with passion. Countless test records were put through
processes with different temperatures and varying warm-up, holding
and cooling times. Oliver Wittmann regularly checked the sound of
the ironing results on his reference system. It was of central
importance not only to achieve a perfectly flat record, but also to
ensure that the sound quality remained undiminished. It was during
this research process that the decisive "aha" moment occurred: "Wait
a minute, that sounds better than before!" This is how the
innovative idea of tempering vinyl records was born. Another year of
development work was devoted to determining the optimum temperature
curves and holding times. The goal: to achieve the best possible
tempering of vinyl records and thus maximum sound improvement.
The start in 2016
In 2016, the time had finally come: the world's first record
flattener, the AFI flat, with a special tempering/relaxation program
to improve the sound of vinyl records was launched on the market.
What is tempering?
Tempering, a form of heat treatment, has been used in the industry
for a long time. The basic principles of tempering were already
known in ancient times, particularly in the processing of metals.
However, the systematic application of these techniques in modern
industry only began with the industrial revolution in the late 18th
and early 19th centuries. For example, the tempering of steel was a
decisive step in the production of high-quality tools and
components. The industrial application of tempering to materials
such as glass and plastics started in the 20th century, aided by
improved chemical and physical knowledge and new manufacturing
methods.
Why should you temper a record?
Records are pressed at around 150 degrees Celsius, with the pressing
process taking around 30 seconds. After a short cooling phase,
during which the matrices are cooled with water, the record is
removed and stacked on a spindle, weighted down with metal plates,
for further cooling. Due to the uneven and rapid cooling - much
faster on the outside than on the inside - and the toughness of the
material, the long molecular chains of PVC and polyvinyl acetate
have little chance of aligning themselves in a relaxed manner. This
production method leads to material stresses that are "frozen" in
the material and are audible.
What happens during tempering?
During tempering, the vinyl record is slowly and evenly heated up to
plateau temperature, held at this temperature for a while and then
cooled down very slowly and in a controlled manner - a process that
can take up to four hours. Slow and even cooling is more important
than heating. This allows the molecules to align themselves
naturally and without stress. This process significantly reduces
tension, making the material harder, more robust and more
homogeneous. |
