Cantano W/T - turntable and tonearm

CANTANO W

Passion for vitality.
With the new Cantano W we are opening a new chapter of perfection in construction, design, and individuality. Despite the customary method of reaching neutrality in sound by dampening noises, we are following a new path and trusting the power of innovation through the use of high class materials. Because neutrality cannot be the only goal. It is also vitality. The vitality of sound.

Slate. Wood. Stainless Steel.
The best components are just good enough. The base of the Cantano W is a slate, encased inprecious wood. Through the uniquely high stainless steel base, it is tonally decoupled from the turntable. This gives Cantano drives their characteristic appearance.

Graphite and CNC-technology.
The upper part of the turntable is made out of high-quality graphite of special density, while the lower part, constructed out of black anodized aluminum, is responsible for the belt drive.  A runout minimized to < 0.01 mm using CNC-technology is responsible for the extremely low flutter.

The bearing. 0.003 mm leeway. max.
Perfection lies in the details. The bearing of the resonance-minimized turntable axis consists of hardened steel and solid carbide. Five longitudinal lubrication grooves, equipped with a lifelong oil filling, are guaranteeing perfect lubrication. At delivery, the bearing shows an leeway of max. 0.003 mm. A sapphire ball forms the base of the bearing.

An exchangeable tonearm without intermediate bushing.
The suspension of the tonearm is designed to enable quick assembly and change at any time, despite fixed wiring and without intermediate bushing. It is possible to combine the drive with any tonearm by any manufacturer. For optimal signal transmission we use copper wiring with a silver coating for the tonearm cabling, and selected, gilded Cu-sockets.

Individually. For optical harmony.
Every Cantano W is individually configurable. In order to perfectly harmonize with its surrounding atmosphere, we offer four types of wood encasements. Additionally, it is possible to supplement it with either a magnetically-supported or inverse bearing upon request.

CANTANO T

Audio calmness. Combined with vitality and playfulness.
With the Cantano T we have created something unique. Simple timeless design meets captivating functionality, while using only high-quality materials. The result is a tonearm that combines the high audio calmness of a 12-inch tonearm with the speed, vitality and playfulness of a 9-inch tonearm. Created for a perfect sound.

Titanium. For low mass and maximum strength.
The titanium used for the tonearm and head-shell offers maximum strength with minimum weight. The unipivot-bearing base with additional lateral guide keeps the arm from swinging along the longitudinal axis. The ease of movement of the bearing and the low mass of the arm guarantee a distortion-free reading of the record, even those whose center hole is not perfectly centered.

Self-resonances at a barely measurable level.
The Cantano T is conceived as a resonance minimizing construction, utilizing a combination of perfectly matched parts through the use of CNC-technology. This leads to a tonearm whose selfresonance barely reaches a measurable level.

Functionality: Height-adjustability. Anti-skating. Compatible with almost all cartridges.
Besides our focus on optimal capabilities, we place a high value on functionality. Continuous height-adjustability, an anti-skating solution that does not influence the movability of the arm, as well as compatibility with all cartridges up to a 16g  weight are important attributes for flexible usage. By rotating the tonearm it is possible to adjust the azimuth, while mild damping is created by variable pressure on the light tracking force. The Cantano T can also be mounted on drives designed for 9-inch tonearms.

Turntable (Cantano W):
Speed: 33 and 45 rpm
Bearing: hardened steel on a sapphire ball
Platter: graphite of special density and black anodized aluminum
Base: wood-encased slate
Dimensions (W/H/D): 450/270/360mm (Base)
Weight: 29 kg = 64 lbs.

Tonearm (Cantano T): 
Compatibility: suitable for all cartridges up to 16g
Material: titanium
Mounting distance - pivot to spindle: 294mm
Overhang: 10.08mm
Effective tone arm length (including overhang): 305.8mm (12 inches)
Offset angle: 16 degrees
Effective Mass: 10g

Price:
US$ 17,990.- Turntable & Tonearm
US$ 19,990.- with Reference Motor

Wojciech Pacula of High Fidelity (September 2017) concluded:
"...Mr. Oliver von Zedlitz's turntable has a class. That's a term used once to describe unique women or men – all it took was just one look at them and it was obvious – they have a class. Others, no matter how hard they tried, simply never had IT. That's how I perceive the Cantano - the W turntable and the T tonearm. It is modest in expression, sophisticated in design, and it sounds beautifully. It does not impress so easily as other decks, i.e. it does not seduce listener after the first few minutes. One needs some experience to understand what the class of this device is about. It is about the beauty of music without imposing turntable's own character – that's exactly it..." Check out the entire review

Wolfgang Kemper of HiFi Statement wrote (January 2017):
"...the Cantano can hardly be beat when it comes to its superior sound capabilities in relation to its price. In addition, it’s a masterpiece of precision workmanship and with its appealing appearance, clearly stands out from the established, high-end turntables. The Cantano is one harmonious whole - drive and tone arm are the perfect duet.  Just wait and see what they can coax from your vinyl..."  Check out the entire review

Jason Victor Serinus - Stereophile (California Audio Show, Aug. 2013):
"Nice Nice Nice. So Warm. Nice Nice Nice. Absolutely captivating. Just great..." 

Mal Kenney - PartTimeAudiophile.com (California Audio Show, Aug. 2013):
"...every turntable maker seems to have a problem that he wants to solve, and the Cantato’s claim to fame is, apparently, its silence. Other than perfectionist bearings, that whole, wacky platform assembly is non-optional. The unipivot arm alone is a piece of industrial art..." - "...the sound here was dead steady on Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, allowing Mulligan’s sax to growl out in a way that I associate less with speakers and more with... well... a sax." - "...for my tastes, this was one of the special rooms at the show..."

Dirk Sommer of HiFi Statement wrote (May 2013):
"...the Klangwellen Manufaktur is a newcomer to the analog scene, but have already proved themselves with their first two products tonally as heavyweight contenders... not many other turntables and tonearms provide so much analog euphony as the two Cantanos - and if so, usually at a much higher price. The duo from Klangwellen Manufaktur is visually elegant, comes very well pre-calibrated, ready for operation without demanding anything from its owner at all. Nice that sonic excellence is not only available to banished analog specialists..."  Check out the entire review

Check out a video from Peter Breuninger of AV Showrooms at the HighEnd Show in Munich May 2013