NOTE: some accessory products below available - while supply lasts
NO Compromise, NO Comparison & NO Competition
If you're THINKING about a hi-end LP player, think SAturn tables for the FOLLOWING REASONS
A plinth and platter made from pure vinyl polymer. What could be more inert than vinyl? Nothing! Not even acrylic.
And vinyl polymer is nearly indestructible, it won't scratch or dent like metal.
Our SAturn tables offer you the capability to install one, two or three tonearms. Upgrade at your convenience..
24 SS 3/4" dia. balls (austenitic, non-magnetic) imbedded in the platter's perimeter extending the moment of inertia (ME2),
Exclusive tuned [Tri-Orb] suspension system with "ground path" vibration releases (ME2).
A unique sub-chassis assembly incorporating 3/4" solid stainless steel rods (ME2).
Ultra-damped 10 lb. metal sub-platter with double bronze bearings.
Diamond ground stainless steel spindle shaft (Rockwell C 65) supported by a ceramic ball.
Quick and easy 3-point micrometer head table leveling with locks and built-in bubble level (ME2).
Your choice of Variable Frequency Drive (AC) or Variable Voltage Drive (DC).
Outboard motor selection, either AC synchronous or DC servo.
Custom armboards available for any tonearm.
Unconditional 30-Day return policy and Lifetime materials and workmanship warranty
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS & FEATURES: Midnight Express LP Players
To see demo room installation, click on ME2 picture at right.
Finally! VSE's modular system allows
you to select the components and assemble the LP player you want. You can
easily install your own existing tonearm(s), install any other tonearm on
the market, or use our Ruby Rod tonearm times one, two or three. Plinths,
platters and armboards are not cast. They are precision cut and machine milled
from solid blocks of pure virgin vinyl polymer. Platters are precision milled
(not turned) to provide zero tolerance. 10 lb. metal sub-platters are diamond
ground, then cooled. This process is repeated until the tolerances are not
measurable on our instruments, accurate to 50/millionths of an inch (pictured
at right). VSE guarantees the performance of all products with an
Unconditional 30-Day return policy and a Lifetime materials
and workmanship warranty.
The Midnight Express 2 SAturn table offers a unique, super-solid sub-chassis (pictured below). Using solid 3/4" diameter stainless steel rods, locked directly to the spindle housing and penetrating directly through the three solid gray iron vertical cylinders (2" diameter), the Midnight Express 2 (ME2) is structurally rock-solid without all the heavy mass that can over-damp and kill the music. The ME2 then incorporates the revolutionary Tri-Orb tuned suspension system, with lateral/horizontal stabilizers, offering a taught yet fluid suspension platform in both axis. You receive the full advantages of the renowned Tri-Orb's balanced suspension system that is so famous throughout the civilized world.
When all is said and done, "the proof is in the pudding." The perfectionist hi-end audiophile has been waiting for a [true] modular, vinyl spinning platform his entire life, as yet unavailable [at any price] until now. His [your] waiting is finally over. You now have a choice of tonearms, armboards, suspension systems, platters, sub-chassis, motor pods and motor speed controllers. You don't have to take what the manufacturers "throw" at you any more. And VSE has a myriad of LP Player accessories from precision digital [photo-sensor] rpm tachometers, to $10 strobe discs, to 3-way silver switch boxes, to economical tonearm spacer sets, to inexpensive audio step-up transformers for your low-output phono cartridges.
Differences between the ME1 and ME2 SAturn tables: The ME1 has the same ultra-precision plinth, 10 lb. sub-platter and bearing system as the ME2, so quality of rotation is the same. The ME1's platter does not include the 24 stainless steel (austenitic, non-magnetic) 3/4" diameter balls precision set into the platter's outer circumference to increase your moment of inertia. The ME1 has micro-leveling via the three threaded knobs shown above, which can be upgraded to micrometer heads (like the ME2) in the future, if you desire. The ME1's three support columns are solid 2" diameter gray iron rods (same material as the Tri-Orb's Coulomb cones), which offer excellent vibration damping. These columns can be micro-adjusted [vertically] using large-diameter, threaded knobs and locking knobs, pictured above. The bottom of the gray iron rods are floating on 1/2" thick x 2" diameter Neoprene open-cell support pads that provide more than adequate isolation/suspension, even for big foot himself. Some assembly required. Orbital not included.
For your convenience, the following discounted A/B/C packages save dollars compared to individual pricing:
Item ME1, Midnight Express 1: Basic ME1 SAturn table only. No motor drive, no variable speed drive controller, no armboard, no tonearm. If you already have a variable speed drive, all you need to do is wrap your drive belt around the ME1's sub-platter and adjust the speed on your existing drive controller. Note that you may also have to adjust height of your existing motor drive unit. What's pictured above is what you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME1, Price: $1895 MSRP, $995 DISCONTINUED
Item ME1A,
Midnight Express 1: Basic ME1 SAturn table with
AC synchronous motor drive. Includes item
MPAC
Motor Pod. Motor pod includes two-speed mechanical pulley to provide
33 and 45rpm platter rotation speeds. Just plug the motor pod into a 120vac
wall recepticle (AC line cord and drive belt included). No variable speed
drive controller, no armboard, no tonearm. If you already have a tonearm
(or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your ME1, just
purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s). Note that some
tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly to the ME1's
plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility installing your
existing tonearm(s). What's pictured at right is what
you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME1A, Price: $2744 MSRP, $1449 DISCONTINUED
Item
ME1B, Midnight Express 1:
Basic ME1 SAturn table with AC synchronous motor
drive and AC variable speed frequency controller.
Includes item
MPAC
Motor Pod and item
VFD
Variable Frequency Drive. No armboard or tonearm. If you already
have a tonearm (or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your
ME1, just purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s).
Note that some tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly
to the ME1's plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility
installing your existing tonearm(s). What's pictured
at right is what you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME1B, Price: $3739 MSRP, $1895 DISCONTINUED
Item
ME1C, Midnight Express 1:
Basic ME1 SAturn table with DC Servo motor drive
and DC variable speed voltage controller. Includes item
MPDC
Motor Pod and item
VVD
Variable Voltage Drive. No armboard or tonearm. If you already
have a tonearm (or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your
ME1, just purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s).
Note that some tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly
to the ME1's plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility
installing your existing tonearm(s). Note the MPDC
Motor Pod can NOT be used without the VVD.
What's pictured at right is what you receive for the
quoted price.
Item #ME1C, Price: $3285 MSRP, $1595 DISCONTINUED
Differences between the ME1 and ME2 SAturn tables: The Midnight Express 2 SAturn table has all the special bells and whistles that the ultra hi-end audiophile requires. The ME2 is a fully loaded turntable with [Tri-Orb] tuned suspension, stainless steel sub-chassis (pictured below), micrometer head leveling, bubble level (pictured above) and 24 stainless steel (austenitic, non-magnetic) 3/4" diameter balls precision set into the platter's outer circumference to increase your moment of inertia. Assembly required. Orbital not included.
For your convenience, the following discounted A/B/C packages save dollars compared to individual pricing:
Item ME2, Midnight Express 2: Basic ME2 SAturn table only. No motor drive, no variable speed drive controller, no armboard, no tonearm. If you already have a tonearm (or three) and variable speed drive, then all you need to do is mount your existing tonearm(s) and wrap your drive belt around the ME2's sub-platter and adjust the speed on your existing drive controller. Note that you may also have to adjust height of your existing motor drive unit. What's pictured above is what you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME2, Price: $3850 MSRP, $1995 DISCONTINUED
Item ME2A,
Midnight Express 2: Basic ME2 SAturn table with
AC synchronous motor drive. Includes item
MPAC
Motor Pod. Motor pod includes two-speed mechanical pulley to provide
33 and 45rpm platter rotation speeds. Just plug the motor pod into a 120vac
wall recepticle (AC line cord and drive belt included). No variable speed
drive controller, no armboard, no tonearm. If you already have a tonearm
(or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your ME2, just
purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s). Note that some
tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly to the ME2's
plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility installing your
existing tonearm(s). What's pictured at right is what
you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME2A, Price: $4699 MSRP, $2449 DISCONTINUED
Item
ME2B, Midnight Express 2:
Basic ME2 SAturn table with AC synchronous motor
drive and AC variable speed frequency controller.
Includes item
MPAC
Motor Pod and item
VFD
Variable Frequency Drive. No armboard or tonearm. If you already
have a tonearm (or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your
ME2, just purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s).
Note that some tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly
to the ME2's plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility
installing your existing tonearm(s). What's pictured
at right is what you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME2B, Price: $5694 MSRP, $2895 DISCONTINUED
Item
ME2C, Midnight Express 2:
Basic ME2 SAturn table with DC Servo motor drive
and DC variable speed voltage controller. Includes item
MPDC
Motor Pod and item
VVD
Variable Voltage Drive. No armboard or tonearm. If you already
have a tonearm (or three), or want to use someone else's tonearm on your
ME2, just purchase our armboard and install your existing tonearm(s).
Note that some tonearms don't need our armboards. They can be mounted directly
to the ME2's plinth, but using an armboard will give you more flexibility
installing your existing tonearm(s). What's pictured
at right is what you receive for the quoted price.
Item #ME2C, Price: $5240 MSRP, $2595 DISCONTINUED
SAturn table drive motor pods come in two distinct types, although both look identical, except for the item number stamped on the bottom. The MPAC Motor Pod incorporates a 300rpm AC synchronous motor with no gear reduction. The precision pulley and belt are driven directly from the motor's armature, which eliminates any gear noise. This Motor Pod is a stand-alone unit that can be used directly out-of-the box using the included basic adapter unit because all AC synchronous motors derive their speed from the 120vac line frequency of 60 cycles. To operate the motor directly, without the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD, offered below), you will need to move the belt to the lower pulley on the motor's double pulley to change from 33rpm to 45rpm. You can also change speeds on-the-fly with a touch of the finger on the belt. If you would rather flip a switch, to change from 33 to 45rpm, you may purchase the Variable Frequency Drive below. This will also provide you with the ability to accurately dial-in any rpm from 10 to 100, if you need to spin some 16s or 78s, etc.
NOTE: Although others would like you to believe that this line frequency is not constant, this misconception could not be further from the truth. Clocks are set by this ultra-stable nationwide power grid. If this grid is reliable enough to provide accurate time, then it is more than adequate to spin your platter at exactly the rpm required. The only reason I can think that anyone would insinuate that the national grid's frequency is not accurate is because they are trying to sell an ignorant consumer something they don't need. If you want cleaner power, just install a good line conditioner like our Klystron Holographic Reactor. You don't need to reinvent the national grid's constant 60Hz from DC. FYI, in my younger days, I was involved in nuclear power production and distribution (R&D) at the (now declassified) Nuclear Reactors Group located at Ft. Belvoir, VA for almost 10 years, so I do know a little about the subject. Our top-secret group designed, built and operated portable nuclear power plants (10Mw) on tractor-trailers and ships. This special service provided reliable power to support military base camp deployment anywhere in the world. - PVS
The MPDC Motor Pod is also a 300rpm DC servo motor that must be used in conjunction with the Variable Voltage Drive (VVD) offered below. VSE offers the DC servo Motor Pod and VVD simply because it is less expensive, not less accurate. In fact, it is the least expensive way to obtain accurate dial-in, electronic speed control (again from 10 to 100rpm), with the flip of a switch, that I know. You must have the Variable Voltage Drive (VVD below) to operate this DC Motor Pod.
Both motor pod housings are machined from a solid 4.5" diameter cylinder (1.25" wall thickness) of 6061 aluminum stock. Bases are weighted with a solid gray iron block inserted into the base. The three Neoprene padded feet are height adjustable. All motor pod housings are fully shielded and use shielded wiring between units. Separate grounding posts (not shown) are located on the outside of all housings. Each motor includes a precision ground O-ring belt to drive the platter.
Variable drives are also offered in two distinct varieties, and both look identical, except for the item number stamped on the bottom. The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) incorporates a complex variable frequency generator to drive AC synchronous motors (only). Basically, we take the 120vac, fixed frequency (60Hz) line power and convert it to a pure DC signal by rectification. This DC signal is then converted back to AC by using various timing chips and step-up transformers to create a variable frequency AC output. AC synchronous motors derive their speed from frequency; therefore, by varying this frequency from about 40Hz to 80Hz, you vary the speed of the motor's armature from about 10 to 100rpm, and you do it very accurately. Again, you do not need to use this VFD with your AC motor pod (MPAC) above. This device is optional.
The Variable Voltage Drive (VVD) incorporates accurate variable voltage ICs to provide pure DC power to a DC servo motor. It is similar in electronic operation and function to the less expensive turntables from Stanton, Technics, Dual, etc. but with a build quality equal to the best variable frequency drives on the market. This is an inexpensive way to achieve variable dial-in, flip-of-the-switch speed control. The accuracy and stability is equivalent to the VFD, except you might need to tweak the speed adjustment a little more often like the turntables mentioned above.. In other words, you would never notice/hear the difference between the two units. You must have this unit to use the DC motor pod (MPDC) above.
Both the VFD and VVD have a two position switch (with a center off) that can be set (via coarse individual adjustments) to any speed from 10 to 100rpm. Example: you can set one speed for 33rpm and one for 45rpm, or one for 33rpm and one for 78rpm, etc. Then each speed can be micro-tuned with a large precision 10-turn knob (pot) with built-in locking mechanism (shown center in picture at right). All VFD and VVD housings are thick-wall cast aluminum, fully shielded and use shielded wiring between units. Separate grounding posts (not shown) are located on the outside of all housings.
Item VFD, Variable Frequency Drive for AC synchronous motors: $995 MSRP, $495 DISCONTINUED
Item VVD, Variable Voltage Drive for DC servo motors: $695 MSRP, $349 DISCONTINUED
Armboards are not absolutely necessary with SAturn tables. You can mount any tonearm (up to 9") directly, without an armboard, if you want (there are some exceptions, such as tone arms with a large diameter mounting plate). If your tonearm has enough VTA (vertical tracking angle) adjustment to accommodate a higher than normal, elevated platter, you can use spacers, offered below, to extend your tonearm's height to acheive proper VTA. An armboard is a convenience that simply makes mounting your tonearm much, much easier. Note that any tonearm longer than the 9" standard requires an armboard to achieve the proper overhang. Standard armboards (ARMS) will accommodate most conventional tonearms like Rega, SME, VPI, etc. Some special tonearms, like VSE's [uni-pivot] Ruby Rod, require a custom armboard (ARMC) to mount on the SAturn table because of their slightly taller profile, but the musical rewards are worth the small cost difference.
Item ARMS, Standard armboard: $249 MSRP, $149 DISCONTINUED
Item ARMC, Custom armboard: $349 MSRP, $195 DISCONTINUED
To see DEMO room installation, click on above SAturn table
The Super Silver Switch Box (SSSB) is a near necessity when you have more than one tonearm on your turntable. It allows you to instantaneously select between tonearm/cartridge with the flip of a 3-way switch. This switching action can be accomplished at the cartridge-side (low output) of your phono stage or at the line-side (high output). And there is no degradation of the signal because all switch contacts are silver plated and the 8 RCA connectors (2 output & 6 input) on the back of the SSSB are gold plated. All internal solder connection are made using WBT Silver Solder (twice the silver content of standard silver solder). Aluminum box, shielded with grounding post.
Three tonearms are great to demo/compare your favorite music as no two cartridges are created equal (see, "Why would you want more than one tonearm?" below). A good example would be one for rock/jazz/blues (small band), one for classical (big band) and one for the human voice. With our SSSB, you'll be able to instantly A/B/C your system with the same record, on the same cut, at nearly the same instant of time, with the flip of a switch. Comparative analysis doesn't get any better than that!
Item SSSB, Super Silver Switch Box: $299 MSRP, $179 DISCONTINUED
The Universal Spacer Ring Set (20) is used to incrementally adjust the height (VTA) of a tonearm. The spacers can be used with any tonearm that has up to a 1" diameter mounting column. Example: this ring set works great with Rega tonearms that have a 0.9" diameter threaded mounting column. All pieces are fully machined and precision ground to exact tolerances. This 20 piece assortment consists of one each of the following sizes (all spacers are hardened steel, unless otherwise noted): 0.5" (alum), 0.125, 0.093, 0.062, 0.047, 0.031, 0.025, 0.020, 0.015, 0.012, 0.010, 0.008, 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.004, 0.003, 0.002, 0.0015, 0.001". All 20 spacers stacked together provide a height adjustment of 1-inch.
Item RING, 20 pc. Spacer Ring Set: $49 MSRP, $24 DISCONTINUED
SPECIFICATIONS: Digital Tachometer
Display: 5 digits, 10mm (0.4") Liquid Crystal Display with function annunciation
Test Range: 2.5 to 99,999rpm
Resolution: 0.1rpm (2.5 to 999.9rpm), 1rpm (over 1000rpm)
Accuracy: 0.01% (under 100rpm), 0.05% (over 100rpm)
Sampling time: 1 second
Detecting Distance: 50 to 350mm (2 to 14 inches) depending on ambient light
Size: 190x72x37mm (7.5x2.8x1.5")
Weight: 300g (0.65lb) including batteries
This economical Photo Tachometer rivals units selling for 5 times as much. Just apply the (included) sticky backed reflective tape strip to the edge of your platter, point the tachometer at the platter, and press the button. This high resolution tachometer uses a sophisticated micro-computer LSI-circuit and crystal time base, and has auto-zero adjust. The last value, max. value and min. value are automatically stored in digital memory and can be displayed by simply pushing the red memory button below the LCD readout. Uses 4 AA batteries, not included.
Item DPST, Digital Photo-Sensor Tachometer: $249 MSRP, $129 DIRECT from VSE
This inexpensive VSE Strobe Disc is printed on 110 lb. card stock and the center hole is pre-punched to the standard spindle diameter of 9/32nd of an inch. The strobe lines are created when a 60 cycle light source is applied to the disc. The darker the natural light in the room, the better the lines will appear under artificial (60Hz) light.You can use an incandescent light source (any standard light bulb that derives its power from a 120vac receptical) during the day or, at night, natural room light from a lamp, etc. is usually sufficient to reveal the strobe lines without any additional direct light applied to the disc. Disc only, does not include incandescent light source.
This economical quality Dial Level/Angle Finder (not made in China) is perfect for leveling your precision turntable or other audio/Video components and racks. The weighted pendulum, large dial design is much more accurate than any omni-directional bubble level, including ours. This is because parallax can cause reading errors. You simply can't position your eye exactly, exactly over the bubble, so [human] level errors do occur. One degree increments offer precise leveling. Built-in magnetic base. Can be used in the horizontal or vertical position. And it's really priced right, too!
Item DLAF, Dial Level/Angle Finder: $20 MSRP, $10 DIRECT from VSE
Why would you want more than one tonearm? Because no cartridge, no matter how good, will represent all types of music to compliment any one specific type of music. Some cartridges sound better playing rock, some sound better playing jazz, or classical, or blues, or bar room, etc., etc. And then there is also the difference between instrumental and the human voice. A cartridge that says it's good for all types of music, actually doesn't do justice to any type of music.
I've learned this simple secret after many decades of experience and experimentation, before [and after] the record industry and studio zealots ripped the heart out of our analog music (LPs), providing us with convenient digital crap (CDs)! Music appreciation should not be convenient, lest we lose the essence of that intrinsic appreciation. In other words, you don't appreciate the music when you're racing down the road in your car. Sit down, relax and listen to the music, until it becomes all encompassing. That's music appreciation! Analog begets analog, and music will always be analog, and be appreciated by analog beings like you and me. This will reign true until you and I become Borg (cyborg). Then digital will beget digital and all will be, once again, well with the musical world. Yes, I'm a video/sci-fi fan too - Hi-Definition rules! - PVS
Three tonearms are usually the correct number to play most of your music to near-perfection. An example would be, one for rock/jazz/blues (small band), one for classical (big band) and one for voice. You can even split the human voice into two categories, male and female, but then you would need at least two Midnight Express SAturn tables. No need to get too carried away, is there? I can't recommend any cartridge specifically for any type of music because that is your personal perception of the music itself, but you will have a lot of fun choosing which cartridges sound best to you. With our Super Silver Switch Box (item #SSSB), you'll be able to instantly A/B/C your system with the same record on the same cut at nearly the same instant of time, with the flip of a switch. Comparative analysis doesn't get any better than that!
As many of you may already know, the revolutionary Tri-Orb balanced isolation and damping platforms are beyond any other platform on Planet Earth, by a factor of at least 10. This isn't VSE "tooting their own horn." These testimonials come directly from our loyal customers (see "Unsolicited User Comments" link).
The ME2 tuned suspension is identical in function and application to the lower flotation mechanism on the Tri-Orb Lite standard-grade isolation and damping platforms (see "Tri-Orb" link , top-of-page right, for more info). The ME2's 2" diameter gray iron column is slung vertically, via 3 Neoprene O-rings, providing total flotation and isolation in the vertical axis. Lateral, or horizontal [swing] motion is contained with a second, larger horizontal O-ring that captures the gray iron column uniformly at three contact points around its circumference (see picture at right).
The 1/4" diameter, cone tipped [ground and hardened] rod, pictured at left protruding from the gray iron column's center, is our exclusive [gravity activated] vertical Coulomb rod. This rod moves axially and literally floats under the ME2, making minimal point contact with the ground, creating a one-way vibration release path to ground.
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