ES-1 Photo with Merrill Platter and Grace 707 Arm
ES-1 (Connoisseur Series)
1984-198?
Though the ES-1 and the AR the Turntable look alike there are many differences:
- AR the Turntable was all walnut veneer. The ES-1 has solid wood sides and came in cherry and walnut
- The ES-1 had a sapphire bearing. The ES-1 platter has a concave tip that fits over a loose ball bearing
- The ES-1 was always equipped with a Hurst motor. The AR the Turntable, in early versions, did not have the Hurst.
- As mentioned below, the ES-1 could be purchased without an arm, so was much more likely to have a different arm than the AR the TT.
Specifications:
Belt Drive
24 Pole Synchronous Motor, 3 watt Hurst Motor
3.9lb/1.8kg Platter
* 1.5 watt Philips Airpax Motor for Early
33 1/3 and 45 RPM
0.04% Wow and Flutter, -78dB Rumble
Cherry or Walnut Finish
18.19″ W x 7″ H x 15.25″ D with Dust Cover Down
With Arm $500 (1988)
Without Arm $375 (1988)
The stock AR arm was an OEM Japanese product that looked very similar to the Sumiko but wasn’t quite as good. They changed a little through the years too but this was the published specs.
Effective Length – 9″ (229 mm)
Overhang – 19/32″(15 mm)
Friction – less than 20mg horizontal and vertical
Effective Mass – 13 grams
Cartridge Weight Range – 3-9 grams
Stylus Pressure Range 0-3 grams
Arm Plus Lead Capacitance 85 pF
Headshell – Carbon fiber reinforced with clamping screw on arm