After an extensive period of research, development and testing the RPM 9 Carbon is now available as an alternative high-end turntable offering. Based on the same “teardrop” chassis as its predecessor, the RPM 9.2 Evolution, but boasting similar improvements to the flagship RPM 10 Carbon, the RPM 9 Carbon is a worthy consideration for any high-end analogue system.

The stylish plinth design has been chosen due to its improved resonance characteristics. The CNC-machined MDF structure is packed with resin-coated steel pellets to form a high-mass sandwich construction that provides a firm base for the turntable. The whole plinth is then put through a complex heat treatment process and coated in a carbon fibre surface to reduce resonance levels as low as possible. The main turntable structure is then effectively decoupled from its support thanks to the plinth’s magnetic feet.

The RPM 9 Carbon boasts a new 7.2kg polished aluminium platter, inspired by the award-winning Xtension 9 SuperPack record player. The platter is internally lined with Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE) damping material and topped with vinyl. The whole platter sits on top of a high-quality inverted ceramic main bearing for a completely stable turntable speed with extra-low rumble.

As with all models in the RPM Carbon series, the RPM 9 Carbon uses a perimeter belt drive mechanism. The premium motor has an automatic speed change switch built into the top panel for easy changing between 33 and 45rpm. The motor also benefits from a built-in AC power generator PCB, to deliver a clean mains supply to the motor. The motor is completely decoupled from the main chassis and sits on top of a custom-designed steel base for improved stability.

The RPM 9 Carbon is supplied with the hugely popular 9CC Evolution Tonearm pre-installed. The 9” tonearm boasts a conical carbon fibre tube and inverted bearing design that allows for perfect tracking, even with demanding pick-up cartridges. For improved signal transmission, the tonearm is supplied with a 5-Pin to RCA Connect-IT CC cable.

The RPM 9 Carbon is finished with a heavy-weight record puck, completing a true high-end package that delivers a lively, engaging, musical performance.

True Balanced Connections

The interconnect cable between a record player and a phono stage is prone to pick up noise on the way. That noise and interference can stem from a lot of unavoidable sources, such as household applicances, wi-fi and bluetooth devices, other power cables and audio amplifiers. Unshielded (i.e. RCA) interconnects can amplify the picked-up noise and make it audible through your speakers, interfering with the pure musical signal.

Balanced (typically XLR) cable connections double the wires carrying the musical signal – with one side inverted. In this case noise still gets picked up by both wires, but with one side reversed. When the signals are re-joined at the phono stage, the picked-up noise is cancelled out by the opposing signals. The benefit of this is a louder, cleaner musical signal that has doubled in size with almost no remaining noise.

• Premium 'teardrop' turntable design
• Advanced sandwich construction of plinth made from MDF, carbon fibre and steel pellets 
• Mass-loaded subchassis design with magnetic feet 
• Inverted main bearing with ceramic ball
• 7.2kg acoustically inert aluminium platter with TPE damping and vinyl mat
• Precise DC driven AC generator (Speed Box) built-in to motor
• Electronic speed control with easy switching between 33 and 45RPM 
• Outboard motor construction with massive steel base 
• Pre-mounted 9CC Evolution tonearm