AFI FLAT.2

Latest generation multifunction record flattener. Designed by Ulrich Kathe. Brings each vinyl back to its original planar conditions and optimizes its temperature for the benefit of listening. Flattens 12" LPs, 10" EPs and 7" singles. Three operating programs: standard, expert and relaxation. The disc is heated to 59° and then cooled down to 30° uniformly and very slowly. Front display . Very accurate and elegant realization in tempered glass. Dimensions (WxHxD): 40x5,5x50cm.Weight: 8,7Kg.

Other characteristics

The Audio Fidelity Improvement flat.2 is a multifunctional record flattener of the latest generation. It was conceived by Professor Ulrich Kathe, who is not only a Hi-Fi enthusiast, but also a chemist with a long experience in the industry and a great knowledge of materials. Thanks to his scientific approach, he was able to establish with absolute certainty not only the causes for which a record deforms, but above all how to flatten it, without damaging it in any way. In addition to the ability to return the record to a correct flatness, the flat.2 is also able to perform a temperature operation of the vinyl, which brings unexpected listening benefits.

Starting from the treatment of the corrugated record, the machine flattens 12" LPs, 10" EPs and 7" singles. The record is placed between two special flat mats and gradually brought up to a temperature of 59°C, all using a conspicuous number of temperature sensors and as many heating units, which allow the machine to achieve an absolutely uniform heat distribution.Then follows an equally careful and important cooling process, with which the disc is brought back to the temperature of 30°C.

The machine can work with three different programs:

Standard To reliably eliminate disc warping, in pre-set mode

Expert To perform the same function with flexible settings chosen by the expert user

Relax For effecting the temperament of the vinyl, with a thermal process which allows for a notable sonic improvement

The record is heated (and then cooled down) very slowly, evenly, and this thermal process results in, in most cases, a noticeable sonic improvement.

AFI flat.2 works very precisely and has various protection mechanisms to ensure very high process safety. The deviation from the nominal temperature value is less than 0.25 K and the display on the front panel informs the user about the progress of the operation.

The benefits of flattening a record are many. If a high quality pickup is forced to track on a wavy record, any previously made adjustments are all but useless, as horizontal and vertical alignment, tracking force, VTA, azimuth and anti-skating, all the parameters, in short.

Flattening a vinyl is therefore an entirely desirable and justified operation, which brings undeniable sonic advantages. Of course it is also possible to do it in an artisanal way, but without any guarantee of the result, and above all with many risks for the treated records. What makes AFI flat.2 different? It intelligently manages the heating and cooling time, maintains the correct temperature guaranteeing it on the entire surface of the record and in a uniform way, so that the record is respected in its chemical composition and molecular alignment.

From an aesthetic and constructive point of view, flat.2 is the best you could wish for, with extensive use of tempered glass, both for safety reasons, given its poor heat conduction capacity, and for elegance and simplicity in maintenance. Controls with magnetic operation, to eliminate the risk of any involuntary operation, and parts turned with high precision CNC machines for maximum reliability over time.

Technical features

Power supply: external, 24V, 90 VA

Maximum temperature: 59° C standard program, 54-60° expert program

Maximum temperature deviation: <0.25K

Dimensions: 400x55x500mm

Weight: 8.7kg