The Townshend Rock 7 (R7) is a skeletal-style record player which incorporates all the engineering and functional features of the celebrated Rock V but at the considerably lower cost. The R7 is now only supplied with the familiar front-end damping trough characteristic of all Townshend Rock turntables to date.

Further upgrades comprise a record clamp, more powerful motor and flat belt, which, in conjunction with the optional Merlin II Electronic Power Supply, will give a significant reduction in noise and more accurate drive stability.

The turntable is supplied without a pick up arm, but with the armbase of your choice. Armbases for Rega, Linn, SME and Townshend Excalibur II arms are available "off the shelf". Others are available to special order (email your request when ordering). 

The R7 comprises a very substantial sub-chassis upon which is mounted the platter bearing, overall levelling counterweight and the optional trough, all of which is suspended symmetrically on three spring/bellows feet.  The motor box, which houses the 24 pole 250RPM synchronous motor with its associated two-speed drive pulley, IEC mains power input socket and on/off switch, is positioned independently of the main turntable assembly on the supporting table.

This arrangement ensures exceptional isolation between the motor and the turntable. Further vibration reduction is realised by suspending the motor on Nytrol elastic bands. To change speed, the standard round-section drive belt is positioned on the appropriate section of the motor's stepped wheel to provide 33 or 45 RPM.

The platter bearing is a unique one-piece precision-ground steel shaft with a hardened bottom-end resting on a steel ball; all lubricated with state-of-the-art synthetic oil as developed for Formula 1 racing cars. This sits in the bottom of a brass bearing-journal which is fixed to the main chassis. The bearing shaft extends through the sub-platter and the main platter, emerging at the top to form the spindle which centres the record. The top of the spindle has a threaded hole to take the standard Rock record clamp. This is optional but we recommend using it as it improves virtually all aspects of the sound. The platter is a substantial disk of high density polyethylene, chosen to have virtually identical physical properties as the vinyl LP. This sits on a smaller diameter sub-platter.

The metal parts are of solid-steel which is powder coated with a very tough, fine textured black polyester. All the fixings are heavy duty industrial grade stainless steel to ensure maximum strength and extra long life in todays rough and polluted environment. The sound of the Rock 7 with the trough and a good moving coil cartridge is astounding. The sound is naturally balanced over the whole frequency range with powerful deep bass combined with fast transients, clear wide sound stage in the mid band with silky smooth highs. Clicks plops scratches and all the normal artefacts associated with vinyl are enormously reduced. This allows unprecedented access to the music resulting in hours of listening pleasure.