LUDWIG
The LUDWIG combines three precisely matched components : the Thiele IWD idler drive, developed as an OEM product ; the proven Thiele TA01 tangential tonearm ; and a chassis designed specifically for this combination.
Thiele TA01
The tangential tonearm eliminates tracking angle error entirely, delivering exceptional precision in stylus tracking. Effective resonance-damping measures ensure tonal naturalness and a stable, quiet presentation.
Thiele Idler Drive IWD
Two synchronous motors, arranged opposite each other, each transfer their driving force via a rim wheel to a sub-platter. The gear ratio and rotational speed are chosen so that the drive operates with maximum mechanical smoothness.
The rim wheels consist of a bronze body with an outer ring of wear-resistant polyurethane, ground to precise dimensions on a specially developed cylindrical grinding device — a guarantee of exact concentricity without any eccentricity.
The rim wheels are mounted in a lever system with leaf-spring joints (»flexures«) — friction-free and play-free pivot points made from thin spring steel. An integrated damping system consisting of a vibration body and damping gel reliably eliminates the rumble noise typical of rim drive systems. The entire system is maintenance-free and extremely stable over the long term.
When at rest, the rim wheels are lifted away from the sub-platter by linear motors — ensuring they remain permanently free of pressure marks and perfectly round. The Westend Ludwig thus combines all the advantages of rim drive — speed and dynamics — without its well-known drawbacks.
Ludwig Chassis
The chassis, milled from solid aluminium, takes up the design language of the Westend amplifiers and is divided into three stacked levels: the lower level houses the drive and the height-adjustable feet, the middle level accommodates the connections for the power supply as well as XLR and RCA outputs, and the upper level holds the tonearm, armboard, control panel, and two spirit levels for horizontal alignment.
The multi-layer construction of different materials connects tonearm and drive with maximum rigidity, effectively eliminating resonances at every level of the turntable.
Outputs & Control
The XLR and RCA outputs are not wired in parallel, but can be switched via encapsulated relays with automatic contact cleaning — available as an option. The external motor controller operates with two separate frequency generators (33⅓ and 45 RPM), feeding three amplifier modules for the synchronous motors. The speed is finely adjustable within a range of ±5%. Power is supplied by a power supply unit with a toroidal transformer.