The THALES STATEMENT confirms again the unchallenged reference status of analogue music reproduction. It proves experience, thorough reflection, and careful craftwork to be able to achieve considerable progress in sound quality with this 130-year-old technology even today. In order to surpass our in-house reference products we had to combine tried and tested solutions with completely fresh approaches. Based on tetragon geometry, reducing the tracking error to a maximum of 0.006°, the THALES STATEMENT combines perfect tracking geometry with optimized mechanical energy derivation, being realized by consequent reflection on the materials used (high-strength aluminium alloy), and the design of all the parts placed in the energy flow. Thus, vibration resistance is increased many times over, and sound distortion due to parasitic remaining resonances is plainly reduced both measurably and audibly. The bearing unit is completely encapsulated, and all the coatings are done in precious metals (ruthenium, gold, rhodium) in order to harmonize the properties of sound. The THALES STATEMENT comes with an integrated mechanism and a scale for fine adjustment of VTA and azimuth, allowing precise angular alignment of the cartridge. The support of the tonearm lift, coupled directly with its lever, works by a high reduction ratio so that the needle may be lowered in a perfectly controlled manner. Options for tonearm wiring are either an integrated 5-pin-DIN-connector or direct wiring to the amplifier. Five different counterweights allow the use of cartridges weighing 7 to 20 grams. The appropriate realization of this technical masterpiece demands the best of Swiss craftsmanship: Its 288 separate parts are made by a handful of exquisite local manufacturers. We examine these parts closely in our atelier in Winterthur before they are refined and finally assembled piece by piece by hand. An experienced watchmaker with comprehensive skills is responsible for the entire process from start to finish. This traditional working method is directly related to personal demands of quality, and, as a consequence, the number of tonearms leaving our company every year is clearly limited.
