Jack Dinsdale Rock 2 'Birth Of the Rock Turntable/ Townshend Audio

part 2 Jack Dinsdale Rock lecture "Birth of the Rock" chronicles the evolution of high-performance record players during the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time marked by the convergence of various innovative concepts. This period saw a perceived stagnation in the development of record decks compared to advancements in pickups, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. Driven by dissatisfaction with existing record deck designs, a critical examination revealed discrepancies with established engineering principles, prompting the exploration of new ideas and materials.

The emergence of the Linn Sondek player by Ivor Tiefenbrun stirred attention, yet it lacked the mechanical engineering principles that were crystallizing in the mind of Jack Dinsdale, the protagonist. Interestingly, Linn's aggressive marketing inadvertently primed the market for a new understanding of record deck design, ultimately benefiting Dinsdale's vision for the Rock.

One key innovation stemmed from Dinsdale's work on hydrodynamic non-contact bearings, inspired by Muiderman's aerodynamic gas bearing for gyro-compasses. Although this bearing design wasn't implemented in commercial Rocks, it laid a foundation for further exploration. Another pivotal discovery was synthetic granite, a material offering superior stiffness and damping properties ideal for record deck construction.

The project faced setbacks, including the failed adoption of Dinsdale's fluid bearing patent by Garrard, and his personal struggle with illness. However, through collaboration with students and industry partners, breakthroughs emerged. Notably, the design of the Rock's arm, leveraging principles of offset and overhang for reduced lateral tracking distortion, was a significant achievement.

The project gained momentum when Max Townshend became involved, providing sponsorship and facilitating commercialization. Despite challenges and compromises, the first Rock player was introduced in 1983, receiving accolades for its design and engineering. Subsequent iterations, including the Elite Rock and Rock Reference, continued to refine the concept.

Meanwhile, Dinsdale's quest for reducing lateral tracking distortion led to the invention of a novel pivoted arm mechanism, ultimately patented in 1987. Further development of this technology occurred in collaboration with graduate students at the University of Dundee, culminating in a working prototype by 1994.

In essence, the birth of the Rock exemplifies a journey of innovation, perseverance, and collaboration, driven by a passion for achieving audio excellence.