E.A.T. (European Audio Team), makers of high-end products including phono pre-amplifiers, cartridges and a wide range of turntables is offering the Fortissimo S turntable in North America. The “S” stands for small which makes it the smaller variant of E.A.T’s Fortissimo Turntable (priced from $12,000).
If some of the design features look familiar, you are probably wondering if the manufacturer is connected somehow to our friends at Pro-Ject Audio Systems.
Whilst the two brands are independent, E.A.T. benefits rather significantly from the shared manufacturing facilities and access to Pro-Ject’s extensive production capabilities.
E.A.T.’s products are a lot more expensive, but also deliver a much higher level of playback performance. Their MC cartridges are some of the best that we have heard from almost everyone; and that includes Ortofon, Grado, and Hana.
The Fortissimo S ($8,000, minus tonearm) is designed to be a significant step up from the company’s popular Forte S turntable, with a massive 50 lb.,15.75-inch platter that is assembled from aluminum, brass, and vinyl.
Tip: The entire turntable weighs about 104 pounds!
The Fortissimo S employs opposing magnets for platter support. This reduces the effective load on the bearing surface. The bearing has a unique inverted design topped with a ceramic ball and mounted in a steel alloy block. The shaft surface features a graphene-based low-friction coating that reduces friction to 1/6 of the EAT Forte S.
Tech Note: The Fortissimo S is a belt-drive turntable.
The Fortissimo S features a chassis with a two-part design that combines the dynamic delivery of a mass-loaded design with the low-noise characteristics of suspension.
The top-loaded section is comprised of high-density MDF and a metal-filled center. When mounted, with the platter, on opposing magnetic feet, the Fortissimo S boasts the isolation of a suspended turntable.
General Specifications
- Turntable Type: High-mass Belt-Drive with Optional Tonearm
- Electronic Speed Change: 33.3/45.11 rpm
- Speed Variance: 33rpm: ± < 0.07%, 45rpm: ± < 0.08%
- Wow & Flutter: 33rpm: ± <0.008 %, 45rpm: ± <0.008 %
- Signal-to-noise Ratio: -73dB
- Down Force Range: 0 – 30 mN 0 – 3.0 grams
- Dimensions (WHD): 550 x 250 x 440 mm (21.7 x 9.8 x 17.3 inches)
- Weight: 47kg (104lbs)
- Finish Options: Black, Makassar, Leather Black
From Roy Feldstein, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of VANA Ltd., exclusive North American importer of EAT: “The Fortissimo S is one of the best examples of the care that goes into designing EAT products,…Jozefina Lichtenegger and her team base all of their product designs on the idea that the finished product must represent the best in its price class, and they can only do so by taking a fresh approach to each and every model…I’m proud to bring this exceptional series to demanding audiophiles and music lovers in North America. Its products are beyond reproach.”
Initial Impressions
There doesn’t seem to be any letup in the vinyl revolution. There are turntables in all price ranges and the supply of high-end audio turntables continues to bring innovative offerings. One innovator in the high-end category is EAT (European Audio Team).
We previously reported on the E.A.T.’s C-Dur Turntable which fits well with the high-end category. E.A.T. is not pulling back as the Fortissimo S takes it up another high-end notch by not only being a heavyweight physically (about 3 times heavier than the C-Dur) but also incorporates features that are designed to make it a heavyweight in music reproduction.
Pricing & Availability
The E.A.T. Fortissimo S turntable is priced at $8,000 (minus tonearm and cartridge) and available in North America through VANA Ltd’s dealer Network.
Tonearm Options:
- EAT C-Note Straight Tonearm (12-inch version):: 1,425.00 (EUR)
- EAT F- Note MKII S-Shaped Tonearm: 3,791.67 (EUR)
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