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AFI
Flat.2 DUO
Record Flattener / Relaxer
(Made in Germany)

RM9,900.00

Categories: Record Treatment / Repair, Turntable Accessories

Overview

AFI (Audio Fidelity Improvement) FLAT.DUO, a groundbreaking innovation in the world of record care. As the second product in our range of record ironers/relaxers, the FLAT.DUO combines the latest technology with efficient design. Through the revolutionary use of EPP (expanded polypropylene) for the housing construction, we achieve a previously unimaginable level of energy efficiency while reducing the ecological footprint.

DUO stands for two records and two treatment methods

The name “DUO” in FLAT.DUO stands for its duality in function and efficiency: the simultaneous treatment of two records and two treatment types – ironing and relaxing. This offers a significant time saving on the one hand and increases the sound quality on the other.

Ironing with reduced treatment time

The integrated fan of the FLAT.DUO makes it possible to iron two records at the same time in just around 1.75 hours – a significant time saving compared to the four hours of treatment time of conventional models. The fan can be regulated in three stages or can be deactivated.

Heating-press module

The innovative heating-press module of the FLAT.DUO record ironer enables two records to be ironed at the same time by stacking them in a piggyback or sandwich method. The well thought-out design of this module ensures even heat distribution and pressure, which is crucial for optimal results in the ironing process.

Torque knurled handle

The torque knurled handle plays a crucial role in the heating-press module of the FLAT.DUO record ironer. It ensures that the individual components of the module and the records are held securely together and pressed with exactly the right pressure. This is essential for the uniformity and high quality of the ironing process.

EPP – a material that revolutionizes the industry

Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a material that is ideal for use in record ironers/relaxers and marks a revolutionary step in device design. The EPP we use consists of 92% air and 8% polypropylene. Its high heat resistance and excellent thermal insulation make the material ideal for use in temperature-controlled processes.

Passive tempering/relaxation with EPP

For the first time, the use of EPP as a housing material makes passive tempering of vinyl records possible. The tempering process and thus the sound improvement work better the slower and more evenly the temperature drops towards the end of the process. Thanks to the excellent insulation properties of EPP, simply switching off the heating voltage is enough to achieve a perfect, ideally falling temperature curve. There is no need for reheating to extend the cooling phase.

Improved energy efficiency thanks to EPP

The FLAT.DUO only requires a connected load of 30 watts compared to 90 watts for the previous model flat.2.

Complex housing construction with EPP

EPP enables the realization of complex housing designs that would otherwise be difficult to manufacture thanks to mold-based production. The durability of EPP leads to an extended product lifespan.

Ecological and sustainable

EPP is environmentally friendly and recyclable, which means that the FLAT.DUO only leaves a small ecological footprint. Its use in the FLAT.DUO is an example of responsible innovation.

Made in Germany

With the FLAT.DUO, developed, designed and manufactured in Germany, we continue our tradition of innovation. Through continuous improvements and the inclusion of customer feedback, we combine proven technologies with new, innovative and clever solutions.

Test reports

The pianist Martin Vatter, who is also well-known in audiophile circles, shared his impressions with us after he was able to experience the difference in sound between a tempered and an untempered version of his new audiophile LP “Homeland” in a direct A/B comparison on his own music system. He wrote to us:

“My opinion on the “sound enhancer” AFI FLAT.DUO: The running noises and static crackling have almost completely disappeared. The record is perfectly flat and runs extremely quietly. My piano music has significantly more clarity and transparency, as if a silk curtain had been pulled up. The sound image impresses with more freshness and more brilliance. The entire musical performance is more intense, expressive and subtle. Overall, my musical expression and my musical interpretation are more noticeable…. What more could you want as an artist and as an audiophile! I am really very enthusiastic about the “sound enhancer” AFI FLAT.DUO!”

Marius Dittert writes in Stereoplay 3/2024 about the AFI FLAT.DUO:

“The tempering/relaxing mentioned several times is anything but voodoo. After all, there is also tempered glass, i.e. glass that has been subjected to heat treatment and is therefore significantly more shock and impact resistant than ordinary flat glass. In the AFI device, records are not only straightened, but tension is removed from the vinyl – and at the same time the very surface on which the tiny styluses have to do their almost impossible job is hardened. And that audibly makes their work easier. Because the reviewer did not want to believe it at first, he had AFI give him two identical LPs to take home: Enzo Pietropaoli’s quartet (yatra vol. 2, Jando Music) sounded clearly more harmonious, looser and more three-dimensional when listened to directly via the headphone output of the MoFi Ultra-Phono in the tempered version. These were not worlds apart, but important nuances that could not be overlooked and that were particularly noticeable on a high-resolution, large hi-fi system. After the AFI treatment, you simply listen longer, which is always a good sign of a real improvement in sound.

CONCLUSION: AFI has managed to make its record ironer more affordable, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. This is great news for audiophiles, but certainly also for record dealers who have previously had to sell precious items that have been languishing for far less than their value. Now there is an “ironer” that is not cheap, but is more than worth the price.

Holger Barske writes in his conclusion in LP Magazine 3/24:

“Ironing with the FLAT.DUO works excellently and the “relaxing” of records is clearly audible in many cases, which means the device clearly deserves a recommendation.”

The guys who discovered record tempering

Audio Fidelity Improvement & the HiFi Studio Wittmann, the discoverers of sound improvement of vinyl records by means of thermal relaxation, also known as tempering.

The record ironer

The idea and technical know-how for the record ironer come from Dr. Ullrich Kathe – a passionate hi-fi fan, analogue lover and long-time customer of the Wittmann HiFi studio. One day, Ulli Kathe brought his vision of a record ironer to the studio, motivated by the knowledge that wavy records directly influence the essential settings of a high-quality pickup, such as the horizontal alignment of the turntable, tracking force, VTA, azimuth and anti-skating. Depending on the wave position, the needle dips to different depths, which changes the previously carefully set parameters during scanning. Oliver Wittmann, the owner of the studio, was immediately enthusiastic about the idea. He offered to take care of marketing and sales and to take over the sound evaluation of the ironing processes. That was the start of the joint project: ‘The record ironer’, Made in Germany.

The development

During the two years of development, we experimented, tinkered and ironed with passion. Countless test records went through processes with a wide range of temperatures and varying warm-up, holding and cooling times. Oliver Wittmann regularly checked the sound of the ironing results on his reference system. It was of central importance not only to achieve a perfectly flat record, but also to ensure that the sound quality remained undiminished. The decisive “aha” moment occurred during this research process: ‘Wait a minute, that sounds better than before!’ This is how the innovative idea of tempering vinyl records was born. Another year of development work was devoted to determining the optimal temperature profiles and holding times. The goal: to achieve the best possible tempering of vinyl records and thus a maximum improvement in sound.

The start in 2016

In 2016 the time had finally come: the world’s first record ironer, the AFI flat with a special tempering/relaxation program to improve the sound of vinyl records, came onto the market.

What is tempering?

Tempering, a form of heat treatment, has long been used in industry. The basic principles of tempering, especially in the processing of metals, were already known in ancient times. However, the systematic application of these techniques in modern industry only began with the industrial revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. For example, tempering steel was a crucial step in the production of high-quality tools and components. The industrial application of tempering in materials such as glass and plastics began in the 20th century, favored by improved chemical and physical knowledge and new manufacturing methods.

Why should you temper a record?

Records are pressed at around 150 degrees Celsius, with the pressing process taking around 30 seconds. After a short cooling phase in which the matrices are cooled with water, the record is removed and stacked on a spindle for further cooling, weighted down with metal plates. Due to the uneven and rapid cooling – much faster on the outside than on the inside – and the toughness of the material, the long molecular chains of PVC and polyvinyl acetate have little chance of aligning themselves in a relaxed manner. This manufacturing method leads to material tensions that are “frozen” in the material and are audible.

What happens during tempering?

During tempering, the vinyl record is slowly and evenly heated up to the plateau temperature, held at this temperature for a while and then cooled down very slowly and in a controlled manner – a process that can take up to four hours. Slow and even cooling is more important than heating. This allows the molecules to align naturally and without stress. This process significantly reduces the tensions and makes the material harder, more robust and more homogeneous.

For more information:

Contact : Dicky Ng 012-3308893
Contact : John Yew 016-2861000
Email : [email protected]

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Weight	10 kg

Specification

• power input: max. 90 VA
• maximum temperature: 59° C (Standard program), 54-60° C (Expert program)
• deviation of target temperature: less than 0,25 K
• size: 400 x 55 x 500 mm
• weight: 8,7 kg

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Flat.2 DUO
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AFI Flat.2 DUO Record Flattener / Relaxer (Made in Germany)

Specification

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AFI
Flat.2 DUO
Record Flattener / Relaxer
(Made in Germany)

Be the first to review “AFI
Flat.2 DUO
Record Flattener / Relaxer
(Made in Germany)” Cancel reply