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Townshend's Quest for Hi-Fi Perfection

Max’s pursuit was never about following trends or bowing to market whims. His products—the fruits of tireless exploration—emerged from a desire to bring audiophiles and music lovers closer to the essence of the musical note. He sought to recreate the grandeur of an orchestra, where every instrument breathes with clarity, separated by air, each attack and decay rendered with precision. His dream was a soundstage both wide and deep, an uncoloured presentation that mirrors the original event as faithfully as possible. To achieve this, Max and his team delved into the rockpool of audio design, turning over every stone with care, examining each detail, and gently placing it back—changing only what demanded change.
 

Where Engineering Mastery Meets Acclaimed Innovation

Backed by a team with centuries of collective expertise in traditional academic training in electronics and communication engineering, Townshend Audio pushed the boundaries of fidelity to their very limit. This meticulous approach gave rise to legendary innovations, each a testament to Max’s unrelenting standards. The Tor speakers, revered for their ability to unveil the subtlest nuances of sound, stand as pillars of acoustic excellence. The Rock turntable, a marvel of stability and refinement, redefined vinyl playback with its groundbreaking design. Our speaker cables, crafted with scientific rigour, deliver an untainted signal, preserving the integrity of every note. And the Maximum Supertweeters, a stroke of brilliance, extend the audible horizon, revealing details that breathe life into the music—details others might never hear.
Today, Townshend Audio remains a living legacy. We continue to craft products not only from the blueprints Max left us but also by working alongside his original team, blending their wisdom with fresh inspiration. Together, we are forging a new generation of audio solutions—tools for those who yearn to hear music as it was meant to be, uncompromised and alive. Our story is one of passion, precision, and an enduring commitment to sharing the truth of sound with the world.

Maximum SuperTweeters

Picture a listening experience where every note resonates with breathtaking clarity, every chord unfolds with effortless depth, and every subtle nuance transports you to the heart of the music.
This is the magic of the Townshend Maximum Supertweeter—a pinnacle of high-frequency innovation that redefines high-fidelity audio. Born from decades of passion and precision, this compact marvel is the culmination of founder Max Townshend’s relentless quest for sonic perfection.
The journey began in the early 1970s in Sydney, Australia, where Max crafted the legendary HQD speaker system—a monumental setup featuring dual Hartley 24” bass drivers, stacked Quad ESL-57s, and Decca Ribbon speakers as supertweeters. These ribbons were transformative, countering the treble roll-off of the ESL-57s and delivering a sound so immersive it left listeners in awe. But their fragility meant frequent repairs, and when Max moved to the UK in 1978, he left the system behind—yet the spark of the super tweeter’s potential burned brighter than ever.
For the next 15 years, Max chased the perfect supertweeter. He tested the impressive but bulky Pioneer models and the excellent yet costly Murata spherical radiators, which lacked level control. None were the complete solution. Determined to overcome these limitations, Max and the Townshend Audio team in our UK factory embarked on a two-year journey of meticulous development. In 1999, the Maximum Supertweeter was born, officially launched in 2001 as a sleek, miniature masterpiece crafted from polished stainless steel (now also available in satin black or matte silver).
What sets the Maximum Supertweeter apart? At its core is an ultra-light aluminium ribbon powered by powerful neodymium magnets, extending your speakers’ frequency response to an astonishing 90 kHz—far beyond the human ear’s typical 15 kHz limit. Unlike conventional dome tweeters, which convert less than 1% of electrical energy into sound and smear music with chaotic, delayed waves, our ribbon design stops moving almost instantly, delivering razor-sharp transients with unparalleled precision. Paired with a simple 6-position crossover/level control and included Fractal™-wired cables, it integrates effortlessly with any speaker system, regardless of sensitivity, fitting seamlessly into any setup.
Why does sound above 20 kHz matter? Music is more than sine waves—it’s a symphony of frequencies, some extending well beyond human hearing. Research reveals that ultra-high frequencies, present in natural sounds like rustling leaves or snapping twigs, enhance realism. Just as a high-resolution image sharpens visual edges, the Maximum Supertweeter’s extended bandwidth—up to 90 kHz—unlocks crystalline highs, enhances bass clarity, and creates a soundstage so expansive it feels alive. Remarkably, recent studies suggest that these frequencies are detected by the temple and eyes, bypassing the ear and reaching the brain via neural pathways, thereby enriching the listening experience in ways that you feel as much as hear. Even with CDs limited to 21 kHz, the supertweeter works wonders. Rising gently from 12 kHz, it outpaces the chaotic output of dome tweeters, allowing your ears to lock onto its pristine response. The result? Plucked bass strings resonate with newfound clarity, vocals breathe with ease, and the soundstage expands in both width and depth, delivering an effortless and immersive experience. Installation is a breeze, with included cables and optional Quad 57 brackets ensuring no extra purchases are needed. The effect is transformative—and unforgettable. Listeners describe more precise bass, smoother mids, and a sense of ease that makes the music feel natural, as if the performers are in the room. Remove the supertweeters, and the sound collapses—flat, constrained, lifeless. It’s not subtle. Over two decades since its debut, the Maximum Supertweeter has remained a cornerstone of Townshend Audio’s pursuit of sonic perfection, embraced by thousands of audiophiles worldwide who have unlocked the full potential of their systems.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Auto-Transformer Preamplifiers

At Townshend Audio, our mission has always been to deliver sound in its purest form—uncolored, uncompromised, and unforgettable. For decades, we’ve chased the holy grail of audio: the perfect volume control, free from the distortions, noise, and limitations that plague traditional designs. The result? The Allegri Reference passive preamplifier—a masterpiece that redefines clarity, control, and immersion in high-fidelity audio. The journey began with the shortcomings of conventional preamplifiers. Standard potentiometers suffered from distortion at the wiper interface and capacitive loading issues, while active circuits introduced hum, noise, and distortion. Switched attenuators improved contact reliability but lacked sufficient steps and remote control, with switches prone to wear. Opto volume controls promised innovation but faltered with non-linear distortion, and even the best digital volume controls couldn’t match the transparency of transformer-based designs. Undeterred, Townshend Audio set out to create something extraordinary. Enter the Allegri+, our compact yet mighty autotransformer-based preamplifier, which evolved from the original Allegri into a giant-killer. With six RCA inputs, two outputs, and a front-panel 3.5mm jack, it’s wound with our proprietary Fractal™ wire and ultra-thin mu-metal laminations. The result? Crystal-clear treble, vivid mids, and deep, powerful bass—a revelation for audiophiles seeking uncolored sound without the complexity of active circuits. Hailed for its transparency, the Allegri+ set a new standard, earning accolades for its “holographic soundstage” and “breathtaking detail” (Positive Feedback). But we didn’t stop there. The Allegri Reference takes this legacy to new heights, blending cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship. Launched as the ultimate solution to volume control challenges, this microprocessor-controlled preamp features 129 precise 0.5dB volume steps, seamlessly adjusted via an Apple TV remote or front-panel controls, displayed on a sleek LED interface. With five stereo RCA inputs, two XLR pairs, and built-in Seismic Isolation feet, every component is point-to-point wired with Fractal™ wire, ensuring a soundstage so vivid and detailed it feels like the music is alive in your room. Unlike copper-wired designs that sound “dull” or silver-wired ones that feel “bright and edgy,” the Allegri Reference’s Fractal™ wiring delivers unparalleled neutrality and dynamics. Supported by our latest Seismic Isolation technology, it eliminates micro-vibrations, revealing nuances in your music you’ve never heard before. This is more than a preamplifier—it’s the heart of your hi-fi system, designed to preserve absolute signal integrity. The Allegri Reference is the culmination of decades of innovation, building on Townshend’s pioneering work in transformer-based volume control. Since the early 2000s, our commitment to passive preamplification has challenged industry norms, proving that simplicity, when executed with precision, outperforms complex active circuits. As SoundStage! Ultra notes, transformer volume controls like ours surpass even the best digital alternatives, offering unmatched clarity and fidelity (https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/general-interest-interviews-menu/311-what-s-wrong-with-digital-volume-controls). For a limited time, we’re thrilled to offer an exclusive early-bird deal: purchase an Allegri Reference and receive two pairs of 1.8-meter Fractal™-wired interconnects, elevating your system’s performance even further. This is your chance to own the preamplifier that audiophiles worldwide celebrate for its transformative impact—delivering sound so pure, it’s as if the artist is performing just for you.


Seismic Vibration Isolation

At Townshend Audio, we’ve spent decades unravelling the hidden enemy of high-fidelity sound: unwanted vibrations. From the groundbreaking Rock turntable of the 1970s to the cutting-edge Seismic range of today, our journey reflects an unwavering commitment to engineering solutions that let music shine in its truest, most unadulterated form. With our Seismic Isolation technology, we’ve redefined what’s possible, isolating vibrations down to an astonishing 3Hz—well below the audio band—ensuring every frequency arrives with pristine clarity. Using a vibration app, we prove what others can’t: no approach matches the Townshend Seismic range for eliminating both gross and micro-vibrations, delivering a listening experience that’s nothing short of revelatory.A Legacy of Vibration Control Innovation.
Our story begins in the 1970s with the Rock turntable, a pioneering design by founder Max Townshend and Jack Dinsdale. Its standout feature was a tonearm-damping trough—a fluid-filled channel that absorbed vibrational energy from the stylus and cartridge. This elegantly simple solution used the viscosity of the fluid to dampen resonance, preventing micro-vibrations from travelling through the tonearm and muddying the sound. The result? Cleaner, more accurate reproduction of a record’s grooves, unveiling subtle details that brought music to life. This early innovation revealed a critical truth: even the tiniest mechanical disturbances can compromise audio fidelity, setting the stage for Townshend’s lifelong pursuit of vibration control.In the 1990s, we took a quantum leap forward with the Seismic Sink, an isolation platform that used air suspension to “float” components like turntables, CD players, and amplifiers. Ground-borne vibrations—from footsteps to traffic rumble—could interfere with sensitive piezoelectric elements or electronic circuits, introducing noise and distortion. The Seismic Sink’s air-bladder system acted as a low-pass mechanical filter, absorbing these disturbances before they reached the equipment. This was a game-changer, especially for piezoelectric devices like phono cartridges, which convert mechanical stress into electrical signals and are highly susceptible to interference. By isolating entire systems from external seismic forces, the Seismic Sink proved that comprehensive vibration control could elevate performance across all hi-fi components.The Seismic Range: Engineering Perfection. Building on these foundations, Townshend Audio developed the Seismic range—a pinnacle of vibration isolation technology. Replacing the maintenance-prone air bladders of the Seismic Sink, the Seismic range employs Seismic Load Cells: high-tensile steel springs encased in flexible rubber jackets, paired with air-damped mechanisms. These cells isolate vibrations starting as low as 3Hz, covering a broad spectrum of disturbances in all directions (up/down, left/right, back/forth). Unlike traditional methods, such as spikes, which often amplify vibrations by rigidly coupling equipment to the floor, our compliant, floating system sever the acoustic connection between your gear and its environment. The result? A maintenance-free, set-and-forget solution that’s durable, adjustable for weight and level, and engineered to last a lifetime.

Debunking Vibration Isolation MythsVibration isolation in audio is often shrouded in mystery, half-truths, and wild theories. At its core, the challenge is simple: reduce vibrations from the support surface (floor or table) to the equipment. The “Theory of More Stuff” explains it plainly—place something between the equipment and its support, and you’ll attenuate vibrations to some degree. Spikes, glass, wood, slate, ball bearings, Blu Tack, sand, or stacked platforms all work to varying extents, but they’re inconsistent and limited. Victorian engineers solved this two centuries ago with the spring, and Townshend has perfected it. Our Seismic Load Cells, optimised with an appropriate mass, create a mechanical low-pass filter with a resonant frequency as low as 3 Hz in both horizontal and vertical planes, achieving an attenuation of approximately 25 dB at 10 Hz, increasing by 20 dB per decade above. This ensures exceptional isolation across the deleterious audio range of 5 Hz to 500 Hz. Proven Results with Cutting-Edge TechnologyWhat sets Townshend apart? We don’t just claim superiority—we prove it. Using a vibration app, we demonstrate how our Seismic range stops vibrations dead in their tracks, unlike other approaches that merely attenuate specific frequencies. From speaker podiums to individual component pods and platforms, our solutions eliminate both gross and micro-vibrations, ensuring every note arrives in its purest form. Other methods—such as spikes, stacked platforms, or compliant sheets—can’t match this precision. Rigid coupling, such as spiking to the floor, often amplifies vibrations, whereas our floating system delivers unmatched isolation, preserving timing, detail, and dynamics. You won’t find a result greater than the Townshend Seismic range, which isolates down to 3Hz, well outside the audio band, for a soundstage that’s vivid, immersive, and true. A Transformative Listening ExperienceUncontrolled vibrations mask detail, blur timing, and compromise the listening experience. Whether it’s the resonance of a tonearm or microtremors from the environment, these disturbances degrade the music you love. Townshend’s Seismic range transforms this reality, revealing nuances you’ve never heard before—crisp transients, deep bass, and a holographic soundstage that feels alive. From the Rock turntable’s damping trough to the Seismic Sink’s air suspension and now the maintenance-free Seismic Load Cells, our progression reflects a deepening understanding of vibration’s impact on audio. We’ve turned an audiophile afterthought into a cornerstone of high-fidelity sound. Hear the Music, Not the Noise. Discover Townshend Audio’s Seismic Isolation Range. 


Audio Cables

Cables represent the longest physical link between components in an audio system, serving as the critical pathways for electricity to travel from one point to another. In theory, this journey occurs at the speed of light—approximately 299,792 kilometers per second in a vacuum—making it nearly instantaneous. However, in the real world of audio systems, the current’s passage through a cable isn’t quite so flawless. As electricity flows to and through the cable, it encounters inevitable echoes and reflections, disturbances caused by impedance mismatches between components like the amplifier and the speaker. These reflections can distort the signal, introducing unwanted artifacts that color the sound and obscure its purity. Recognizing this, Max Townshend, the visionary behind Townshend Audio, set out to design a cable that would minimize these effects, ensuring the signal arrived as intact as possible.
Impedance matching is key to this challenge. When the impedance of the cable, amplifier, and speaker isn’t aligned, part of the electrical signal bounces back—like an echo in a canyon—creating interference that muddies the audio. Max understood that a cable’s construction could either exacerbate or mitigate this issue. Standard cables, with their often simplistic designs, tend to let these reflections run rampant, resulting in a sound that’s tinged with unnatural coloration—bright, harsh, or overly warm tones that deviate from the original recording. Determined to eliminate this, Max applied his engineering expertise to develop a cable that controls these echoes through careful design, focusing on consistent impedance and signal integrity.
The result of this pursuit is Townshend Audio’s Isolda DCT (Deep Cryogenically Treated) cables, a testament to Max’s mission. These cables use a unique construction—flat, closely spaced conductors in a parallel configuration, often likened to a transmission line—to maintain a characteristic impedance that closely matches typical speaker loads (around 4 to 8 ohms). This design minimizes signal reflections by ensuring the electrical energy flows smoothly from amplifier to speaker, without bouncing back to distort the sound. The conductors are also cryogenically treated, a process that enhances their molecular structure, reducing resistance and further refining signal clarity. The outcome is a cable that delivers sound free from coloration—completely natural, transparent, and true to the source, with no lingering echoes to cloud the listening experience. Max’s innovation transformed the humble cable from a weak link into a conduit of sonic purity, proving that even the smallest details in a system can profoundly impact the whole.

The Rock Turntable: A Seismic Shift in Vinyl Precision

At Townshend Audio, our Rock record player is more than a turntable—it’s a legacy of innovation spanning over four decades. Born in the early 1980s from a collaboration with the Cranfield Institute of Technology, the original Elite Cranfield Rock introduced a groundbreaking concept: a front-end damping trough filled with silicone fluid to eliminate cartridge resonance at the source. This radical design, spearheaded by founder Max Townshend, set the stage for a lineage of turntables revered for their clarity, taut bass, and unflinching fidelity. Evolving through models like the Rock V and now the acclaimed Rock 7, our Rock series continues to deliver the purest vinyl playback, hand-crafted in London with the same passion that started it all. Discover the sound of precision—experience the Rock.

We've been right all along. Now, the world is listening.

Townshend Audio has always been ahead of its time—our designs defy obsolescence. Whether it’s the Rock turntable, our isolation technology, or our latest preamplifiers, we engineer with one goal: delivering sound so pure it moves you.

Precision-Crafted Cables

Unlike mass-market alternatives, our cables are meticulously built with impedance-matched materials and premium copper, delivering sweet, natural sound clarity.

Timeless Engineering

We don’t chase trends; we build enduring audio solutions grounded in decades of Hi-Fi expertise.

Unrivaled Isolation

Borrowing principles from high-performance industries, our low-pass mechanical filter technology eliminates vibrations, preserving the purest sound possible.

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Why Choose Isolda Speaker Cables?


Most speaker cables in the audio industry overlook the science of transmission line theory, resulting in micro-reflections that smear and veil the purity of sound. These reflections bounce between the source and speaker, muddying the music you love. The Isolda DCT Speaker Cable eliminates this issue through its unique geometry, closely matching the impedance of your amplifier and speakers. The result? A crystal-clear soundstage, lifelike 3d imaging, and seismic bass that transforms your listening experience.

Engineered for Audiophile Perfection

Crafted by hand in small batches, Townshend Isolda cables feature closely spaced, insulated flat copper conductors encased in a polyester braid sheath. This design makes them virtually immune to Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), ensuring a silent background that lets every note shine. Whether you’re listening to intricate classical compositions or powerful rock anthems, the Isolda delivers sound so natural, it feels like the artist is in the room.

Pure, Uncolored Sound

 

The Isolda DCT’s impedance-matched design (8 ohms) eliminates signal reflections, delivering music exactly as recorded. The Ear praises it as “one of the best speaker cables money can buy” for its neutral, fatigue-free sound.

Seismic Bass Power

Closely spaced EDCT copper ribbons produce deep, articulate bass with unrivaled solidity. townshendcable.com highlights “bass with a power that is truly seismic,” making every low note punchy and precise.

Stunning 3D Imaging

he cable’s low-inductance geometry creates a holographic soundstage, placing instruments with pinpoint accuracy. 6 Moons notes it “can convey a huge and realistic soundstage,” immersing you in the music.

 

 

 

Silent Backgrounds

 

Virtually immune to RFI due to its flat, closely spaced conductors, the Isolda DCT ensures pitch-black backgrounds.
 
With genuinely silent backgrounds,” letting subtle details shine.
 
 

Perfect Impedance Matching

With an 8-ohm impedance matching typical speakers, the Isolda DCT prevents distortion from mismatched cables. townshendcable.com explains this preserves square waves, ensuring “no ringing or distortion.”
 
 

Unequal Lengths, Same Sound

Unlike other cables, Isolda DCT Speaker Cables perform flawlessly even in unequal lengths. Thanks to their advanced impedance-matching technology, the sound from each speaker remains identical, regardless of cable length. This flexibility makes them ideal for any audio setup, from compact home systems to sprawling high-end rigs.

Explosive, Precise Dynamics

 

EDCT-treated conductors deliver lightning-fast transients and vast dynamics for thrilling playback. Every note snaps with energy from whispers to orchestral peaks, as HiFi Pig praises its “bass clarity and space,” emphasising high-current handling, ideal for dynamic genres like rock or classical. The Isolda DCT brings music to life with unmatched precision and power.
 

Natural, Fatigue-Free Sound

We’ve engineered the Isolda DCT for a relaxed, natural sound, free from harshness or edge. Impedance matching and RFI immunity ensure effortless music flow, perfect for vocals or acoustics, and one astute audiophile’s tale of his relief from “Alice-in-Wonderland” cable woes. Enjoy hours of fatigue-free listening with emotional depth and clarity.

Unleash Your Music’s True Potential

 The Townshend Isolda DCT Speaker Cable is your key to audiophile bliss.

 Transform your hi-fi into a sonic masterpiece. Don’t just listen—experience music with seismic power, stunning clarity, and soul-stirring emotion today.