AFI FLAT.DUO RECORD FLATTENER & RELAXER

ABOUT

AFI (Audio Fidelity Improvement) and HiFi Studio Wittmann present the FLAT.DUO, a groundbreaking innovation in the world of record care. 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 - flattening and relaxing. This offers a significant time saving on the one hand and increases the sound quality on the other.

Flattening with reduced treatment time
The integrated fan of the FLAT.DUO makes it possible to flatten two records simultaneously in just around 1.75 hours—a significant time savings compared to the four hours of treatment time of conventional models. The fan can be regulated in three stages or deactivated.

Heating-press module
The innovative heating-press module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener enables two records to be flattened simultaneously 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 flattening results.

Torque knurled handle
The torque-knurled handle plays a crucial role in the heating-press module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener. 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 flattening process.

EPP - a material that revolutionizes the industry
Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a material that is ideal for use in record flatteners/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.

Vinyl LP 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 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 themselves naturally and without stress. This process significantly reduces the tensions and makes the material harder, more robust and more homogeneous. There is an audible improvement in the quality of playback.

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
Thanks to mold-based production, EPP enables the realization of complex housing designs that would otherwise be difficult to manufacture. Its durability 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 techniques with new, innovative and clever solutions.