The new AFI Flat.Solo is a highly precise record flattener—or record iron, if you prefer—designed to restore warped vinyl records to their original shape.
Most vinyl enthusiasts eventually encounter records that are no longer perfectly flat. Perhaps they were improperly stored by a previous owner, or maybe they spent a few decades in an attic. The German-made AFI Flat.Solo has been developed to solve exactly that problem.
The device uses a carefully controlled thermal treatment process to flatten warped or dished records. Once placed inside the machine, the record undergoes a precisely managed heating cycle designed to return it to a flat condition. The operating temperature is 55 degrees Celsius, and users can choose between two programmes: one for minor warps and another for records that resemble a miniature mountain landscape. The complete treatment consists of three stages: heating, temperature stabilisation and controlled cooling. According to the manufacturer, this process allows the record to emerge from the machine flat and ready for playback.
One particularly interesting aspect of the Flat.Solo is the material used for its enclosure. The housing is constructed from polypropylene that consists of approximately 92 percent air. This provides excellent insulating properties, helping to distribute heat evenly while minimising the risk of hotspots. The actual heating element is based on a specially developed polyester heating foil.
The AFI Flat.Solo made its public debut at the recently concluded High End Vienna exhibition. It is expected to become available shortly with a price tag of approximately €1,490.