Turntables

This incomparable turntable has been assembled with a total of 479 individual, hand-constructed parts.

Up to four tone arms can be added in its construction; the Invictus can be fitted with approximately every tone arm thereby enabling a never before existent flexibility and at the same time fulfilling the highest demands in musicality, rendition and aesthetics.

The base for the Invictus consists of an elaborately shaped lower section optimized in terms of stiffness and low vibration according to the latest knowledge in mechanics and application of finite element methods. A perfectly shaped cover panel is placed over this with the actual Invictus chassis resting on top of it.

These turntables are hewn from their raw materials in the German factory. Nothing is bought in or left to chance. Once you feel and hear an Invictus in person do you understand the pinnacle of engineering upon which it sits.

Built to order in Germany.

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Best in the world ... a limited league. Hearing Roger Waters "Amused to death" on this machine was quite simply the best LP listening experience of my highly saturated with vinyl life. it was at the last Munich Hi Fi Show in a room with a magnificent integrated valve amplifier and a pair of huge loudspeakers that I found this turntable as the source. Now Munich Hi End show is full of amazing ampz and speakers and much of the battle there for the attention of the visitors is the source. This Roger Waters album has been a steadfast demo in our business since we opened in 1990 and to say I know it intimately is an understatement. The experience of hearing it being played from the Invictus Junior will stay with me for the rest of my mortal.

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This is a Turntable that sits pride of place in the reference system here at Carlton Audio Visual. To put this first into context, our reference system consists of the Sonus Faber Flagship Aida 2 Speakers, Audio Research 160M Monoblocks & Ref 6 Pre-amp with a matching CD9SE CD player and PH9 phono stage.

Even though we have an extensive range of turntables, we still didn't have the right one for this system. 

It wasn't until Rab went to Munich High-End Hi-Fi show and sat down and listened to the Acoustic Signature's range, that he found THE ONE. He said the Invictus (@ c. $275,000 AUD) was the best turntable he had ever heard BUT this, the Ascona, holds many of the technical details of the Invictus and would also sit perfectly on our ready to go Basso Continuo rack (Invictus was a liiiittle large). 

Most importantly, the Ascona brings to life an analogue recording like nothing we've ever had in store. The 3D image of the music is papable. When we play Adele's 21, I feel like I can take a step and touch the microphone that she's singing into. 

We made sure to have the TA-9000 Tonearm mounted to this beauty.The TA-9000 is in itself an engineering marvel and I'm not the only person to believe that it is simply the very best tonearm money can buy. They make each of these with a Selective Laser Melting Process Machine millimeter by millimeter so that the inner tube is connected to the outer tubing with a precise tree-branch structure that COMPLETELY does away with resonance effects.

We've finished off the set up with a Van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius cartridge. 

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This is an ambitious high end single brand system that throws down the gauntlet from Japan to the rest of the World. Needless to say Yamaha have the resources to pull something like this off. Although the elements of the 5000 are firmly based on the iconic NS1000 loudspeakers and the turntable pre and power amplifiers of the time, this system is thoroughly representative of third decade 21st century materials and design. The Absolute Sound on the Yamaha 5000 system

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Engineered and manufactured in Germany in the corner of Germany where high-end car manufacturers go to have their spare parts made. With this sort of expertise and engineering capability in the area, it's no wonder that Acoustic Signature produce the finest Turntables in the world.

The Montana Neo boasts 3 separate motors uniquely contolled in real time by Acoustic Signature's Digital Motor Controller, a high mass (13kg) platter with 24 silencers embeded into it and an integrated control panel on the chassis.

This is Michael Fremer of the Absolute Sound magazine talking about his own Hi Fi system that includes the Acoustic Signature Montana from 15 minutes and 25 seconds into the video:

 

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We are looking to move on this exceptional state of the art turntable to make way something even a bit better. So we are offering it at a very special price.

Priced without a Tonearm please talk to us about options for Tonearms.

This is THE Turntable that sits pride of place in the reference system here at Carlton Audio Visual. To put this first into context, our reference system consists of the Sonus Faber Flagship Aida 2 Speakers, Audio Research 160M Monoblocks & Ref 6 Pre-amp with a matching CD9SE CD player and PH9 phono stage. This is it...

Even though we have an extensive range of turntables, we still didn't have the right one for this system. 

It wasn't until Rab went to Munich High-End Hi-Fi show and sat down and listened to the Acoustic Signature's range, that he found THE ONE. He said the Invictus (@ c. $275,000 AUD) was the best turntable he had ever heard BUT this, the Ascona, holds many of the technical details of the Invictus and would also sit perfectly on our ready to go Basso Continuo rack (Invictus was a liiiittle large). 

Most importantly, the Ascona brings to life an analogue recording like nothing we've ever had in store. The 3D image of the music is papable. When we play Adele's 21, I feel like I can take a step and touch the microphone that she's singing into. 

We made sure to have the TA-9000 Tonearm mounted to this beauty.The TA-9000 is in itself an engineering marvel and I'm not the only person to believe that it is simply the very best tonearm money can buy. They make each of these with a Selective Laser Melting Process Machine millimeter by millimeter so that the inner tube is connected to the outer tubing with a precise tree-branch structure that COMPLETELY does away with resonance effects.

We've finished off the set up with a Van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius cartridge. 

 

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With three separate motors all controled by a digital speed controller and the iconic triple-footed design this turntable is the ultimate balance in performance and proportion.

Many turntables in this price range are over complicated beasts. The Typhoon is sleek and unassuming in comparison. The bare metal finishes are impeccable and show off a raw yet elegant product.

Acoustic Signature produce a sound that is hard to describe because it lacks what other turntable companies may call sound signature. One might argue that this is probably more accurately described as distortion.

One of the absolute joys of being able ot play around with Acoustic Signature turntables is that the sound and tone of different cartridges really shine on these decks. Because the fundamental tone of the turntable is neutral you can really get the most out of a whole range of different cartridges.

All the detail you probably have never even imagined, right before your ears.

Acoustic Signature are German manufacturers of the highest calibre. Everything is done for the sole purpose of making a better sounding turntable - there are no cheap marketing frills. The results and the music are simply sublime.

 "The elemental force from Swabia" Analog Sources on the Typhoon NEO 

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Acoustic Signature Verona NEO is the brand new big brother to the Double X NEO. Incorporating the elegant classic look of the Double X NEO with the capabilities and specifications of the higher range turntables.

The Verona NEO is made in Germany to the exacting specifications of their engineers and designers all of whom work under the same roof. In fact even Gunther and Jacqueline Frohnhoefer live and work in the Acoustic Signature buildings. Gunther founded Acoustic Signature in the mid 90s driven by a passion for analogue music reproduction that was not on trend at the time! His commitment and foresight has paid off and the result is some of the best turntables in the world.

The Verona NEO encapsulates the ultimate in high-end turntable manufacture. The double motors, the inclusion of the DMC 20 (Digital Motor Control), capability for dual tonearms of between 9 and 12 inches means this turntable has the inky black background, quietness and refinement of the big metal models in the Acoustic Signature range. All of this within a classic wooden chassis.

This will be a very popular model and a timeless piece to take pride of place in your system.

 

The Verona official site. 

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The Rega Naia has been built as the production successor to the original Rega Niad that was such a beautiful thing, but it could only be ever made one at a time by hand using all the resources of the factory. That's why Mr Gandy and associates decided to produce the Naia, a somewhat more affordable British reference turntable built on the principles of the Niad.

Rega Naia official site. 

What Hi-Fi? on the Rega Naia 

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The next level in analogue reproduction. The Hurricane introduces a second motor to stabilise and raise the performance of the already exquisite, Tornado Neo.

These German turntables are high mass engineering marvels. Designers have tried many other ways to build turntables like springs, magnetic levitation and light weight acoustically dampening materials. Essentially they have skirted around having to actually build proper bearings to cope with the loads of real High Mass decks. Building real bearings like those in the new Neo range of Acoustic Signature is hard!

The silencer concept in the Acoustic Signature Turntables have also elimated the resonant frequencies that casued issues in other High Mass turntables.

Dynamics, precision, naturalness and spine-tingles are all there for the taking with the Hurricane Neo. 

There are few companies that are truly made-in-house and Acoustic Signature is one of those rare manufacturers. Literally pieces of metal are delivered to Acoustic Signature and what comes out is a perfectly formed Turntable. 

This is one of those coveted pieces of Audio equipment that will out live you and probably your children. It is heirloom quality and when you purchase one, I advise putting it in your Will to avoid familial conflicts later on...

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Michell utilise an inverted oil circulating bearing technology that completely revolutionised turntables when they introduced it. It results in near non existent friction in the bearing that leads to a tight and defined bass sound that other turntable companies can't reproduce.

An extra heavy design that absorbs vibrations creating the perfect inert platform for music playback as well as a spiffed up motor and power supply set this deck apart from other Michell Turntables.

Generally we specify a tonearm like the Rega RB3000 (RRP $2749) on this deck.

For a number of our staff members, the Orbe has been the Turntable of choice. The vinyl obsessives amongst us revel in the dexterity and clarity of sound this deck produces. True HiFi fanatics rejoice...Amen.

This version of the Orbe complete with perspex plinth and lid that keep out pesky environmental disturbances (something as simple as walking around on the floor near the Turntable) to create an even more inert deck and controlled sound.

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Modeled on the High End Invictus Turntable, the Tornado Neo offers the best of Acoustic Signature design at a modest price point.

Complete with 4 silencers on the platter that dampen vibrations, capacity to have up to 3 different tonearms and diamond coated spindle on the bearing, this is a serious turntable from a company that's serious about turntables.

You won't find any mention of colouration, bloom or muddiness in descriptions of this turntable. If you're after the fluffy uncontrolled vinyl sounds of the 70s, there are many other options out there. If you want to hear what modern turntable design of the 21st century can do when every detail of the Turntable is examined for its inertia and low resonance properties, you must look at an Acoustic Signature. The result of though-out engineering coupled with an exposed yet beautiful industrial design is a turntable that is sounds devastatingly clear and musical and shows off its engineering prowess with a raw beauty.

 

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The Yamaha GT5000 ... a turntable uniquely made by its own rules ... I think the tonearm design is excellent. I have sat through days literally of playing the GT5000 to the most critical possible audience at Hi Fi shows and not one indivisual has noted any tracking or balance errors, because there are none. Supremely low noise and precise is the emphasis here and the unique balanced out is a perfect match for a high quality phono stage or, even better, a C5000 preamplifier ...

By the way although this shares a designation of a certain American sports car ... that is far too crude an analogy for the precision and quality of this Record Player. More like a Nissan GT-R Nismo edition ...

Please note the outstanding reviews this turntable has been getting in the description below ...

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This is Michell Engineerings Reference Turntable simply without the Acrylic cover and plinth. Michell utilise an inverted oil circulating bearing technology that completely revolutionised turntables when they introduced it. It results in near non existent friction in the bearing that leads to a tight and defined bass sound that other turntable companies can't reproduce. 

An extra heavy design that absorbs vibrations creating the perfect inert platform for music playback as well as a spiffed up motor and power supply set this deck apart from other Michell Turntables.

It can be paired a Rega RB220 or RB330 tonearm. But it really deserves a tonearm like the Rega RB3000 (RRP $2749).

For a number of our staff members, the Orbe has been the Turntable of choice. The vinyl obsessives amongst us revel in the dexterity and clarity of sound this deck produces. True HiFi fanatics rejoice...Amen.

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Pro-Ject is the world's largest manufacturer of Turntables and the Signature 10 is their High-end offering that puts their decades of experience and manufacturing capability to good use.

It features a 10" S-bend Aluminium tonearm. The S-bend is a classic design that offers advantages in trackability of the record groove. Aluminium is one of the best materials acoustically to make tonearms out of as well having minimal acoustic resonances.

Also keeping acoustic resonances to a minimum are its magnetic feet and TPE pillows decouple the Signature 10 platter from its environment keeping a very low noise floor.

This turntable is clear and delicate sounding and on display for you to hear right now in Carlton!

Pro-Ject Signature 10 Turntable with Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge, $12,749. That's a $4349 cartridge for an extra $750!!

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The Double X Neo turntable by Acoustic Signature is an execution of engineering, design, beauty and craftsmanship that is rarely seen in turntables. Acoustic Signature have taken Turntables design to new heights. Bearings are made with exacting precision and with diamond coated spindles. Eight Brass (or optional upgrade to 24 cara gold) silencers are strategically placed around the platter for extra inertia reducing vibrations when the LP is playing.

In a world where globilisation has trasformed our consumer habits (for better or worse), it's heartening to know that Acoustic SIgnature make all of their turntables from start to finish, from lumps of brass and aluminium to extraordinary units capable of reproducing the finest musical experience. The german factory near Stuttgart isn't an assembly line of components made in other countries. All of the Acoustic Signature turntables are made in house by a team of dedicated manufacturers.

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The GyroDec has been an iconic Turntable since the 1980s and not just because of its looks but it sure does help! English Engineer John Michell used to work for Transcriptor Turntables making parts for their decks. Michell and Transcriptors had a very close working relationship and Transcriptors actually moved into the factory where Michell was working. When Transcriptors then moved most of their manufacturing to Ireland, Michell took on the sole license and manufacturing of their high end Hydraulic Reference turntable.

Around the same time Michell knew and worked with Stanley Kubrik. John Michell built the spaceship 'Discovery' for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. His relationship with Kubrik also led to the Hydraulic Reference Turntable's appearance in 'Clockwork Orange' 

Things like the inverted oil-pumping bearing ensure near frictionless bearing performance. I really beleive this is why the Turntable does so well in the lower frequencies. The low indeterminate rumbles you get from other turntables result in a product that has a fuzzy bass. The GyroDec's bass is tight and controlled and the edges of the notes are devastatingly well defined.

There have been other improvements over the years as well. Upgrades to the motor design being the main one coming with a standalone high quality DC motor. Although this deck looks like the classic of the 70s make no mistake, it doesn't perform like it.

The full GyroDec version unlike the GyroDec SE comes with the single Acrylic chassis. A high quality Acrylic material that is incredibly inert to stop environmental vibrations getting to your cartridge. 

Michell, don't spend money of advertising let alone paying people to write reviews. Regardless there are plenty of awesome reviews out there of this deck. Here are some of them.

Black or Gold version of the GyroDec is $7495 ($6995 is for the standard Silver)

A review from Techradar on the SE version from 2011

And here's a page of owners real world experiences of the GyroDec on VinylEngine

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Now available in a Matt White finish. With the white ceramic platter, this finish looks particularly sharp!

Less is more for Rega, less noise, less vibration, less play in the bearings, less mass to store harmful resonance energy, and less ownership dissatisfaction ...

We would recommend the Rega Apheta 3 cartridge with this Turntable. For $1900 the Apheta 3 will come factory fitted on to the deck.

Or go for something that much more special, a Rega Aphelion ($6000). After all, a turntable is only as good as the information it can get from the needle itself.

Another great option is the Van den Hul "The Frog" Cartridge, a remarkable and rare device made by hand in Holland ($3499).

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Based entirely on the GyroDec, but without the costly acrylic plinth and dustcover, the Gyro SE brings the same qualities in a more affordable and compact package. 

This has been an extremely popular turntable a true high fidelity sound. Tightness in the bass, wide soundstage and the ultra low noise required to let the details of the music shine.

 

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