In this article:
| Heavy is the head that wears the crown |
| The Acutus Dark Iron |
| Features and Specifications |
| Buying Advice |
Money no object, and for good reason. The latest turntable from Avid, the Acutus Dark Iron, is a luxury item that's sure to impress even the most discerning audiophile.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown
British founded-owned-and-run analogue hi-fi manufacturer, Avid, has launched the Acutus Dark Iron, its first new turntable in six years and the first to feature a new integrated motor design. This handmade turntable is crafted in Cambridgeshire, England, and boasts a striking new darker ‘Sparkling Iron' finish.
The Acutus Dark Iron
This high-end turntable features a new motor system coupled to the main chassis, ensuring correct drive-belt alignment even when the turntable is levelled using its adjustable feet. The high-torque AC synchronous motor boasts a “tenfold increase in power over competitive turntables”, according to its makers, and because it sports twin round-section drive belts, speed fluctuations shouldn't be an issue either.
Features and Specifications
- 10kg aluminium platter with a 10mm damping disc and a felt-composite mat
- Inverted bearing design with a tungsten carbide ball and a sapphire jewel
- Self-lubricating sleeve for “silent, maintenance-free operation”
- Supplied Avid single-action clamp precision-machined from solid aluminium
- Dual-operation upgrade available for greater control over varying record thicknesses
Buying Advice
The Acutus Dark Iron is available to order now from Avid retailers, priced $13,000 / £10,000 / €12,000 (which is around AU$19,250). If you're looking to upgrade, the mat upgrade is $4,000 / £3,000 / €3,500 (so approximately AU$7,700) and the clamp upgrade is $700 / £500 / €600 (in the region of AU$960) – so you're looking at $17,700 or £13,500 for the fully souped-up offering.
Looking for a similar high-end turntable? Check out the Pro-Ject Audio Systems Xtension 10 or the Sony PS-LX310BT Belt Drive Turntable.
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