Argon Audio launches its first direct-drive turntable

Argon Audio has introduced its first direct-drive turntable. The Argon Audio AURORA uses a brushless motor with quartz-controlled speed regulation and is available to order for delivery within the EU at €1,299.

The motor has an eight-pole coil structure, while the bearing system is acoustically decoupled from it. The platter bearing uses a brass sleeve with a thrust pad. Playback speeds are 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm, with a suitable cartridge required for 78 rpm records. Specified rotation-speed variation is ±0.2%, with wow and flutter of no more than 0.10% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB.

An S-shaped, statically balanced aluminium tonearm uses a standard SME headshell mount and incorporates Argon Audio's patented Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer (ATS) technology. Height adjustment allows the vertical tracking angle to be set, and the arm has an effective length of 9.17 inches and an effective mass of 20 g. The supplied pickup combines the cartridge and headshell in one assembly. It accepts all Ortofon Concorde Music-series replacement styluses.

The deck is built around a 55 mm-thick MDF plinth. Its 1.4 kg aluminium platter incorporates rubber damping, and the feet are individually height-adjustable and vibration-damping. A dust cover and rubber slip mat are supplied, along with RCA and power cables.

The turntable provides a wired RCA audio connection and has an internal power supply. Its platter stops automatically at the end of a record. A power-saving function activates after 20 minutes of inactivity.