AVID Hifi Acutus Reference Turntable

AVID Hifi Acutus Reference Turntable

The Reference model offers more than just a subjective improvement over the Classic; it delivers a noticeable reduction in the noise floor, enhanced bass and treble extensions, and a significant dynamic boost. The Reference power supply is a striking piece of engineering, complementing the Acutus's mechanical perfection. Like a luxury sports car, the drive motor combines power with smooth refinement, unveiling performances with unparalleled clarity that transport you to the recording environment, revealing every detail of the performance.

• Reference 25kg Power Supply
• Unique Sapphire Bearing
• Dual Stage Clamping System
• Vibration Tuned Subchassis
• Frequency Adjustable Suspension

Power Supply
The turntable power supply is a critical component, working in conjunction with the motor to dramatically improve sound quality. The basic Classic PSU is upgraded with a 1000VA mains transformer, coupled with more than 160,000uF of electrical storage capacity. This results in sonic improvements that leave many in disbelief.

Motor
The hand-assembled high torque AC synchronous motor spins the platter up to speed within seconds. Ten times more powerful than conventional turntable motors, it provides ultimate control and stability. With twin round-section drive belts, the suspension moves freely without inducing speed variations common with flat belt designs.

Clamp
The unique dual operation clamp is a critical element in achieving superior sonic performance.
First, it grounds the record to the main bearing, allowing vibration caused by the stylus to pass into the subchassis, reducing the noise floor and improving sound quality.
Second, it reflex clamps the vinyl flat to the platter surface, eliminating warps and air pockets underneath. The platter mat is a unique resin that reflects most vibration, keeping it in the record so it passes more quickly through the bearing into the subchassis.

Platter
The 10kg chrome-plated aluminium platter is the focal point of the turntable. Secured with eight fixings, the 10mm aluminium disc, with a cast and machined resin mat, offers the perfect record interface. The mat reflects most vibrations except for very high frequencies, which are rapidly constrained and damped by the nickel and chrome layers.

Bearing
The turntable features the lengthiest bearing spindle within the range. The spindle is meticulously press-fitted into the subchassis, securing it firmly in place. The innovative inverted design situates the contact point at the pinnacle, giving the bearing a low center of gravity.
At the upper end of the precisely ground and tapered spindle, a tungsten carbide ball contacts a specially designed sapphire jewel. This pairing establishes a fixed bearing point, eliminating lateral movement and reducing rumble noise.
Additionally, the self-lubricating sleeve ensures there's no direct metal-to-metal interaction, making the bearing exceptionally silent and maintenance-free for its entire lifespan.

Subchassis
To maintain sound quality, the tonearm and bearing must be rigidly coupled; any relative movement results in lost information. The unique one-piece multi-fold aluminium casting provides maximum strength where needed but allows movement in non-critical areas.
To eliminate vibration from the record passed through the bearing, the casting is coated with a damping media of specific thickness, ensuring both high and low frequencies dissipate in a linear manner, producing a neutral sound.

Suspension
The adjustable suspension system allows each supporting spring to be tuned to the same frequency regardless of the load. This means that either a single or twin tonearm weight of up to 3kg can be accommodated, with the suspension perfectly balanced. With an isolation frequency of 2.5Hz, the pickup cartridge remains stable, locked into position with all external vibrations eliminated.

Specification

Drive: Twin Belt Drive
Speeds: 33.3 & 45.0 RPM (Adjustable)
Platter Mass: Aluminium 10kg
Bearing: Inverted Stainless Steel
Thrust Point: Tungsten Carbide/Sapphire
Suspension: 3 Point Spring Vertical 2.5Hz, Lateral 4.5Hz
Tonearm Fitting: SME Template
Adapters Available: Yes: Single or Twin Tonearms
Motor: Hand Built 24V 140mNm AC Synchronous
Power Supply: DSP Vari-Speed Control Unit
Voltage Input: 100-240VAC 50/60Hz 20 Watts Max.
Dimensions: Turntable (Overall) 460 x 400 x 210mm (WxDxH), Turntable (Footprint) 410 x 360mm (WxD), P.S.U. 415 x 350 x 140mm (WxDxH)
Net Weight: 19.0kg Turntable Only, 20.1kg PSU Only