Overview
Never before has so much intellectual effort been dedicated to the art of analog playback. Apollo by Gryphon represents the pinnacle of a unique collaboration between Soren Slebo of The Gryphon Design Team, turntable visionary Helmut Brinkmann, cartridge expert Ortofon, and the Aarhus Technical Institute. This is not merely a turntable; it is a landmark achievement in the evolution of High-End Audio.
Crafting the ultimate analog playback system required the expertise of the world’s most celebrated turntable designer: Helmut Brinkmann, often referred to as the Stradivarius of turntable design. For over four decades, Brinkmann’s creations have been lauded for their exceptional craftsmanship, aesthetic elegance, and, most importantly, their lifelike sound reproduction. With Apollo, Brinkmann was afforded the rare opportunity to design his dream turntable without any financial constraints, resulting in a masterpiece of uncompromised innovation.
The Drive
Apollo employs two proprietary, hand-built Sinus™ Belt Drive Motors positioned 180 degrees apart, flanking its robust platter. This dual-motor configuration enhances torque, minimizes “cogging,” and reduces stress on individual motors. However, achieving the precision needed for such a design presented significant challenges. Apollo is Brinkmann’s first multi-motor turntable and the first to feature his digitally controlled speed management system. This groundbreaking controller surpasses analog equivalents in accuracy, requires no calibration, and synchronizes both motors seamlessly. Additionally, Brinkmann’s refined “soft” motor control techniques—perfected over decades—set Apollo apart from other turntables.
Apollo’s power system is based on Brinkmann’s third-generation RöNt technology, featuring the proprietary BZ 34 “Tube Rectifier Simulator.” Replacing vacuum tubes with advanced semiconductors, this bespoke power supply delivers higher current to optimally drive the dual motors. It also includes a dedicated transformer to independently power the bearing heater and platter light, ensuring superior performance.
Industrial Design
Gryphon’s Soren Slebo conceived Apollo’s industrial design, merging aesthetic beauty with structural rigidity and advanced resonance control. The chassis employs a laminated “sandwich” construction of anodized aluminum, Kerrock, and “Smart Stack,” a damping material patented by Denmark’s MENETA Group. The turntable’s substantial mass rests on four solid, adjustable spikes, while the motors are decoupled from the chassis and mounted on separate subassemblies to eliminate vibrations.
The Ultimate Analog System
Each component of the Apollo system—turntable, tonearm, and cartridge—has been purpose-designed to function in perfect harmony. This integrated approach, combined with the expertise of leading designers and unparalleled manufacturing precision, has resulted in an analog playback system that redefines the possibilities of High-End Audio. Apollo exemplifies the synergy of its state-of-the-art elements, delivering a performance that transcends its individual components.
