We suspect more than a few heads will be turned in Munich with the launch of the AVID Acutus Dark Iron, its first new turntable in six years and the first to benefit from a pivotal new integrated motor design.
Having recently secured North American distribution through Focal Naim America, this new deck is likely to show up in more than a few dealer showrooms and we rather like the Dark Lord of the Sith aesthetic. AVID has always made rather high performance turntables and this one is likely to compete with comparable tables from VPI, Kuzma, and Clearaudio in the same price range.
Acutus Dark Iron Turntable
Designed, engineered and hand built in Cambridgeshire, England, the Acutus Dark Iron directly replaces its predecessor, the Acutus Dark Limited Edition. Following customer demand, AVID has introduced a striking new darker ‘sparkling iron’ finish which significantly reduces the cost compared to the labor-intensive chrome-finish Acutus models.
Key to the Acutus Dark Iron is a new motor system, which sees the motor coupled to the main chassis. The new design maintains correct drive-belt alignment, even when the turntable is levelled using the adjustable feet, and eliminates speed-related issues.
The motor system enhances operational smoothness while ensuring precise belt alignment. With a high-torque AC synchronous motor providing tenfold increase in power over competitive turntables, it delivers improved control and stability, too.
Utilizing twin round-section drive belts, AVID’s design allows free suspension movement without speed fluctuations. The power supply, employing DSP technology, independently generates frequency for precise speed adjustment. Equipped with an 80 VA mains transformer, it functions as an integrated amplifier tailored for the high-torque motor.
High-mass platter and upgradable mat
The turntable features a hefty 10 kg aluminium platter, topped with a 10 mm damping disc and a TMShrunk felt-composite mat. Buyers can upgrade to AVID’s precision resin mat, enhancing vibration transfer through the grounding clamp for superior sound quality.
The platter sits upon an inverted bearing design which lowers the centre of gravity, where a tungsten carbide ball meets a sapphire jewel, eliminating lateral movement and rumble noise. A self-lubricating sleeve ensures silent, maintenance-free operation.
Upgradable clamp
The supplied AVID single-action clamp, which is precision-machined from solid aluminium, flattens records onto the platter, channelling vibrations to the sub-chassis to reduce noise. AVID offers a dual-operation upgrade for greater control over varying record thicknesses, eliminating warps and air pockets for seamless record-platter connection.
Sub-chassis
The Acutus Dark Iron’s one-piece multi-fold aluminium casting offers strength with controlled movement. Coated with damping media, it neutralises vibrations, ensuring a linear and time-sensitive sound response. This coupled to a suspension system that ensures equal tuning for perfect balance with its 2.5 Hz isolation frequency preventing skipping and eliminating external vibrations.
Price & Availability
The Acutus Dark Iron is available to order now from AVID retailers at the following prices:
- Acutus Dark Iron turntable with mat and clamp upgrade: $17,000 (£12,950/€15,000)
- Acutus Dark Iron turntable: $13,000 (£10,000/€12,000)
- Mat upgrade alone: $4,000 (£3,000/€3,500)
- Clamp upgrade alone: $700 (£500/€600)
Acutus Dark Iron buyers can access discounts on AVID’s range of tonearms and cartridges, plus the mat and clamp upgrade, when ordered with the turntable.
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ORT
May 1, 2024 at 10:27 pm
Reduced to $17,000? Oh Frabjous Day! Calloooh! Callay!
From a somewhat ORTish point of view I think this ‘table will either turn people away, turn their stomachs or both.
They should rename it to “Locutus” which is ancient Latin for “Spoke”. Might I also suggest a surname for this…this, thing?
Locutus alvum motus. Why? Because…Turpis ut patera alvum motus.
Of course one could make the argument that since I do not possess either a sense of smell or taste I am in no position to criticize this pile of doody.
I know what those with even a modicum of a sense of humor are thinking.
“That’s Latin, darlin’, evidently Mr. RingORT here’s an educated man. Now I really hate him.”
Talk about acutus locutus.
Johnny RingORT
Ian White
May 2, 2024 at 1:12 am
ORT,
Might be a very fine deck. Or not.
I would go for the Kuzma at that price for its wood finish and superior tonearm.
IW
ORT
May 2, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Ian, true and well said. Being a very “Shallow Hal” I often have great difficulty with stuff that I do not find visually attractive.
I know this ‘table probably plays records superbly and there may well be some “sour grapes” in my thoughts regarding it. The Kuzma Stabi Ref 2 is a far more loverly ‘table to me than the Acutus shown here.
I can not afford either one but that does not mean both ‘tables are not an excellent choice for those less cynical (and financially able!) than I, i.e., the entire known World.
ORT