Munich HIGH END Show Report 2016

High End Society Munich Germany



Acoustical Systems Apolyt €260,000 Turntable

A re you asking yourself how to blow through €260,000 on a single high-end audio product? If so, then the Acoustical Systems Apolyt turntable might be just what you're looking for. With a platter weight of 58 kg and chassis weight of 188 kg, that's just over 540 lbs in total. But wait, there's more! The two motors weight in at 26 kg, the power supply is 38 kg for a grand total of 388 kbs, which is nearly 850 lbs!

Are you asking yourself how to blow through 260,000 euro on a single high-end audio product? If so, then the Acoustical Systems Apolyt turntable might be just what you're looking for. With a platter weight of 58 kg and chassis weight of 188 kg, that's just over 540 lbs in total. But wait, there's more! The two motors weight in at 26 kg, the power supply is 38 kg and so overall weight of the Acoustical Systems Apolyt turntable is 388 kg, which is just a touch over 850 lbs. It comes delivery in eight flight cases. Overall dimensions are 108 cm x 69 cm x 128 cm (WxDxH).

With all this mass, you can expect a low wow & flutter of below 0.01%. Though for all this money, it is curious why only 33.3 and 45 rpm speeds are provided when 78 would seem like a natural addition. The drive unit is on a unique balanced shaft transmission drive with dynamic torque management. Good news is that you may choose 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 arm bases and there is an adjustable air flow and air pressure for an optional air-bearing tonearm.

Another good feature that is included is automatic leveling. Optional are two shelves for incorporated a phonostage / line stage that are isolated within the air spring frame. This complete plinth and optional integrated rack suspended on true air-spring-induction-field has a resonance frequency below 0.5Hz. The rotational platter speed is quartz controlled and user adjustable +/- 5%.

So how much weight are we truly talking about? There is a platter inertia 38x of Micro Seiki SX-8000 platter. Acoustical Systems' Apolyt compound platter features energy transfer and internal liquid dampening. Of note is that center of platter mass is identical with plane of bearing/rotation for what the company feels is a perfect resting mass principle. Compound arm bases have identical energy transfer concept as platter. The motor-drive is powered by a custom amplifier and optional pure DC-power supply (battery sourced with automatic recharging and automatic redundant AC-power supply).

So you think for 260,000 euro you'd get a fully-loaded turntable? Nope, as optional additional speeds of 16.66 and 78 rpm, optional wooden veneer or smoked glass side panels (detachable), optional rack front cover choice of prime wood veneer or smoked glass and an acrylic dust cover. Lovers of gold rejoice as for an upcharge you can have 24kt plating or polished chrome finish on selected parts (frame and dome caps).