Halfway between a work of art and hi-fi equipment, the Japanese manufacturer presents the Audio-Technica Hotaru turntable. This limited edition attracts attention with its spectacular design and floating magnetic structure. In addition to its unique design, the Hotaru turntable, which means “firefly” in Japanese, incorporates LEDs that enhance its spectacular appearance.
An original but not unprecedented principle
Audio-Technica is not the first manufacturer to use a magnetic levitation platter. Mag Lev experimented with this process in 2019 with the ML1 model. However, this approach remains rare and inevitably arouses curiosity, as the rotation of the platter as it floats in the air reinforces the captivating aspect of the Hotaru record player.
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Indeed, the platter, designed in translucent acrylic, appears to float and rotate thanks to a system of electromagnets. The exact principle is not fully detailed by the Japanese manufacturer, but it is based on a dual magnetic structure: a rotation unit under the platter, connected to the motor by a belt, and a set of magnets integrated into the platter itself. This way, the platter levitates in the air during listening sessions, while the sub-platter is connected to the chassis and tonearm.
An artistic approach
With this project, Audio-Technica is taking an artistic approach, rather than an absolute quest for performance. The very name of the turntable, Hotaru (Japanese for firefly), underlines the importance of the visual experience. The aluminum chassis rests on brass feet, and the carbon tonearm completes the polished look. The objective is clear: to make this record player an aesthetic object.
The other special feature of the Audio-Technica Hotaru is its lighting system. The acrylic platter and sub-platter ensure even distribution of the light emitted by the LEDs integrated into the chassis. Several lighting modes are available, enhancing the device’s spectacular visual appearance.
Audio-Technica Hotaru, an all-in-one turntable
Aesthetics aside, the Hotaru turntable operates autonomously. It houses a phono preamplifier, but also an amplifier that powers the four built-in drivers. Two 63.5mm midbass drivers and two 19mm tweeters are housed in the chassis for a frequency response ranging from 60Hz to 20kHz. This configuration enables close-up listening without the need for a separate audio system. Front-mounted controls include a volume knob and a light mode selector. The Audio-Technica Hotaru also has a stereo RCA line output and an RCA output for subwoofer.
The Hotaru has been produced in a limited edition of just 1000 units. Priced at €9,999, this limited edition is aimed above all at aesthetes, who pay as much attention to the visual design as they do to the sound. More than just a turntable, the Hotaru explores a new, spectacular way of experiencing music. A radical and assertive proposition, which will find its place in the homes of those who love beautiful audio objects.
