Argon Audio is expanding its series of turntables with the Aurora, its first direct-drive model. This new manual turntable combines a brushless motor, an aluminum platter, and an S-shaped tonearm featuring ATS technology. It also features an Ortofon Concorde Music Blue cartridge and a built-in MM phono preamp. Priced at €1,299, the Argon Audio Aurora combines reliability with ease of use.
Argon Audio Aurora: key features
- Manual direct-drive turntable
- Playback speeds: 33, 45, and 78 rpm
- Ortofon Concorde Music Blue cartridge (MM)
- 1.4 kg aluminum platter
- Aluminum S-shaped tonearm
- Switchable phono preamp
- Price: €1,299
A direct-drive system with quartz control
The Argon Aurora turntable is the Danish brand’s first model to feature a direct-drive system. Its low-torque brushless motor directly drives the platter and is mounted on an eight-pole structure. This design ensures smooth rotation while minimizing the number of intermediate mechanical parts. A quartz-controlled regulation system helps maintain speed stability, while the motor’s design reduces the jolts associated with cogging. As a mark of quality, the stated tracking error and flicker remain below 0.10%.
Moreover, the Scandinavian manufacturer’s new manual turntable supports 33, 45, and 78 RPM records, with a selection option accessible via a dedicated control. In addition, the bearing system features acoustic isolation from the motor to minimize the transmission of vibrations to the platter.
The latter features a rubber-damped aluminum frame and weighs 1.4 kg. Its inertia promotes smooth rotation. Argon Audio integrates it into a cutout in the chassis and adds a thick rubber slip mat to further control resonance.
Solid chassis and S-shaped tonearm with ATS technology
The base of the Argon Aurora turntable rests on a 55mm-thick MDF chassis. This substantial mass reduces its susceptibility to receiving vibrations from its surroundings. The shock-absorbing feet ensure decoupling from the furniture, and their adjustable height makes it easy to level the turntable on an uneven surface.
For its part, the S-shaped tonearm features an aluminum construction and operates on the principle of static balance. It measures 23.3 cm, weighs 20 g, and features VTA adjustment at its base. The VTA, or vertical tracking angle, allows you to adjust the height of the tonearm to get the most out of the cartridge.
The Danish manufacturer also incorporates its ATS technology, which stands for Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer. This technology uses a thin slot beneath the tonearm to dampen internal resonance caused by torsion. This solution is designed to reduce vibrations that could interfere with the cartridge’s tracking.
An Ortofon Concorde Music Blue cartridge
The new Argon Audio Aurora turntable is equipped with an Ortofon Concorde Music Blue moving-magnet (MM) cartridge, chosen for its compatibility with the S-shaped tonearm. Its design combines the cartridge and the headshell in a single unit and uses a bayonet connector. This allows the cartridge to be changed directly on the tonearm.
The Concorde Music Blue features a nude elliptical stylus mounted on an aluminum cantilever. It also incorporates a quad-coil pickup system with split pole pins. This design allows the cartridge to achieve a more linear frequency response. Specifically, the four coils are used here to reproduce the left and right channel signals separately with greater precision, while the split pole pins help better control the cartridge’s electromagnetic behavior.
Built-in phono preamplifier
The Argon Aurora features a switchable MM phono preamp, allowing for future upgrades. It can be connected directly to a line input on an amplifier or a pair of active speakers. The phono circuit can also be disabled to use a phono input or an external preamplifier. Argon Audio offers two finishes: walnut veneer and matte black.
In summary
With the launch of the Aurora turntable, Argon Audio is introducing direct drive to its turntable lineup for the first time. This model retains the design principles that characterize the Danish brand’s turntables, featuring a switchable preamp, a solid chassis, an aluminum tonearm equipped with ATS technology, and special attention paid to vibration control. The direct-drive system ensures stable and consistent rotation, supported by quartz-controlled speed regulation.
