Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Big, weighty, dynamic—yet open—sound
  • Very low noise floor
  • Easy to set up and stays set up
  • Suspension is immune to the vagaries of positioning

Product Considerations

  • Chrome plated elements require frequent cleaning
  • The clamp is mandatory, as the cone in the middle is higher than the rest of the platter, so the disc needs to be clamped
  • Potential damage to the bearing when installing or removing the platter, requiring care

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Ref SP reminds one of a combination of the Rega P9 and the SME 30
  • Compared to the Bergmann Sindre, the Avid was closer to turntables like the SME 30

Takeaway: The Avid Hifi Acutus Reference SP turntable combines great build quality, simple setup, and excellent sound in a great package. It provides an enjoyable analog experience that is worth auditioning.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

Compared to their other products

We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.

Ingenium-turntable  

  • Positioning: The entry-level model aimed at budget-conscious users.  
  • Description: Offers a reliable belt drive mechanism and basic isolation features that help deliver clear sound in smaller rooms. In comparison to the other models, it provides essential performance without advanced engineering details for those who need simple functionality at a lower cost.

Diva-II-SP-turntable  

  • Positioning: A mid-range model that builds on the entry-level design with enhanced mechanical features.  
  • Description: Introduces an improved suspension system and refined tonearm design that help boost tracking precision and stability over the Ingenium. Compared to other products in the lineup, it offers a balanced step up in engineering for medium-sized setups.

Volvere-turntable  

  • Positioning: A mid-to-high tier option focused on greater mechanical stability and refined performance.  
  • Description: Uses an upgraded motor control and enhanced isolation measures that result in steadier operation and improved sound reproduction. In contrast to the Ingenium and Diva-II-SP models, its superior build quality and technical improvements suit buyers looking for a noticeable upgrade in performance and precision.

Acutus-reference  

  • Positioning: A high-end reference model designed for dedicated audiophile listening environments.  
  • Description: Features precision machining and an innovative motor system that markedly reduce vibration and enhance accurate tracking, setting it apart from the lower-tier products. Compared to the Ingenium, Diva-II-SP, and Volvere models, it offers advanced isolation and refined control.

Acutus-reference-mono  

  • Positioning: The flagship model with the highest level of engineering refinement in the lineup.  
  • Description: Features a bespoke mono-block design that significantly improves channel separation and minimizes interference, distinguishing it from all other models. Compared to the Acutus-reference and the rest of the range, it provides the most sophisticated circuitry and tonearm system.
See all the brand's products

Read the reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer's notes

Instantly recognizable, the luxurious chrome finish and muscular appearance make the Acutus more than a timeless icon, it's a striking piece of audiophile art. Setting you on a compulsive journey of musical rediscovery, so startling is the naturalness and intimacy of the sound, it truly enters your space and deep into your soul, leaving you reaching for the next record.
Instantly recognizable, the luxurious chrome finish and muscular appearance make the Acutus more than a timeless icon, it's a striking piece of audiophile art.

Setting you on a compulsive journey of musical rediscovery, so startling is the naturalness and intimacy of the sound, it truly enters your space and deep into your soul, leaving you reaching for the next record.

ultimate experience

Available in three tiers, with the Reference Mono standing as the pinnacle of performance, this product unabashedly presents itself as a luxurious indulgence, providing uncompromised excellence in vinyl reproduction without concern for cost.

Establishing a benchmark for musical reproduction that serves as an aspiration for others to attain, this product stands as the ultimate engineering masterpiece, crafted for individuals seeking the absolute pinnacle of the listening experience.

Beyond Imagination

When seeking perfection, power is everything and the Mono is in a class of its own. The sonic gains are not a subtle subjective difference, but an immediately obvious improvement in all aspects that goes way beyond any expectation of what you thought possible from a vinyl record.

DRIVE:

TWIN BELT DRIVE

SPEEDS:

33.3 & 45.0RPM

PLATTER MASS:

ALUMINIUM 10KG

BEARING:

INVERTED STAINLESS STEEL

THRUST POINT:

TUNGSTEN CARBIDE/SAPPHIRE

SUSPENSION:

3 POINT SPRING Vertical 2.5Hz, Lateral 4.5Hz

TONEARM FITTING:

SME TEMPLATE

ADAPTERS AVAILABLE:

YES: SINGLE OR TWIN TONEARMS

MOTOR:

HAND BUILT 24V 140mNm AC Synchronous

POWER SUPPLY:

DSP VARI-SPEED CONTROL UNIT

VOLTAGE INPUT:

100-240VAC 50/60Hz 20 Watts Max.

DIMENSIONS:

Turntable (overall) 460 x 400 x 210mm (WxDxH)

Turntable (footprint) 410 x 360mm (WxD)

P.S.U. 500 x 450 x 240mm (WxDxH)

NET WEIGHT:

19.0Kg (42lb) turntable only

52.0Kg (115lb) psu only

Visit Manufacturer Site
Avid Hifiavidhifi.com
Average Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used Products
2
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
60
 of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
32
Founded
1995

Our take on the brand

AVID Hifi is a brand known for its turntables featuring unique engineering like sapphire bearings and dual-stage clamping systems that improve bass grip and soundstage projection. The brand's design philosophy involves developing technology in their high-end models and then adapting it for more affordable products, with their components made from solid aluminum and speakers weighing 100kg for exceptional build quality.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Most data on ExtremeHiFi is proprietary—researched and reviewed after thousands of hours of loving labor. We archive our site's data and its pages on Archive.org and take legal action against those repurposing the data. We also fingerprint data to know when text and numbers came from us first.
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What if you spend a bit more?

Reference Line
48000
48000
/
3
Reviews
J.Sikora
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Check on Amazon
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exceptionally well-made with a 'boutique' manufacturer quality matching best mass-loaders
  • Operates with an extremely low noise floor, and is ultra-quiet
  • Offers a stable and precise sound reproduction, extracting maximum information from recordings
  • Presents powerful and distinct treble and bass, with no roll-off, rounding or softening
  • Delivers a large-scale, rich, smooth, precise, and energetic performance with impressive dynamics

Product Considerations

  • The loose and sloppy interface between the disc and the threaded stub was criticized
  • The Reference doesn't have the same grandeur—the sheer sweep that more expensive turntables deliver
  • Opinions were strongly polarized, and nobody was left unmoved by this turntable's aesthetics

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The reference turntable built on the Standard's strengths to offer a much more formidable sonic presentation
  • These two offer similar tonal balance, similar way of sound articulation, but the Reference delivers even deeper bass and renders larger phantom images, while the Air Force Two seemed more resolving

Takeaway: The J.Sikora Reference is a top-tier turntable offering stable, precise, and energetic sound, making it a great choice for audiophiles who value extracting maximum detail from their vinyl collection. Its exceptional build quality and performance make it a standout product in the high-end audio market

Video review

Our take on the brand

J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit our
Reference Line
page
Product Page
Titan Direct
60000
60000
/
1
Reviews
VPI
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Check on Amazon
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Accurate and precise reproduction allows for hours of non-stop playing
  • Combines the strengths of both solid high mass tables and suspension tables, without sharing any of the weaknesses
  • Soundstage and solidity of 3-D images is exceptional
  • Offers chameleon-like flexibility, allowing for different tonalities depending on tonearm, cartridge, and drive mechanism combinations
  • Equipped with one of the best speed controllers, the VPI ADS, resulting in very low Wow & Flutter measurements

Product Considerations

  • The reviewer experimented with different configurations to find the most suitable one for their music
  • Changing over to the Belt Drive requires disassembling the top platter
  • Careful attention must be paid to ensure proper tension on the three rubber belts in the Belt Drive
  • Overall tonality is richer and warmer sounding end of the spectrum than neutral, which may not be for everyone

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Titan has a different design implementation and material quality with a much larger magnet than JC Verdier La Platine and DaVinci Audio's Gabriel turntable & Clearaudio's Master Innovation, increasing speed stability
  • Titan sits firmly on a frame with a much wider footprint than JC Verdier, providing far superior stability
  • Titan achieves the same open and airy harp sounds as Oracle V with a much quieter background
  • Titan's midrange tonality of the mass strings is as rich—as warm and as textured as Nottingham 294 and TW-Acustic Raven AC (with Black Knight Platter)
  • The Titan blossoms in the mid-range regardless of the tonearm, cartridge combination of choice, unlike the VPI HR-X which can be brighter than neutral

Takeaway: The VPI Titan turntable offers incredibly realistic sound reproduction with flexibility in sound based on configuration, offering a satisfying listening experience. This turntable is for serious audiophiles looking for top-of-the-line analog equipment.

Video review

Our take on the brand

VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit our
Titan Direct
page
Product Page

What else competes at this price?

Avenger Direct
36000
/
Released
2022
VPI
Based on our known design of the Avenger Tripod Chassis, the Avenger Direct takes our Direct Drive technology and marries it with our Avenger Series. The Avenger design has always been known as a "sandbox" type of design giving the owner the ability to mount up to 3 arms at any length or manufacturer model.
Check on Amazon
VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Exceptional build quality and design, utilizing materials like acrylic, stainless steel, and aluminum, contribute to an inert structure
  • The direct drive motor ensures accurate speed control, with feedback loops monitoring platter rotation
  • Designed with three support posts, the Avenger Direct can accommodate up to three tonearms of various sizes and from different manufacturers
  • A 3-point isolation system with adjustable feet provides excellent isolation from external vibrations in both vertical and horizontal axes
  • Despite its high-end nature, the Avenger Direct is easy to set up and operate

Product Considerations

  • The Avenger Direct is a significant investment, placing it in 'turntable grail territory'
  • With a single tonearm arrangement, the tonearm feels further to the back of the deck than one might get from a larger chassis
  • The Avenger Direct's sonic characteristics may benefit from careful cartridge selection

Takeaway: The VPI Avenger Direct is a top-tier turntable offering exceptional build quality, precise speed control, and versatile tonearm options. Its robust engineering and ease of use provide a rewarding listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

VPI is known for its high-end, American-made turntables. They stand out for their use of 3D printing in tonearm design, creating one-piece structures that enhance sound quality, and their unique unipivot tonearm design that balances on a single point for precise sound reproduction.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
Avenger Direct
Page
Product Page
Klimax LP12
30970
/
Released
2021
Linn
With Klimax LP12, you'll experience your favourite albums – both cherished classics and those freshly unwrapped – as if it were for the first time. The latest iteration of our reference turntable, Klimax LP12, produces an even more musical, pitch-perfect performance. This is thanks to our latest, hyper-accurate speed management technology, whisper-quiet power supply, and cutting-edge motor design; and also to the level of fidelity achieved following our team's extensive experiments in material science – culminating in the breakthrough that is our all-new flagship cartridge.
Check on Amazon
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Capable of an informative, dynamic and exciting presentation
  • Sensational dynamics and surefooted with rhythms
  • Excellent build and finish with carefully honed engineering
  • Lowest noise floor of any vinyl setup
  • Delivers a sound of huge scale and power

Product Considerations

  • Expensive
  • Installation requires a certified, trained LP12 specialist
  • Some may find the presentation tonally lean

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Luxman EQ-500: Klimax lacks natural warmth and spaciousness, preferring a more forward presentation, but renders the sound with more precision and agility
  • Vs LP12 Akurate: The Linn LP12 Klimax has even lower noise floor
  • Vs LP12 Majik: The Linn LP12 Klimax is very unique, smooth, more lively and more appealing with deep bass and extreme high-end air

Takeaway: The Klimax LP12 is a top-tier turntable delivering exceptional sonic performance and a very enjoyable listening experience. It represents the pinnacle of Linn's turntable technology.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
Klimax LP12
Page
Product Page
Standard Max Supreme
32796
/
Released
2024
J.Sikora
The J.Sikora company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. On this occasion, we have prepared a special product line for the anniversary year. In 2009, the founder, Janusz Sikora, completed the design of his first turntable. It was the progenitor of the current Standard Max model.
Check on Amazon
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable brings music in an unbelievably 'laid back' way
  • It delivers a precise, open, very resolving treble
  • The turntable suppresses pops & cracks and other distortion
  • The sound is velvety, deep and almost warm

Product Considerations

  • The bass is somewhat soft

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs TechDAS Air Force One—the Standard Max Supreme plays with less freedom and three-dimensionality
  • Vs SME 20/3A—the Standard Max Supreme is less precise and open
  • Vs Rega Naia—the Standard Max Supreme is not as effortlessly playing
  • Vs Kuzma Stabi XL—the Standard Max Supreme has a deepening of the sound that is comparable

Takeaway: The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable is a top hifi product that offers a quiet and natural sound, allowing one to focus on the music. It is designed to work well with all types of records, regardless of their condition.

Video review

Our take on the brand

J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
Standard Max Supreme
Page
Product Page

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Big, weighty, dynamic—yet open—sound
  • Very low noise floor
  • Easy to set up and stays set up
  • Suspension is immune to the vagaries of positioning

Product Considerations

  • Chrome plated elements require frequent cleaning
  • The clamp is mandatory, as the cone in the middle is higher than the rest of the platter, so the disc needs to be clamped
  • Potential damage to the bearing when installing or removing the platter, requiring care

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Ref SP reminds one of a combination of the Rega P9 and the SME 30
  • Compared to the Bergmann Sindre, the Avid was closer to turntables like the SME 30

Takeaway: The Avid Hifi Acutus Reference SP turntable combines great build quality, simple setup, and excellent sound in a great package. It provides an enjoyable analog experience that is worth auditioning.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

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