Often, it is the tonearm that becomes the weak link in a high-end vinyl analog audio system – so it will never be superfluous to pay attention to this class of components. Our new expert editorial rating contains five of the most impressive High End tonearms for vinyl turntables.
Pros – crystal clear sound
Scheu Analog Cantus 12" is a long tonearm of an extravagant shape and design. The model literally “pumps air by the liters” – at the same time, the single-bearing system with hybrid technology of magnetic and traditional bearings is perfectly balanced (the tungsten counterweight with a suspended structure is controlled literally “with one hand”). Finally, in the design of tonearms, someone was not afraid to go against the accepted patterns.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Cantus 12"
Type
Unipivot
Effective mass (g)
N/A
Effective length (mm)
307.5
Cartridge Balance range (g)
N/A
Offset angle (deg)
N/A
Overhang (mm)
14
Weight (g)
N/A
Official link
Pros – German precision in everything
9” Clearaudio Profiler is a tonearm with a double gimbal suspension, which guarantees reference tracking and the signature meticulous sound with a lot of details. Made of aluminum and stainless steel, equipped with bearings with sapphire and steel balls, this component is literally made “for centuries”. And it is ready to work with very expensive turntables – without fading against their background.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Profiler 9”
Type
Gimbal
Effective mass (g)
N/A
Effective length (mm)
239.58
Cartridge Balance range (g)
3.5 - 17
Offset angle (deg)
N/A
Overhang (mm)
17.58
Weight (g)
510
Official link
Pros – deep bass, good timbre picture
Acoustic Solid WTB 313 is a precision long tonearm with a very large tolerance for effective mass – from 8 to 25 g. The model is made to the highest standard, like an “Rolex” watch, here you can examine every detail for a long time and enjoy the engineering skill of the creators. Continued sound and form - with thunderous bass, verified mids and brilliant highs.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
WTB 313 12"
Type
Gimbal
Effective mass (g)
N/A
Effective length (mm)
302.9
Cartridge Balance range (g)
8 – 25
Offset angle (deg)
N/A
Overhang (mm)
30
Weight (g)
450
Official link
Pros - "tomorrow's" design, sound with brilliance
The mid-weight Acoustic Signature TA-7000 NEO belongs to the High End level and guarantees a rich textured sound with charm and brilliance. The model uses custom-made "aerospace" bearings, tapered carbon fiber tube with a lightweight support structure and compound; all elements are verified and perfectly optimized for the best result.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
TA-7000 NEO 12"
Type
Gimbal
Effective mass (g)
N/A
Effective length (mm)
309
Cartridge Balance range (g)
N/A
Offset angle (deg)
N/A
Overhang (mm)
13.2
Weight (g)
687
Official link
Pros – tangential and air suspension, and that says it all
Bergmann Odin accumulates two proprietary approaches - a tangential design that eliminates angular errors, and an air bearing that minimizes friction. Made of aluminum and carbon, equipped with an external air pump, Bergmann Odin literally grabs the stars from the sky in terms of performance quality.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Odin
Type
Tangential
Effective mass (g)
14
Effective length (mm)
N/A
Cartridge Balance range (g)
N/A
Offset angle (deg)
N/A
Overhang (mm)
N/A
Weight (g)
1.18 + 5.7 (air pump)
Official link
Choosing a phono preamplifier for vinyl is always a difficult task. It is not for nothing that they say that even a high-quality turntable, tonearm and cartridge can be ruined by the wrong selection of a correction module. Well, we have selected for you a rating and hit parade of new products on the phono preamplifier market.
So, we choose the newest and most modern digital-to-analog converters. The rating of the seven most interesting models for "digital", as usual, is sorted in order of increasing cost, so that everyone can find a DAC to their taste and wallet.
The summer season of 2025 pleased us with a sufficient number of new audio equipment – especially in the turntable market. So, the editors have prepared for you a rating of the seven most interesting models for playing records
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