Tonearms — AVID ALTUS V2

The Altus V2 is a hand-built gimbal tonearm from AVID HiFi, the British turntable maker whose catalogue also includes the Nexus V2 arm. AVID describes the Altus as a design that inherits several features from the more costly Nexus, above all the micron-tolerance bearings and the adjustable progressive bias system, while using a simpler aluminium construction. The UK list price is GBP 1,650, and the Dutch price is EUR 1,800 including VAT.

Key specs that matter

Effective length is 233 mm and the mounting distance is 216 mm, with an offset angle of 23 degrees and an overhang of 17 mm. AVID classes the effective mass as medium and publishes a value of 15 g. The complete arm weighs 680 g. Signal leaves the base through a detachable 5-pin DIN socket, and the supplied 1.3 m lead ends in RCA plugs as standard, with a fully balanced XLR termination offered as an option.

Engineering and use context

Aluminium with a 2 mm wall forms the tube, a choice made to hold the cartridge firmly and to carry vibration away from the stylus rather than letting it circulate. The headshell is laser cut from solid aluminium and deliberately has no lightening holes. Its ball race bearings are assembled by hand, individually tested and machined to micron limits to keep friction low. The bias mechanism is progressive, meaning its force rises gradually as the stylus moves towards the centre of the record, and a reference dot on the dial gives a starting point for adjustment. Unlike the Nexus, the Altus has no VTA ring - the arm height is set by sliding the pillar and locking it with a single hex nut on the side of the base. Internal wiring runs continuously through the arm, so headshell leads cannot be exchanged, but the DIN and RCA connectors and the cable grade are the same as on the Nexus.

Pairing

The mounting distance defines where the Altus V2 must be drilled, and AVID Acutus decks accept arms through their SME-template fitting with adapters for single or twin arms. The medium mass points to moving coil and moving magnet cartridges of low to medium compliance. Phono stages with balanced inputs can take advantage of the optional XLR lead.

Alternatives

The AVID Nexus V2 is the more advanced tonearm in the range, adding a titanium arm tube, a VTA ring and changeable headshell wires.