Turntables — Brinkmann Audio Balance 33rd Anniversary Edition

The Balance 33rd Anniversary Edition is a limited edition of the Balance belt-drive turntable from Brinkmann Audio, the German company of the designer Helmut Brinkmann, whose Balance has been in continuous production since May 1985. The edition is made in 33 sequentially numbered units, from 01/33 to 33/33, each engraved with its number, and its design takes inspiration from Leica rangefinder cameras. The US price is USD 64,990 with one tonearm, while Brinkmann itself does not publish a price.

Key specs that matter

The turntable is always configured for two arms. One Brinkmann 12.1 tonearm is included, and the second arm base has a collar system for an arm of the owner's choice, with an anniversary engraving on the base. A precision-ground round belt connects the Sinus motor, which Helmut Brinkmann designed and which has been used in the Balance since 2012, to the platter. The platter weighs 18 kg, measures 316 mm in diameter and 90 mm in height and is made of aluminium alloy with a recessed top of planar polished crystal glass. The bearing uses hardened stainless steel in sintered brass bushings. Power comes from the RoNt II valve power supply with selected NOS Mullard valves of UK production. The turntable measures 550 x 400 x 140 mm and weighs 35 kg, against 33 kg for the standard Balance.

Engineering and use context

The bearing is fixed, non-removable and maintenance-free, and it is heated electrically by its own solid-state supply, which keeps the oil at a constant temperature and so its viscosity stable. A heavy platter stores rotational energy, so short variations in drive force have little effect on speed. The glass surface gives the record a flat, hard support. The Sinus motor is driven by a sine-wave supply, which makes it run smoothly with little vibration, and the RoNt II supply uses valves to regulate its voltage. The turntable stands on a bespoke HRS Reference-series isolation base, effective from subsonic frequencies to 40 kHz and engraved with the Brinkmann and HRS logos. The standard Balance takes arms from 9 to 12 inch. The package includes a screw-down record clamp and tools, a coffee-table book signed by Helmut Brinkmann on the 33-year history of the Balance and custom flight cases.

Pairing

The Brinkmann 12.1 arm is supplied, and the second base takes another arm for a second cartridge, for example one for mono records.

Alternatives

The Brinkmann Bardo is the compact direct-drive turntable of the range.