Turntables — Rekkord Audio F400

The F400 is the top model of Rekkord Audio's fully automatic turntable range, assembled by hand in the historic former Dual factory in the Black Forest town of St. Georgen. Rekkord was created by Heinz Lichtenegger, founder of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, within the Audio Tuning group. The F400 shares the suspended sub-chassis design of the other automatic models and costs between about 699 and 849 pounds depending on finish.

Key specs that matter

An electronically controlled DC motor drives the platter through a belt at 33, 45 and 78rpm. Wow and flutter is 0.06% DIN (0.035% WRMS), rumble is 48dB, signal-to-noise ratio is 72dB and frequency response extends from 20Hz to 22kHz. The factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Red is a moving-magnet design with an elliptical diamond tip and 5.5mV of output. The deck measures 430 x 130 x 365mm and weighs 6.3kg. Rekkord gives a two-year warranty, and the finish choice covers Matte Black, Gloss Black, and real wood veneers in Cherry and Makassar.

Engineering and use context

The belt turns a subplatter that touches the solid aluminium platter at only three points, which limits the transfer of resonance, and a damping ring controls vibration further. The sub-chassis holds the tonearm, bearing, platter and automatic mechanism. It is decoupled from the main MDF plinth and suspended on elastomer rather than springs, giving an isolation that is stiff yet compliant. Rekkord makes the 8.3-inch ultra-low-mass aluminium tonearm in-house, with steel tip-ball bearings, cardan bearings and internal Easy-motion wiring. Tracking force is set without a conventional counterweight, using a massless adjustment that places the centre of gravity right at the bearing centre. While a record is playing, the automatic mechanism is fully disengaged from the arm. The F400 is built as a fully automatic deck for everyday use.

Pairing

The F400 needs an external phono preamp or an amplifier that has a moving-magnet phono input. The output level of the 2M Red makes gain matching with an outboard phono stage simple.

Alternatives

The Rekkord F300 sits below the F400 at a lower price, with a two-speed motor and a different factory cartridge.