Exclusive interview with Robert Hagemann, International Sales Director- Acoustic Signature
Acoustic Signature resume :
Acoustic Signature has been manufacturing premium vinyl turntables in Süßen, Baden-Württemberg since 1996, 100% Made in Germany. Its proprietary technologies, DTD® bearing (15-year warranty), Tidorfolon damping polymer, brass Silencer modules, share one goal: extracting the groove signal with zero noise and zero parasitic distortion. The range spans from the Maximus to the Invictus, with TA-500 to TA-7000 tonearms, in-house MC cartridges and Tango phono preamplifiers.
Founded in the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg, industrial heartland of Bosch, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, Acoustic Signature embodies a precise vision of German manufacturing: in-house workshops, in-house machinery, minimum tolerances, maximum warranty. Robert Hagemann, International Sales Director since 2018, opens the doors of the company with the candour of a man who has spent 38 years in hi-fi and never stopped loving music.
Robert Hagemann: 38 years in hi-fi, and always music first
Bayreuth, the city of Wagner, is an unusual starting point for a career in high-fidelity audio. And yet that is where Robert Hagemann walked into a hi-fi shop at twenty to pay off a tape deck too expensive for a student. He never really left.
« I have always said that I am living the dream, my entire working career has been linked to my hobby: music. All kinds of music. »
After seven years in retail and decades of international responsibilities, he joined Acoustic Signature in 2018, drawn by the quality of execution and the return to roots that vinyl represents.
« Acoustic Signature is a first-class product, handmade, with its own factory and machinery. And since I grew up with vinyl records, it was a real pleasure to come back to that. »
Swabian DNA: when regional industry becomes a competitive advantage
Süßen sits in one of the most densely industrialised regions in Europe. The network of precision SMEs supplying Bosch, Mercedes and Porsche directly influences how Acoustic Signature sources its components.
« Swabia is known for innovative entrepreneurship and special products. The thousands of regional companies mean we have many local suppliers for raw materials and parts, no long lead times, direct and immediate communication. »
In practice: 30 employees, a single factory, all machinery in-house. The 15-year DTD® bearing warranty, plus 5 years on all other products, is not a marketing argument. It is the logical consequence of total manufacturing control. See our factory visit report.
DTD®, Tidorfolon, Silencer: three technologies that define the brand
The DTD® bearing, the silent heart
The bearing is the interface between the motor and the platter, where noise elimination and rotational precision are determined. Robert Hagemann is direct:
« Bearings and spindles are extremely important to be noiseless, friction is directly transmitted to the platter and then into the cartridge. With our technology, there is no noise, therefore an extremely stable and noiseless, smooth signal transport. »
The DTD® (Dura Turn Diamond®) bearing is warranted for 15 years, an unmatched commitment at this price level. Machined to the lowest tolerances in the industry, it is the centrepiece of every Acoustic Signature turntable.
Tidorfolon: the anti-resonance polymer in the platter
Most hi-fi platters are solid, steel, aluminium, glass. Acoustic Signature machined cavities into the platter and filled them with a proprietary damping polymer: Tidorfolon. A solid homogeneous platter can resonate at certain frequencies and transmit those resonances to the record. By combining rigid aluminium with integrated Tidorfolon, the platter retains its mass and stability while neutralising parasitic frequencies.
Silencer modules and AVC levels
The Silencer modules are high-density brass inserts threaded into the platter to fine-tune resonance damping. AVC levels 1, 2 and 3 represent increasing degrees of this treatment, one of the key axes of differentiation across the range.
CLD multi-layer construction
The CLD (Constrained Layer Damping) technology bonds materials of different densities so vibrational energy dissipates at their interface rather than being reflected. It is applied to the plinths and structures of the upper-range turntables.
Aluminium, brass, steel: materials chosen for their density
« Aluminium and brass, steel, as these are high-density materials, giving a resonance-free body, stability and extremely accurate signal reproduction. »
Choosing dense, heavy materials is consistent with the DTD® philosophy: the more stable the mass, the more uniform the rotation; the less the rotation varies, the less wow and flutter in the extracted signal. The perceptible result: a stable soundstage and precise timbres. Read the full Acoustic Signature range presentation.
The Acoustic Signature range at maPlatine.com
The Acoustic Signature range at maPlatine.com
Browse the full Acoustic Signature range – full model presentation.
| Turntable | Architecture | Key technologies | Positioning |
| Maximus Neo | Classic chassis | DTD® · Tidorfolon · AVC 1 · 18 kg alu | Entry point to the AS range |
| Double X Neo | Classic chassis | DTD® · Tidorfolon · AVC 1 · dual arm | Versatility · two cartridges ready |
| Verona Neo | Classic chassis | DTD® · Silencer · AVC 2 · CLD | Mid-high end · precious wood finishes |
| Tornado Neo | Tripod | DTD® · Silencer · AVC 2 · DMC-20 | Tripod architecture · decoupled motor |
| Hurricane Neo | Tripod | DTD® · Silencer ×12 · AVC 3 · DMC-20 · CLD | High-end · reference soundstage |
| Typhoon Neo | Tripod flagship | Ultimate DTD® · Silencer ×36 · AVC 3 · full CLD · DMC-20 | Absolute reference of the tripod line |
All Acoustic Signature turntables are delivered without a tonearm and without a built-in phono stage. A phono preamplifier is mandatory.
Key takeaways:
A phono preamplifier is mandatory with any vinyl source. A DAC is not a substitute for a phono stage. Browse all phono preamplifiers at maPlatine.com, including the Tango MK3, Tango Reference Neo and Tango Apex Neo by Acoustic Signature.
Up to 4 tonearms on one turntable: the multi-arm doctrine
« The majority of turntables can be equipped with 2, 3 or 4 tonearms at the customer’s choice, the match between the price and technology of the arm and table is important. It has to match. »
This allows different cartridge types (MM, MC, mono) to be mounted simultaneously and ready to play without swapping between sessions. The value of the arm must always be proportionate to that of the turntable.
« They had never heard their records like that before — particularly in terms of soundstage and stability, followed by precision. »
A stable, wide soundstage is the direct consequence of a noiseless bearing, a resonance-free platter and a speed regulation system with no drift. Acoustic Signature does not seek to compete on entry-level price: the 15-year bearing warranty is the most honest possible statement of confidence in a product.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Acoustic Signature
What is the Acoustic Signature DTD® bearing?
The DTD® (Dura Turn Diamond®) is Acoustic Signature’s proprietary bearing, machined to the lowest market tolerances and guaranteed for 15 years. It ensures noiseless, friction-free rotation so no vibration is transmitted to the platter or cartridge.
What does Tidorfolon damping polymer do?
Tidorfolon fills cavities machined into the aluminium platter, neutralising parasitic resonance frequencies without reducing platter mass or rotational stability. The result is an acoustically neutral contact surface for the record.
Is Acoustic Signature really made in Germany?
Yes, 100% in Süßen, Baden-Württemberg. 30 employees, all machinery in-house, regional Swabian suppliers. See our factory visit report.
Can multiple tonearms be mounted on an Acoustic Signature turntable?
Yes. Most AS turntables accept 2, 3 or 4 tonearms simultaneously, different cartridge types (MM, MC, mono) ready to play without swapping.
Which Acoustic Signature turntable to choose as an entry point?
The Maximus Neo — already featuring the DTD® bearing, Tidorfolon and AVC 1. Browse the full range presentation for a detailed guide.
Is a phono preamplifier required?
Yes, a phono stage is mandatory with any vinyl turntable. Acoustic Signature offers the Tango MK3, Reference Neo and Apex Neo, optimised for its in-house MC cartridges.
What are Silencer modules and AVC levels?
Silencer modules are high-density brass inserts that fine-tune platter resonance damping. AVC levels 1, 2 and 3 indicate the degree to which this treatment is applied, the higher the level, the more acoustically neutral the platter.
This conversation with Robert Hagemann confirms what you sense when listening to an Acoustic Signature: behind every product sits a rare coherence of thought, unchanged in nearly 30 years. No chase for headline specifications, just an obsession with reading vinyl more faithfully.
A 15-year bearing warranty in a market where most brands offer two or three is a statement of confidence, not a sales tactic.
Browse the full Acoustic Signature range on maPlatine.com, turntables, tonearms, cartridges and phono preamplifiers, and book a listening appointment at our Rennes auditorium. 0 810 810 121, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.