Platine vinyle Acoustic Signature Maximus NEO

The Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo is the manufacturer's entry-level turntable. However, it is already a highly accomplished, high-end model offering remarkable performance in this price range.

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo: Plinth and platter

The Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo comes in a fairly traditional shape and size for a turntable designed for a 9-inch tonearm. But what immediately strikes you when handling it is its rigidity and mass (18 kg!). The solid aluminium plinth is available in black or natural aluminium. This new chassis is 30% more massive than previous versions. It has been engineered to minimise resonance and vibration as much as possible.

It rests on three feet damped with sorbothane-based gel. Height adjustment is available, and is both precise and very simple to perform. To the right of the base sits the control panel, used to start the turntable and select the playback speed. The Maximus Neo therefore allows playback of both 33 rpm and 45 rpm records.

The platter is made of solid aluminium 34 mm thick, giving it a mass close to 6 kg. It is covered with a fairly rigid damping composite mat. The platter sits on an ultra-precise, extremely rigid and robust DTD® spindle, which fits into a diamond bearing (Dura Turn Diamond® bearing). This ultra-rigid and virtually indestructible bearing creates optimal conditions for outstanding sonic reproduction and sets a new benchmark in terms of maintenance, low noise and lifespan, all backed by a 15-year warranty.

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo: Electronics and drive

The platter is driven via a peripheral belt and a motor. All rotary motors generate vibrations that are inevitably transmitted to the chassis, the platter and the tonearm, which compromises reproduction quality. Generally, this issue is addressed by focusing on damping the chassis and platter and on the design of the entire drive system, including motor choice. But for cost reasons, manufacturers rarely consider a coherent combination of all these measures. Furthermore, every designer eventually realises that these conventional approaches have their limits in terms of effectiveness. Vibration-minimisation concepts only work up to a point.

Acoustic Signature has chosen to push these limits further. In addition to innovative technologies such as the Silencer and CLD (Constrained Layer Damping), the brand has developed a silent AC motor with an ultra-stable external multi-voltage power supply. This is paired with a digital motor controller that integrates Level 1 AVC technology (Automatic Vibration Control), one of the new features of the Neo range. The AC motor is built around 2 coils and 24 poles. To drive the coils, a sinusoidal signal phase-shifted by 90° is applied to them. Like all synchronous AC motors, it has manufacturing tolerances that prevent perfectly accurate positioning of the poles and coils — one of the main causes of vibration. To eliminate these vibrations, it is essential to compensate for these manufacturing tolerances by other means.

This is where AVC technology comes in: it measures and automatically corrects motor signal phase shifts in real time, fully autonomously. These digitally applied corrections deliver a drastic reduction in vibration.

It should be noted that depending on the drive system and the number of motors used, AVC technology is applied at three different configuration levels.

Level 3 represents maximum efficiency, using dedicated software and components. From Level 2 onwards, motors are rigorously selected and matched to optimise performance.

The Maximus Neo features Level 1 AVC paired with belt drive and an AC motor. It is also controlled by an electronic oscillator that allows the choice between the two speeds, 33 and 45 rpm.

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo: Choosing the tonearm

Like all Acoustic Signature turntables, the Maximus Neo is sold without a tonearm. However, after several tests and trials, we recommend pairing it with an Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo or an Acoustic Signature TA-1000 Neo in the 9-inch version.

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo: Test and listening

We chose to write this review using the Acoustic Signature TA-500 tonearm. You will of course find these same qualities with the TA-1000, but with greater precision, transparency and dynamics.

The Maximus Neo delivers a powerful sound with remarkably articulate bass. This turntable is also among the most dynamic we have heard in this price range, yet without ever masking detail or subtlety. On the contrary, the reproduction offers magnificent timbres, full of substance and richness. The soundstage is broad and precise. The Maximus brilliantly reveals the power and depth of analogue bass, without overlooking the complexity and subtlety of the midrange, and with beautifully silky highs.

The Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo is a robust turntable with outstanding build quality (among the finest on the market), exceptionally quiet, with remarkable resolution, precision and dynamics. Its sonic performance allows it to be paired with high-end systems, making it ideal for the most demanding music lovers.

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