Acoustic Signature Typhoon NEO Turntable

The Acoustic Signature Typhoon is the most advanced model in the German manufacturer’s “Tripod” range. It incorporates most of the innovations found in the Montana Neo at nearly half the price. The Typhoon Neo makes virtually no compromises and is designed to accommodate up to three tonearms while benefiting from some of the most advanced power supply stages developed by Acoustic Signature.

Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo: plinth and platter

The Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo features a distinctive three-point star-shaped design. Despite its relatively compact footprint and its ability to fit on a standard Hi-Fi rack, it weighs more than 35 kg. The 75 mm thick solid aluminum plinth is available in either black or natural aluminum finishes. This new chassis is 30% heavier than previous Typhoon versions, providing exceptional rigidity and mass to drastically reduce resonance and vibrations.

The plinth rests on three height-adjustable feet damped with a special sorbothane-based gel. Adjustment is both precise and very easy to perform.

The platter is machined from a 50 mm thick block of solid aluminum and reaches a total weight of 13 kg thanks to the integration of 24 brass Silencers that increase mass and inertia while reducing internal resonances. It is topped with a rigid damping composite mat with a carbon-style finish. The underside of the platter is additionally damped by a carbon layer.

The platter rotates on a beautifully engineered sub-platter equipped with an ultra-precise and extremely rigid DTD® spindle. This assembly uses the Dura Turn Diamond® bearing system. This virtually indestructible diamond bearing creates optimal conditions for exceptional sound reproduction while setting new standards in maintenance, low noise operation and longevity, backed by a 15-year warranty.

The sub-platter is driven by three belts connected to three AC motors.

Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo: electronics and drive system

Acoustic Signature designed silent AC motors powered by the external DMC-20 ultra-stable multi-voltage power supply. This system is combined with a digital motor controller integrating level 2 AVC technology (Automatic Vibration Control), one of the major innovations of the Neo range.

The AC motors use two coils and 24 poles. To rotate the coils, a sine wave signal shifted by 90° is applied. Like all synchronous AC motors, manufacturing tolerances can prevent perfectly accurate positioning of poles and coils, which is one of the main causes of vibration.

To eliminate these vibrations, Acoustic Signature developed AVC technology, which automatically measures and corrects motor signal phase shifts in real time. These digitally applied corrections drastically reduce vibrations.

Depending on the drive system and number of motors used, AVC technology is available in three different levels. Level 3 represents the highest possible efficiency through the use of dedicated software and specifically matched components. Starting from level 2, motors are carefully selected and matched to optimize performance.

The Typhoon Neo benefits from level 2 AVC combined with a three-motor belt-drive system. An electronic oscillator controls motor operation and allows easy switching between 33 and 45 RPM playback speeds.

Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo: power supply

A separate external control unit handles power on/off and speed selection. The Typhoon Neo supports both 33 RPM and 45 RPM records.

A black RJ45 cable connects the DMC-20 power supply to the external control unit responsible for startup and speed selection. A blue RJ45 cable connects the turntable motors directly to the DMC-20 power supply.

Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo: tonearm compatibility

Like all Acoustic Signature turntables, the Typhoon Neo is supplied without a tonearm but is designed to accommodate up to three arms. It is compatible with most 9-inch to 12-inch tonearms.

As standard, the turntable is delivered with one armboard, while the two additional armboards are optional.

We recommend pairing the Typhoon Neo with at least an Acoustic Signature TA-2000 Neo tonearm, or ideally with the TA-5000 Neo in either 9-inch or, preferably, 12-inch configuration.

Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo: sound performance

From the very first notes, it becomes immediately clear that the Typhoon Neo delivers astonishing performance. Music flows effortlessly from the speakers with remarkable energy and ease.

Despite its incredible dynamics and outstanding rhythmic drive, the Typhoon also reveals subtle nuances and fine details that very few turntables can reproduce. The silence between notes is particularly impressive. On classical recordings and quiet passages, room ambience and recording space details become strikingly obvious.

The Acoustic Signature Typhoon creates an immense and highly precise soundstage where every instrument is perfectly positioned and clearly defined. It also reproduces the acoustics of recording studios and even the sonic character of the microphones used during recording sessions with remarkable realism.

Records thought to be completely familiar suddenly reveal new layers of realism and naturalness. Bass reproduction is exceptionally deep, controlled and authoritative, while the midrange and treble stand out for their clarity, precision and realism.

This is truly what can be called very high-fidelity sound reproduction.

The overall performance of the Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo surpasses that of some of the world’s finest and significantly more expensive turntables.