On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Acoustic Signature is offering a special version of the famous 2016 MERLIN. With the new Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo, the German manufacturer is also responding to many requests received over the years for a successor to the MERLIN. This model becomes the most affordable in the Acoustic Signature range, but above all it is a highly accomplished, high-end turntable offering incredible performance in this price category.
Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo: plinth and platter
The Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo features a spherical form with an offset for a 9-inch tonearm. What immediately stands out when handling it is its rigidity and mass (15 kg!). The solid aluminum plinth is available in black or natural aluminum. This new chassis is 30% more massive than the previous version. It has been designed and engineered to minimize resonances and vibrations as much as possible. It is milled from a solid aluminum block measuring 30 cm in diameter and 5 cm in thickness.
It rests on three feet damped with sorbothane-based gel. Height adjustment is available and, in addition to being precise, is very easy to perform.
The platter is made of 34 mm-thick solid aluminum, giving it a mass of nearly 6 kg. Its underside is coated with a layer of bitumen. The platter uses an ultra-precise and extremely rigid DTD® axle, integrated into a diamond bearing (Dura Turn Diamond® bearing). This ultra-rigid, virtually indestructible bearing creates optimal conditions for outstanding sound reproduction and sets a new benchmark in maintenance, low noise, and longevity, backed by a 15-year warranty.
Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo: electronics and drive system
The platter is driven by a peripheral belt and a fully separated motor housed in an aluminum block. This block contains both the motor and the digital control electronics. On top, a three-position switch allows power on/off and selection of 33 and 45 rpm speeds.
In addition to innovative technologies such as Silencer and CLD (Constraint Layer Damping), the brand has developed a quiet AC motor with an ultra-stable multi-voltage external power supply. It is paired with a digital motor controller incorporating Level 1 AVC technology (Automatic Vibration Control), one of the new features of the Neo range. The AC synchronous motor consists of two coils and 24 poles. To drive the coils, a sinusoidal signal phase-shifted by 90° is applied.
As with all AC synchronous motors, manufacturing tolerances prevent perfectly precise alignment of poles and coils. This is one of the main sources of vibration. To eliminate these vibrations, it is necessary to compensate for these tolerances using other means. This is where AVC technology comes in: it measures and automatically corrects motor signal phase shifts in real time, fully automatically. These digitally applied corrections significantly reduce vibrations.
Depending on the drive system and number of motors used, AVC technology is implemented in three levels. Level 3 offers maximum performance using dedicated software and components. From level 2 onward, motors are carefully selected and matched to optimize performance. The Merlin Neo uses Level 1 AVC combined with a belt drive and a single AC motor. It is also controlled by an electronic oscillator, allowing selection between 33 and 45 rpm speeds.
Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo: tonearm
Unlike other turntables from the manufacturer, the Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo comes standard with the excellent Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo tonearm. This 9-inch version delivers remarkable performance and coherence with the turntable. The TA-500 Neo has an effective length of 239.3 mm. It is made from a double-layer carbon tube offering excellent rigidity and very low resonance.
Its effective mass of 10 g allows it to be paired with a wide range of MM and MC cartridges, although MC cartridges are generally recommended. The TA-500 provides excellent tracking thanks to extremely precise miniature ball bearings. To ensure robustness while maintaining perfect smoothness, the manufacturer machines a stainless steel spindle.
The counterweight applying tracking force is fully machined from a highly pure brass block. Anti-skating is handled by a lateral weight system—simple, and arguably the most effective, precise, and durable method available. There is nothing more certain than gravity.
The headshell is made of solid aluminum and allows precise alignment and overhang adjustment (17.3 mm). It is compatible with most cartridges on the market. The TA-500 is also equipped with a fully machined arm lift offering excellent precision and ease of use.
Internal wiring is made of studio-grade copper supplied by Japanese manufacturer Mogami. It features 24k gold-plated cartridge connectors and is paired with an AudioQuest Golden Gate phono cable.
Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo: test and listening impressions
The Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo is clearly in a different league compared to the original 2016 model. It is striking to see how much the build quality and assembly have evolved, while the Merlin is now offered at a lower price. The Neo range is not a minor evolution, but a true revolution.
Like the Maximus, the Merlin Neo delivers a powerful sound with remarkably articulate bass. It also retains the dynamic character typical of the brand’s sonic signature. It offers beautiful tonal richness, with a dense and harmonically rich presentation. The soundstage is impressive in both scale and precision.
The Merlin delivers powerful, deep bass that remains highly readable and well-defined. The midrange is arguably the strongest aspect of this turntable: vocals are rendered with presence, finesse, and subtlety. This part of the spectrum is perfectly complemented by a smooth, non-aggressive treble. Together, this creates a highly realistic presentation that conveys emotion with rare clarity. Of course, the choice of cartridge and phono preamplifier remains decisive.
The Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo is a massive, extremely well-built turntable (one of the highest quality on the market). Its operation is very quiet. Its sonic performance allows it to be paired with highly ambitious systems and will satisfy the most demanding music lovers. It surpasses the previous Acoustic Signature Merlin on both subjective and objective performance criteria, as well as musicality.
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Acoustic Signature Merlin Neo
What sets the Merlin Neo apart from the original 2016 Merlin?
The Merlin Neo is a complete redesign, not a simple update. The new solid aluminium chassis is 30% heavier than the previous version, the bearing has been rethought, and the electronics now incorporate AVC vibration control technology. The result is a turntable whose build quality and sonic performance surpass the original on every count — and at a lower price.
Why are the platter and bearing a particular strength of the Merlin Neo?
The 34 mm thick solid aluminium platter weighs close to 6 kg, giving it excellent rotational inertia and stability. It sits on a DTD® spindle housed in a Dura Turn Diamond® bearing, known for its extreme rigidity, very low noise floor, and exceptional longevity. This bearing carries a 15-year warranty, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in its durability.
What does AVC technology do, and how does it improve listening?
AVC (Automatic Vibration Control) measures and corrects phase shifts in the signals sent to the AC motor in real time. Synchronous motors inevitably have small manufacturing tolerances that generate parasitic vibrations. AVC compensates for these tolerances digitally and fully automatically, drastically reducing these vibrations — and therefore the noise floor — for a cleaner, more musical playback.
Is the tonearm included with the Merlin Neo a good match for the turntable?
Yes. The Merlin Neo comes standard with the Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo 9-inch tonearm, which is not the case for all turntables in the brand's range. This double-layer carbon tube arm has an effective mass of 10 g, making it compatible with a wide range of MM and MC cartridges. Its internal wiring is by Mogami, a well-regarded Japanese manufacturer, and it comes with an Audioquest Golden Gate phono cable — a coherent package that directly contributes to the overall sonic performance.
Motors: 1 AC motor
Drive system: Belt drive
Automatic Vibration Control: AVC Level 1
Speeds: 33.3 and 45 rpm
Power supply: External 24V DC
Bearing: High-precision Dura Turn Diamond® bearing
Tonearm compatibility: 9-inch tonearm
Maximum number of tonearms: 1
Standard tonearm: TA-500/9-inch
Platter: Anodized aluminum, 300 x 34 mm, 5.8 kg
Chassis: Solid aluminum chassis, 300 x 50 mm thick
Feet: 3 height-adjustable aluminum feet with gel dampers
Dimensions (W x D x H): 474 x 318 x 140 mm
Weight: 15 kg
