Acoustic Signature TA-500 NEO Tonearm

The quality of a turntable always depends on its weakest link. For this reason, Acoustic Signature refuses to offer an entry-level tonearm whose mediocrity would significantly limit the performance of its turntables. The TA-500 Neo is the first tonearm offered by the German manufacturer, yet it delivers incredible performance and musicality given its price.

Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo: armtube and pivots

The Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo is a 9-inch tonearm with an effective length of 239.3 mm. It features a double-layer carbon armtube that delivers 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 the latter are more highly recommended.

The TA-500 provides excellent groove tracking thanks to extremely precise miniature ball bearings. To offer outstanding robustness while maintaining perfect fluidity, the manufacturer has machined a stainless steel axle.

The counterweight that applies the tracking force is fully machined from a block of high-purity brass. Anti-skating correction is managed by a lateral weight — a simple method, and certainly the most effective, the most accurate and the most reliable to date. Nothing is more dependable than gravity!

The headshell is made of solid aluminium. It allows precise adjustment of alignment and overhang (17.3 mm) and is compatible with the vast majority of cartridges on the market.

The TA-500 is also fitted with a fully machined cueing lever that provides remarkable precision and ease of use.

Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo: wiring

The tonearm's internal wiring is made of studio-grade copper and entrusted to Japanese manufacturer Mogami. It is fitted with 24k gold-plated cartridge connectors.

The TA-500 is supplied with a superb 5-pin DIN/RCA cable in PSC copper from American manufacturer Audioquest.

Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo: mounting

The TA-500 is supplied with a 3-point Rega mount which, in addition to making it compatible with Rega turntables, allows for a very precise and highly effective VTA (height) adjustment. An SME-type mount is also included, offering the same vertical tracking angle (VTA) adjustments.

Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo: performance

The Acoustic Signature TA-500 Neo is a genuine pleasure to handle. It holds the cartridge perfectly in the groove without adding any coloration. Precision and definition are remarkable, and the sonic result is undeniable. The play-free machined bearings allow the cartridge to effortlessly follow every detail of the record, with very low background and surface noise. It also fully reveals the quality of the cartridge and its stylus.

There are certainly no secrets… The selection of high-quality materials and the precise hand assembly in the Acoustic Signature factory in Germany are what give the TA-500 Neo its musicality.

A thoroughly justified investment!