News

Air Force Zero Turntable Debuts: If You Have to Ask Price, You Can't Afford!

Michael Fremer  |  Mar 19, 2019

TechDAS debuted the Air Force Zero turntable at a recent (March 16th) event in Japan that commences a "world tour" for the 771 pound turntable (not including power supply and air pumps) that will make its American debut April 9th and 10th at The Audio Salon in Santa Monica California. It will next appear at Munich High End May 9-12th.

The base frame of stainless steel weighs 220 pounds. The platter base of extra super duralumin weighs 77 pounds while the combined weight of five (count them) five platters weighs 260 pounds. Broken down there's a bottom 66 pound platter of forged stainless steel atop which is a second forged stainless platter weighing 44 pounds, topped by one of gunmetal weighing an addition 44 pounds, topped by a fourth forged stainless platter weighing an additional 44 pounds followed by a top platter of powdered sintered Tungsten weighing 61 pounds.

Belt drive is via a 3 phase 12 pole AC synchronous limited edition German Pabst motor. An electric motor powers the built in air suspension system. There are three power supply/air pump units weighing a total of 83 additional pounds. Dimensions are: 35" (W)x26" (D)x13" (H).

If you have to ask the cost, you cannot afford it but $300,000 is probably a good guess and there will be buyers.

COMMENTS
BillK's picture
Submitted by BillK on Tue, 2019-03-19 16:27

If the US price is comparable to the Japanese price, more like $385,000 or so.

Plus tonearm and cartridge, of course.

barfle's picture
Submitted by barfle on Fri, 2019-03-29 08:34

I’ve bought houses for less. I can’t imagine anyone with enough money sense to have that much spending it that way. Seriously, if good sound is really important, that much money would hire an orchestra.

BillK's picture
Submitted by BillK on Fri, 2019-03-29 15:28

I’ll just hire Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin to play in my living room.

Oh, wait…

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on Tue, 2019-03-19 17:08

... will conjure up when tasked with achieving the same end.
Compare this unit to the Rega Naiad, which is also supposedly a cost-no-object device.

Eskisi's picture
Submitted by Eskisi on Tue, 2019-03-19 17:19

https://youtu.be/evUWersr7pc

mrl1957's picture
Submitted by mrl1957 on Tue, 2019-03-19 17:49

Will this be "on deck" when your Continuum Caliburn finally bites the dust?

Robin Landseadel's picture
Submitted by Robin Landseadel on Tue, 2019-03-19 18:55

Looks like something that landed in Dr. Who's garden.

Zardoz's picture
Submitted by Zardoz on Wed, 2019-03-20 05:13

The first thing I thought of was, what do you sit it on??? Not what does it cost? You know you have it bad when the practical thoughts come up before the cost considerations.

Anton D's picture
Submitted by Anton D on Wed, 2019-03-20 15:28

Where's all the gold plate?

That baby is totally 'undergilt!'

I wonder what it's 'zero to 33 1/3' time is?

volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on Fri, 2019-03-22 07:08

I wonder given its size, and photos, how much does one have to stretch over to put the record on the platter? As someone who suffers from back issues, just looking at that recessed platter gives me spasms. Of course parralax might be rearing its ugly head again.

misterc59's picture
Submitted by misterc59 on Fri, 2019-03-22 09:16

I too have back issues and the platter does seem to be set a bit back from the front of the 'table. The platter almost looks like it is a diameter that is meant to play 7" 45's since the rest of the turntable is so large!

Cheers,
Terry

Analog Scott's picture
Submitted by Analog Scott on Sun, 2019-03-24 13:32

How do you actually get close enough to the platter to put a record on it?

Paul W's picture
Submitted by Paul W on Thu, 2019-03-28 08:10

If I'm spending over 300K on a car it better look cool. Ditto for a turntable….that thing is ugly.

BillK's picture
Submitted by BillK on Fri, 2019-03-29 15:30

I think it’s stunningly beautiful, best looking turntable I’ve seen.

Anton D's picture
Submitted by Anton D on Sun, 2019-04-07 12:05

I am sure it sounds great, but it looks like something you would use to punish your records for misbehaving.

Where does the steam come out?

;-D

X