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Argon Audio TT-4 SPECIAL EDITION
Upgraded to impress
In many ways, the TT-4 Special Edition is similar to the TT-4 it is built upon. You get all the great features from that turntable, including the built-in RIAA and the ATS technology, but now on top you also get some added features. With the new rubber mat and dampened platter, you get a platter that is virtually vibration-free, giving your music even higher clarity and less noise.
Carbon fiber arm with an exceptional pickup
A tonearm needs to be both very lightweight, but also extremely rigid at the same time. Since carbon fiber scores high in both categories, it is pretty much a perfect material for tonearms, and we have therefore decided to use this for the first time in an Argon Audio turntable when making the original TT-4. In this Special Edition, we’ve fitted the brilliant 2m Bronze pick up from Danish Ortofon at the end of the arm. To make sure the 2m Bronze performs to its best ability, we even upgraded the internal wiring to the pickup.
TT-4 Special Edition comes with a built-in phono amplifier (MM) of very high quality. This means that TT-4 Special Edition can be used with all amplifiers and active speakers directly – no external phono amplification needed. We’ve even custom designed the built-in amplification to sound way better than anything available at this price point, using high-quality components only.
ATS – Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer (patent pending)
Hey – don’t leave! This ATS stuff sounds technical, but we promise it makes sense. In making the new carbon fiber tonearm, we found that there were some nasty internal resonances and distortions of the arm going on that negatively impacted the performance of the stylus when tracking the groove. The good news is that we have solved it! Basically, the trick is this: we make a very small, precise aperture along the underside of the tonearm. This cut does not affect the weight or stiffness of the arm, but it makes the arm less resistant to torsion (bending/curving), in turn reducing internal resonances in the arm which would of course normally travel all the way out into your speakers. The result: you get the clearest, cleanest sound you have ever heard from a turntable in this price range.
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Professional Reviews 85/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
83/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
88/100
Argon Audio’s TT-4 Special Edition pairs an Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge with a resonance-conscious, damped aluminium platter for a composed, serious vinyl front end. hxos plus found its plinth notably inert and praised the thoughtful shielding and Special Edition tonearm refinement. With a built-in phono stage and electronic 33/45rpm selection, it is an impressively complete deck.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Highly effective resonance control: the plinth was found notably acoustically inert, with damping and shielding supporting quieter playback.
Special Edition tonearm incorporates a resonance-reduction refinement identified as the key upgrade over the standard TT-4.
Well-equipped, well-executed package for its category, including the Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge and built-in phono stage.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 83/100
The available review describes the TT-4 Special Edition as a reliable, high-performing turntable and finds the deck acoustically inert when tapped. There is encouraging evidence of resonance control, though detailed listening impressions of tonal balance, dynamics and stereo presentation are limited.
Overall Sound
84/100
The reviewer characterises Argon’s turntables as reliable and high performing, offering a positive but broad indication of musical results. The review does not provide detailed observations on tonal character, resolution, dynamics or soundstage.
Speed Stability
80/100
The belt-drive deck offers 33 and 45rpm operation, with stated wow and flutter of no more than 0.20%. The review provides no direct comments on pitch certainty, sustained-note stability or speed drift in use.
Tonearm Performance
80/100
The carbon-fibre/aluminium arm incorporates Argon’s ATS resonance-reduction arrangement, which the reviewer identifies as the Special Edition’s key upgrade over the regular TT-4. There is no direct report on tracking, bearing behaviour or cartridge setup performance.
Noise Isolation
88/100
The reviewer says the turntable is “totally dead acoustically” when knocked, a strong indication that the plinth resists audible resonance. They also welcome the metal shielding beneath the sensitive low-level signal area as a thoughtful isolation measure.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
The Special Edition combines an aluminium platter, MDF plinth, damped platter and carbon-fibre/aluminium tonearm in a substantial 7.2kg package. The review’s tap-test result supports the impression of carefully controlled resonance, although it does not assess long-term durability or bearing refinement.
Features Usability
89/100
A factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge and built-in RIAA phono stage make this a notably complete package, while electronic 33/45rpm provision covers standard record playback. It also includes a dust cover, power supply and RCA cable, though there are no automatic functions.
Value for Money
88/100
At 999, the reviewer considers the design very well executed for this category and price. The included 2M Bronze cartridge, phono stage and upgraded resonance-control measures help make the asking price easier to justify as a ready-to-use package.
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Audio Evolution — online and in-store — Volla, Campania, Italy (website)
- Audio Vinyl — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- Audiocompagniet — online and in-store — Odense C, Denmark (website)
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- Kruunuradio — online and in-store — Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (website)
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