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Techdas Air Force 10
The all new Air Force 10 tonearm
TechDAS Air Force 10 tonearm incorporates a culmination of innovative vacuum hold-down and air bearing technologies, which were originally developed for TechDAS Air Force turntables. Additionally, it draws upon our extensive expertise in precision machining, particularly with titanium and tungsten materials.
After dedicating nearly three years to the development and design of this new tonearm, we are thrilled to present a product that features an exceptionally smooth and precise motion, thanks to the advanced air bearing technologies. This breakthrough enables the faithful reproduction of even the most subtle details embedded within the grooves of vinyl records, immersing you in an unparalleled "you-are-there" feeling and experience. Furthermore, the tonearm's revolutionary arm tube and main body benefit from the exceptional damping characteristics of the exotic materials and finishes used in their construction. This damping capability ensures ultimate silence and faithfully conveys every piece of information captured by the cartridge, delivering an audio experience of unmatched quality.
BEARING MECHANISM: Horizontal: TechDAS Air Bearing Float System. Vertical: Tungsten Pivot and Ceramic Ball Bearing.
ARM TUBE/ HEAD SHELL: Hybrid two layer structure. Outer: Magnesium alloy with DLC coating. Inner: CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).
TONEARM LIFTER: TechDAS Vacuum Force Lift System. Continuing with our theme of developing air force technologies, we went one step further with a new TechDAS Vacuum Force Lift System which holds a spring under constant vacuum. If there is a sudden power loss from the mains system supplying power to your listening room, the spring will automatically lift the Air Force 10 arm from your record.
TRACKING FORCE ADJUSTMENT: Spring pressure dynamic balanced.
INSIDE FORCE CANCELLER: Spring Pressure.
ARM MOUNT: TechDAS Helicoid Height Adjustable Mount.
OUTPUT: DIN 5pin Output Connector (Phono cables not included).
AVAILABLE LENGTH: 10 inch and 12 inch.
TONEARM WEIGHT: 2.3kg.
EXTERNAL AIR SUPPLY UNIT: One pump system for intake and exhaust. Weight: 14 kg. Size: 430 x 390 x 144mm (WxDxH)
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
61/100
Value for Money
85/100
TechDAS Air Force 10 brings cashmere-smooth refinement to vinyl, pairing poised treble tracking with a massive soundstage and commanding dynamics. Its titanium-and-tungsten, horizontal air-bearing design reduces friction as the arm travels, helping instruments emerge with effortless shimmer and scale. The Absolute Sound regards it as a genuinely reference-grade analog achievement.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally smooth, refined presentation with notably poised treble tracking.
Massive soundstage and strong dynamic authority suit both rock and classical music.
Horizontal air bearing reduces friction and drag, supporting an effortless, liberated musical flow.
Titanium-and-tungsten construction and sophisticated air-bearing engineering support reference-level build quality.
&
Cons
High effective mass makes cartridge matching more specialized, favoring lower-compliance designs over high-compliance cartridges.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
The available review finds the Air Force 10 exceptionally refined, open and dynamically authoritative. Its presentation is described as effortless and richly spacious, while its air bearing appears to maintain notably composed groove handling.
Overall Sound
96/100
The Absolute Sound calls the arm a “sonic delight,” describing a cashmere-like smoothness alongside instruments that shimmer naturally in space. It reports a massive soundstage and abundant dynamic power, with the authority and grace to serve both rock and classical music.
Tracking Performance
94/100
The reviewer says the arm traverses LP grooves with unusual suavity, especially through the treble. The horizontal air bearing is also said to eliminate friction and drag as the arm travels across the record, supporting the reviewer's impression of ease and control.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 61/100
The supplied information establishes two high-mass arm options, but the review provides little practical detail on setup adjustments or day-to-day operation. Those masses should make the arm a more specialized partner for low-compliance cartridges than a universal fit.
Adjustability
50/100
The review does not discuss VTA, azimuth, anti-skate, tracking-force adjustment, or the ease of cartridge installation. As a result, there is little reader-facing evidence about how flexible or convenient setup is in practice.
Cartridge Compatibility
72/100
The 10-inch version has a 20.9g effective mass and the 12-inch version rises to 30.7g, pointing toward cartridges of lower compliance. This should suit many substantial moving-coil designs, but it is less likely to be an equally natural match for high-compliance cartridges.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The Air Force 10 uses titanium and tungsten elements, plus an external pump system that supports its horizontal air bearing. The review calls it an engineering marvel and an analog reference product, though it offers little direct comment on machining tolerances, wiring, or long-term ownership.
Value for Money
85/100
At $45,000 for the 10-inch arm and $49,000 for the 12-inch version, the Air Force 10 occupies an uncompromising reference-price segment. The reviewer praises it highly as another TechDAS analog reference product, but does not directly compare its value with competing arms at similar prices.
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Authorized dealers for Techdas Air Force 10
- Absolute Sounds — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Audioplus Hi End — in-store — San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy (website)
- Definitive Audio — in-store — Bellevue, Washington, United States (website)
- Dream Audio Components — online and in-store — Dunaharaszti, Hungary (website)
- Guildford Audio Ltd — in-store — Guildford, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Imacustica — online and in-store — Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal (website)
- Innovative Audio Video — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Klarsund — in-store — Krokslätt, Västra Götalands län, Sweden (website)
- Kyomi Audio — in-store — Addison, Illinois, United States (website)
and 11 more verified dealers