Acoustical Systems (Germany) Introduces the ARKADIAN, a Phono Stage Built Exclusively for Optical Cartridges

Acoustical Systems, the Bavarian high-end analog specialist known for the A*STELLAR turntable and AXIOM tonearm, has announced the ARKADIAN, a reference phono stage designed exclusively for optical cartridges. We are delighted to see a third-party manufacturer bring a dedicated optical equalizer to market, and we see this as another sign of how the optical cartridge ecosystem continues to grow.

Designed by D.D. Brakemeier and Dr. H. Müller, the ARKADIAN is a true dual-mono design with the power supply and phono stage housed in two separate chassis, each CNC-machined from two solid blocks of non-magnetic aluminium alloy. It is designed, sourced, built and hand-assembled entirely in Germany.

Key features

• Separate dual-mono power supply and dual-mono phono stage (two chassis)
• Individual GaN rectification per channel for plate and heater supplies, plus a GaN-sourced supply for the optical cartridge
• CLC filtering with European-made foil capacitors and large Lundahl chokes
• All-triode design using 1960s–70s German and Dutch NOS tubes, passive equalization, SRPP output stage with transformer coupling
• All-silver internal wiring; Swiss- and German-made switches and contacts; LEMO and Furutech rhodium connectors
• Three inputs for DS Audio optical cartridges, covering past and present generations
• Balanced XLR and RCA outputs, selectable output impedance, selectable grounding
• True mono, phase inversion and subsonic filter
• Four EQ curves: RIAA, Columbia, FFRR (Decca) and Teldec

Specifications: phono stage 25 kg, power supply 26.4 kg, 450 × 320 × 160 mm each, 100–240 VAC.

Acoustical Systems describes the ARKADIAN as its homage to the revival of the optical cartridge. We look forward to hearing what this phono stage brings out of our cartridges.

For full details, please visit Acoustical Systems:
https://www.acoustical-systems.de/the-arkadian-phono-stage-for-optical-cartridges/