'The serious audiophile Record Store Day deck': this elite new turntable unnerves me almost as much as it piques my interest

Date:
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:23:57 +0000

Description:
TechDas' elite new turntable vacuum-clamps your vinyl to a heavyweight
platter floating on air, promising to dig up 'extraordinary sound' from an
LPs grooves

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter TechDas has just unveiled its Air Force IV elite turntable The tech involved? It vacuum-clamps your vinyl to make it float on air and it has nothing to do with Nike trainers or the US President's airplane Some brands just know how
to time a turntable release for maximum exposure alongside Record Store Day , don't they?

The TechDas Air Force IV (it's nothing to do with the US President's transport, or Nike trainers) is an exacting deck for the seriously committed audiophile I'd even go so far as to say it takes the act of spinning plates to surgical levels of precision. Why? Because alongside the ability to
install up to three turntables and cartridges to it at any given time (the audiophile knows that tracking weights, the arc of the arm and the thickness of that tiny diamond-tipped stylus all make a difference) this turntable harnesses the power of air to elevate sound quality. Article continues below You may like This viral vinyl player combines nostalgic design with an Audio-Technica cartridge Technics' new direct drive deck can be yours for lower mid-range money, and I'm very interested Turntable not sounding great? Do this before you buy a new one

The Air Force IV, uses a silent electric pump to float its high-mass, one-piece platter on a high-pressure "air bearing". That's right: with the
Air Force IV, your vinyl is actually vacuum-clamped perfectly flat. Thought playing a record was as simple as placing it on the platter and gently lowering the needle? Think again So exacting it's almost scary (Image credit: TechDas) The Japanese turntable specialist tells me that the new Air Force IV slots in directly above the "entry-level" Air Force V Premium in the current TechDas turntable hierarchy.

Okay, but at 19,998 (it has officially landed in the UK now, having been unveiled at last year's High End Munich show), which is roughly $27,000 or AU$38,000, it's about as far from entry-level as my poor gray matter can handle.

But just for clarity on TechDas' turntable catalog, in ascending order, next would come the Air Force III Premium, Air Force III Premium S, Air Force One, Air Force One Premium and mighty Air Force Zero, the latter costing just shy of $500,000 or 400,000, depending on which tonearm you opt for. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The Air Force IV (the price of which suddenly seems relatively reasonable) incorporates key features from the companys top-tier turntables, chief of which is TechDas' calling card air-bearing system. As well as vacuum-clamping your vinyl to ensure it stays exactingly level while spinning, this isolates the 9kg rotating platter to boast an "extraordinarily low noise floor."

Elsewhere, the Air Force IV's 21.5kg one-piece aluminum alloy chassis sits on four suspension feet with the same "specialised damping materials" used in
the company's far pricier Air Force III Premium S. The best turntables for
all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best turntables 1. Best overall: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo 2. Best cheap beginner deck: House of Marley Revolution 3. Best budget Bluetooth deck: Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT 4. Best premium Bluetooth deck: Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/turntables/the-serious-audiophile-record-store -day-deck-this-elite-new-turntable-unnerves-me-almost-as-much-as-it-piques-my- interest


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