Shown off at Milan Design Week 2025 and limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, Audio-Technica’s Hotaru is a fancy, high-tech turntable that costs $9,999. What makes it special is its acrylic platter, which floats above the base using magnetic levitation to keep it away from vibrations, giving you clearer sound.
There’s a built-in lighting system with 20 color palettes and three modes: Basic (static color), Gradient (smooth color transitions), and Link (lights react to the music’s rhythm). It’s powered by a DC servo motor with a hidden belt drive, supporting 33⅓ and 45 RPM playback.
- [Exquisite Appearance] Built from wood and metal materials with a unique sense of layering; The streamlined corner design is truly atmospheric and...
- [All in 1] This turntable spins at both 33 and 45 RPM speeds, the turntable’s speaker can play other devices’ music wirelessly by Bluetooth or...
- [Magnet-type Cartridge and Adjustable Counterweight] Essentials for any serious classic turntable; These work to balance each channel and produce rich...
The carbon tonearm, balanced to stay steady, comes with a special VM stereo cartridge that gives clear high notes, balanced mids, and strong bass. The built-in speakers—two 2.5-inch full-range ones and two 0.75-inch tweeters—handle sounds from 60Hz to 20kHz with 82dB loudness, but you can also hook it up to other audio gear using RCA line-out or a subwoofer output.
It’s got an aluminum body with brass feet to hold it firm, weighing about 12kg (26.4 lbs). You can reserve one until May 30, 2025, lock in your purchase in August, and expect it to arrive starting October 2025.
At Audio-Technica, we believe that the analog practice of listening to records rewards those who take the time to fully engage with – and cherish – their music. We named this new turntable after the firefly because it illuminates the air with a similar magical glow, inviting listeners to soak up the fleeting experience. Also, as a Japanese audio manufacturer, we chose the ‘Hotaru’ name to reflect the influence that the firefly has had on Japan’s art and culture,” said the company.
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