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Analogue Magnifique, Geometric Perfection!  Ausgezeichnet ! Magnifico !  Belle Platine !

The "Bugatti" of High-End Analogue Playback

The Absolute Statement

* Very few rare turntables ever made *

"When you drive to the eastern part of the Netherlands, you will reach the city of Hengelo, home of the famous turntable brand called Pluto Audio.  Pluto is a product for connoisseurs.  For those who share the knowledge about the best possible analog reproduction.  Pluto turntables are much sought after but very scarce.  Until now, only a few were built and found their way to rich customers in mainly the Far East.  Some of them were sold in the United States and Europe. 

The factory in Hengelo isn't particularly a place comparable with a clean, large and efficient production line, with daily output figures running into the tens.  Although there's enough sophisticated equipment to build a Joint Strike Fighter, the birth of a new Pluto turntable is a work of art and handcrafting.  It takes three months to build a turntable in a process of meticulous and painstaking micro labor.  Owner/Designer Eddy Driessen is a very dedicated person.  Many years ago he started with his famous wooden tonearms.  These wonderful pieces of craftsmanship found broad acceptance among the audiophile community.  The evolutionary step from tonearms to turntables made sense and a new struggle towards perfection started.  Today, it still goes on. 

Eddy never rests in searching for new advanced materials and new applications.  As a spin-off from his daily technical job, he's able to acquire expensive engineering materials and learn a lot about their behavior and appliances.  The micro bearings in the modern Pluto tonearms are examples of applying valuable materials and fitting them together under a micro tolerance strategy.  Of course, under huge market demand, Eddy found some solutions for outsourcing polishing and the production of heavy parts.

The platter and the triangle, acting as the turntable's plinth, are in a rough form produced in an outside location.  It saves time probably some labor costs.  But the main job is still the handwork one.  Especially building and assembling the tonearms is pretty time-consuming. 

Basically, the turntable models 10A and 11A are building upon a triangle resting on cones.  A subchassis containing the tonearm, the diamante bearing and the platter is mounted on the triangle.  The platter is belt-driven by an outside motor.  The 10 is RVS and the 11 is the all titanium version.  The 12A is a new aluminum turntable and is the lowest in the price range. 

Several tonearms are available.  The new 2A tonearm is a real thoroughbred.  It succeeds the former wooden tonearm.  The 2A can be delivered in several natural woods.  Inside the tonearm is gold wire  as the ultimate solution.  Alternatives are silver or copper wires.  The newest tonearms can be fitted with a sophisticated VTA adjustment which is applicable during playback.

Listening to a Pluto is a delight.  It's like approaching the ultimate frontier in analog reproduction.  As a customer, you will be responsible for at least a part of the performance. 

A Pluto will ask you for a topnotch cartridge and it won't be a shame to connect the turntable to the finest playback equipment you can find.  Ultimately, your reward will bring you far beyond today's digital reproduction."

Fine products, exquisitely and personally handcrafted by designer Eddy Driessen.  Made of expensive materials, finish is simply first rate.  Understated yet elegant in design,  exuding class, a complementing art piece in the homes of the chic and stylish.

We have had the privilege of Eddy dropping by to set up one of our customer's Pluto system in Singapore, and there is no doubt that a master was at work, and a very dedicated and meticulous one at that.

Eddy Driessen, a legend in Europe, with the Pluto 12A Special turntable

12A Set

Showroom:

Walrus, London 

Pluto Audio Turntables

Pluto Audio handcrafts three turntables, namely the 10A, 11A and 12A models. These meticulously designed and handcrafted turntables are made from titanium, stainless steel, silver steel, bronze, copper, kevlar, and ceramic compound. The choice of material depends on the model and the specific applications in the turntable design.

Pluto Turntable Specifications :

Subchassis:

The construction warrants an optimal firmness between arm and platter. At the same time the subchassis is self cushioned, and the overall construction results in a resonance-free design.

Platter:

Made of solid stainless steel or titanium according to the style of turntable. A top layer provides an intense contact with minimal reflection between platter and record. Each platter is internally cushioned to provide absolute rest and feedback insensitivity.

Made of seamless cloth with special coating. Developed for optimal contact between motor and platter with rumble free course.

Chassis:

Guaranteed for optimal delivery of energy to standing point.

Springs:

Cushioned steel springs for isolation of external vibrations.

Counterweight:

Produces a well-balanced spring action and intake of energy.

Pluto 11A Special Titanium

Titanium triangular, bearing from diamond + ball,

battery, motor 12V, charger, puck, belt and all mats

* Photo above shows the 11A Special full system with Accessories

Back to Table Of Contents

Pluto 10A Special

Stainless Steel, bearing from diamond + ball,

battery, motor 12V, charger, puck, belt and all mats

Back to Table Of Contents

Pluto 12A Special Deluxe with Carbon (plating)

Pluto 12A Special Aluminum

Pluto Audio Tonearms

Pluto Audio tonearms, like the 9A special are representative for the state-of-the-art in manufacturing and design. Every part is handmade, according to narrow tolerances. As a result, there is a low resonance and an optimal transfer of energy. The construction of these fine mechanical parts is sturdy and will last for a lifetime. Pluto tonearms are made from expensive materials, like stainless steel, titanium, copper and ceramic compounds. Gold wiring are options, which is in favor of both dynamics and resolving power.

Arm: 
Constructed to allow one-way energy transfer, combined with optimal firmness and self-cushioning.

Bias correction:

Adjustable by means of thread and weight to avoid spring resonance.

Pluto 9A Special

●  9A Special Titanium with goldwire wiring

Pluto 2A Special

Pluto 2A Special

2003 model

* Click to enlarge *

There are 3 models in this range:

●  2A Special Titanium with goldwire wiring

●  2A Special Black with goldwire wiring

●  2A Special Wood/Aluminum with Pluto Audio wiring

Pluto 5A Special

●  Titanium with goldwire wiring,  or

●   Titanium with Pluto Audio wiring

* Click to enlarge *

Pluto Audio Phono Cartridge

Pluto One MK IV

●  Phono Cartridge, Moving Coil (MC)

This cartridge belongs to the very top when it comes to true-to-life rendering of signals from record to amplifier.  The composition of materials such as titanium, monocrystal goldwire, boron, carbon compound, resig composite and v/d Hul tip nr. 1S provide a favorable energy transformation.

Pluto Audio Accessories

The specially designed battery PSU, provides a disconnection of the mains and possesses a very low output impedance, which results in a better signal to noise ratio of the turntables.

Shown on the right is a Living Voice Mystic Mat further improved on by Pluto Audio especially for us.  Under the Mat is a second mat, a Pluto Audio Copper Mat.  The objects on  the top of the Mat are not cork, but a special material.  The spindle hole and area are also treated with a copper-based material.

The modifications done by Pluto Audio have raised the sonic bar on an already superb product.  Notable improvements are more explosive dynamics (!) and a more liquid midrange.

Reviews / Comments

High-End Shows - Feedback

2005

Hongkong

HiFi Show

Vinyl Paradise.com Report

by Mr. Lee HC

Translated: "The Pluto/MBL room was the only room that made the writer feel like staying. Whole room was setup with full MBL  and there was a demo comparing XRCD, SACD & LP (with the Pluto Audio 10A Special turntable with 9A tonearm & Pluto One cartridge).  Of course, the writer preferred the LP."

Click Me! to view the photos.

CES, 2004

Las Vegas

SixMoons.Com Industry Report

The Las Vegas Show, Jan 2004: by Jules Coleman

"For analogue junkies, the real treat in the Duevel room was the appearance of both the Pluto 1 turntable and its designer, Eddie Driessen. There was simply no better turntable sound at the show. There may well be no better turntable in the world. I spent most of my time in the Duevel room begging Mr. Driessen for an opportunity to review his table. He was polite but pretended not to understand my English. I'm working on it, though. He and I are going to discuss the possibility of a review when he returns to the States in three months' time. Let's keep our fingers crossed..."

:

:

"Whereas the aluminum disc was still the favored source -- after all, they are convenient, easy to use, and to be honest, don't sound so bad either -- a surprising number of rooms were spinning LPs, sometimes even as a primary source. Among the choice turntables on active duty were those from Pluto, Roksan, SOTA, Walker, dps, Clearaudio, Redpoint, Teres and Kuzma ..."

Athens High End Show

Athens, 2003

CD-Konzert.De

Athens November 2003 High End Show

"Room 109: CD Acoustics Duevel 'Bella Luna', driven by 'Pathos In Power' produced, as expected, a very good overall result, pleasing and open, with good harmonic content.  Analogue, one of the best of the show, was provided by a Pluto Audio 12A - Pluto 5A - Clearaudio 'Insider' tt/arm/cart combo, and Clearaudio 'Pathos In The Groove' phono stage. Digital by Burmester Rondo 992, all cabling by Nordost 'Valhalla' & 'Quatrofil'. We were very impressed by this satisfying set up that could please both the 'realistically inclined' and 'musically inclined' audiophiles."

Athens High End Show

Athens, 2002

CD-Konzert.De

Athens November 2002 High End Show

"The system was as follows: Bela Luna - Audio Acoustic speakers, driven by the Klimo Beltrain amps and Klimo Merlin preamplifier. Source was of course the Pluto 12A with the 5A arm and the Clearaudio insider cartridge. All equipment were placed on an Audio Magic rack, connected with Valhala cables. A well balanced system with very good dynamics. ARCO thought, this was the best sound of the Show."

Germany High-End Society

Frankfurt, 2001

Enjoy The Music.com

Best Of Show Award

"...Only the truly superior within their field need apply. Each day during the show this page will be updated with those products and rooms we found worthy. And the winners are:"

:

:

"The Bella Luna (9,800/pr DM) loudspeaker by Duevel loudspeakers with vinyl replay and other upstream gear won, hands down, the best sound of the show for Friday. The system also included, specifically, the Pluto Audio 12A turntable, 5A Prestige tonearm and Pluto One cartridge. The Blue Amp phono stage fed Kilmo's Merlin pre-amplifier and then to Klimo's Beltaine five-watt single-ended amplifier."

HÖRERLEBNIS

Germany's Premier High-End Magazine

in German

"Erwartungen"   (Expectations)

by Marco Kolks

* Excerpts - Translated :

"A large Pluto turntable (left) stood with CD Konzertmoebel, which carries Klimo and Pluto together, and is one of the best High-End offerings this year."

HiFi-Tage Heiligenhaus 28./29.10.2000

Die ersten HiFi-Tage in Heiligenhaus   (The 1st days)

* * Excerpts - Translated :

"Eddy Driessen (Pluto audio) was directly represented with two turntables. In the opinion of Marco Kolks, he builds at present probably the best sounding record players and tonearms."

Athens High End Show

Athens, 2000

CD-Konzert.De

Athens November 2000 High End Show

"CD Acoustics (M. Duevel) Jupiter speakers, driven by Klimo Beltaine mono amplifiers and Klimo Merlin LS preamplifier. Micromega Data/Dialog was the digital source combination. The analog source consisted of Pluto 12A turntable with the Pluto 2A arm and the Clearaudio insider reference cartridge, amplified by Clearaudio phono stage, a front end of another class. Speaker cables by Nordost SPM and interconnects Nordost Quatrofil. May be the best sound in the Show."

Consumer Feedback

Vinyl Asylum

2002

Hartmut Quaschik, TNT Audio reviewer

Best Tonearm Ever ?

"I know 50+ tonearms so far and there are just two makers of best tonearms: Pluto and Schroeder, both are at the top and well superior to SME/Wheaton/Graham/"you name it".

Magazine Reviews

HÖRERLEBNIS

32: Technik

Germany's Premier High-End Magazine

in German

Pluto 12A Turntable, Pluto 5A Special toneram, Pluto One MKII cartridge

Der (über) fliegende Holländer   (The Flying Dutchman)

by Marco Kolks

* Excerpts - Translated :

"For those looking for analogue technology apart from the mainstream, the way can lead to Pluto Audio. "

"The products of the Dutch manufacturer are recognized worldwide by audiophile insiders, those who know.  This fine-mechanical engineer's achievements enjoy cult status even in Asia and the USA. Mark Levinson, for example, is among the Dutchman's fans, and has asked Pluto Audio's designer Eddy Driessen to build a Cello tonearm."

"In the motoring industry, it was always somewhat special to possess a Bugatti, legendary luxury cars manufactured in France.  Bugatti designed a car model for a slightly wider market, after 2 years of intensive research, with some of the qualities of the higher models.  With a less complex design, manufacturing costs for the "people's model" was still blown beyond expected, but still resulted in a more affordable entry into the world of Bugatti. "

"Eddy Driessen has a similar experience with the Pluto 12A model.  The 12A allows one to gain entry into Pluto Audio, a genuine Pluto evidenced by the firm's logo clearly visible on the turntable's front. This inspires customer confidence, as well as its sumptuous weight of 38 kg."

Listening Impressions:

"Less Hifi, more music. The synthesis urges the listener to simply close one's eyes and concentrate only on hearing."

"The voice of the delicate singer leaves no doubt about musical authenticity.  The presentation inspires a calm and peace, as I know it only from live performances." - Here's To Ben, Jacintha

"Louis Armstrong's voice is correctly rough like a friction iron, yet at the same time is pleasant."

"Holographic, addictive -  Buena Vista Social Club with Ry Cooder"

"It remains nevertheless again and again impressive, lunatically fast guitar well-rendered.  The rendition is extremely fast and tremendously dynamic."

Conclusion:

"I have never heard in my system any analogue playback system as good as the Pluto combination (and also gladly, confirmed by my colleagues in this magazine).  It is difficult to believe that the next larger models of Eddy Driessen can raise the level again.  I do not want to continue my future occupation with music and High-End without this newly experienced "yardstick" any more. Therefore I now have the 12A, the 5A Special and the cable the Elon III -  a "Bugatti" added to the system - quality has its price, on the other hand, I completely satisfy myself."

Equipment  used:

Plattenspieler: Transrotor Eternita, SME V, SME 3012R, Transfiguration New Spirit, Benz ruby II, The Cartridge Man; Musica Nova Piano Forte, SME V, Rohmann; Pluto 12a, 5a Special, Black Beauty

CD-Spieler: Burmester 916, Consequence audio (mod. by Realite)

Wandler: Goldmund SDRA, Audio Alchemy DTI Pro 3.2

Vorverstärker: Burmester 808 MK V, Beck RV, Tessendorf TE1

Phonostufe: Blue Amp Model 42, EAR 834, TE Audio Phono (Tessendorf/MC -Teflonausführung) und Filternetzteil, TE Audio Phono (MC-Teflon), Transrotor-Phonostufe

Endverstärker: Burmester 911 MK II (Mono), Beck RE1

Vollverstärker: Unison Research Simply 845, Symphonic Line RG 14

Lautsprecher: Acapella Violoncello, Newtronics Skate und Gate, Bella Luna von CD-Konzertmöbel, Consequence Audio Pavane

Kabel (NF/LS): Acapella (Silber), Flatline SPM-Reference, Acoustic Balance Black, Ortofon 5000er Reinsilber-Phonokabel, Aural Symphonics, Voodoo von Dope Sounds, XLO-Netzkabel, Voodoo Netzkabel-(Prototyp), Netzkabel von Burmester und Phonosophie, WBT-Kabelschuhe,

Netzsteckerleisten: Beck Elektroakustik , Phonosophie, XLO, Sun Elon III

Zubehör: Burmester Powerconditioner, Copulare Tonbasen, Acapella Tonbasen, Big Block und Speed Block von Acapella, Racks von Audio Magic, Bedini Disc Clarifier, Sound Dynamics Foculpods, Sicominplatten, Ducal-Kabelträger von Copulare, Kabelträger von Audio Magic, PS-Base von Fisch Audio, VPI - Magic Bricks, Räke Pucks, ART-Graphitpucks, CD-Sound-Improver von Gläss, LP-Waschmaschine von Sota, Tonbase Plattenspieler von realite, Roomtooning RFA 78 von Harmonix, Shun Mook, CD-mat von ART, Ring-Mat