High End 2022 • Hot Product

With TechDAS unable to attend the show due to the health constraints and the impact of the conflict in the Ukraine on international air travel, the massive Air Force Zero turntable was also absent. This gave showgoers a rare opportunity to enjoy the performance of the latest iteration of the junior Air Force III. This compact turntable system still manages to pack in an air bearing and vacuum hold-down along with a sophisticated power supply to drive its independently housed motor. The Premium model (€37,900) adds a 29kg/64-pound gunmetal platter in place of the 9kg aluminum original, while the Premium S model (above, €39,900 or €2590 extra from the Premium model) signifies the inclusion of a gel-based suspension incorporated into the turntable’s feet and designed to combat structurally transmitted energy. Both upgrades can be fitted to existing Air Force IIIs.

Fitted with a pair of Thales Statement tonearms (the Air Force III can accept up to four separate 'arms) to allow for stereo and mono replay, this record player offered a confident, and sure-footed performance that made the most of the wide range of different records, recording styles and disc vintages used for the demonstrations, clearly showing the musical benefits of both the technology incorporated in the turntable itself and the ability to support multiple ‘arms. At a show where the turntable mantra seemed to be “the bigger the better” -- physically and in terms of price -- the compact Air Force III Premium S was a timely reminder of just how good the base models from a company like TechDAS can be.

While the prices are a long way from beer-budget, they are also way short of the prices being touted for top-of-the-line turntables these days, while the performance on offer could (and perhaps should) give buyers of those big rigs pause for thought.