Merlin NEO

The Merlin NEO is the successor to the legendary Merlin from 2016. We are now responding to the many requests we’ve received over the years for a successor to the Merlin with the Merlin NEO: The affordable price and sensational performance remain the same – everything else has been updated with our latest technological innovations!
Acoustic Signature’s CLD philosophy ensures that the three-piece mass drive, crafted from a “soft” aluminum alloy, offers minimal surface area for vibrations to take hold – creating ideal operating conditions for the latest iteration of our award-winning TA-500 NEO. The resonance-reducing design is effectively supported by a bitumen-damped aluminum platter and an external motor block with a fully isolated motor, which houses our reliable digital control electronics. Of course, the Merlin NEO features our legendary, maintenance-free DTD®-bearing and, in addition, a Level 1 implementation of Acoustic Signature’s Automatic Vibration Control. We are very proud of our new “Everybody’s Darling”: The Acoustic Signature Merlin NEO not only lives up to its predecessor – it actually outperforms it in every way!
Special features:
- Turntable with tonearm TA-500 NEO and Audioquest “Golden Gate” audio cable, available only as a set
- External motor block with fully insulated AC motor, speed fine adjustment and speed selector switch for 33 and 45 RPM
- Digital motor electronics with a highly stable multi-voltage power supply, crystal-stabilized
- Innovative AVC technology level 1 (Automatic Vibration Control)
- Ultraprecise, extremely rigid and robust DTD® bearing with diamond-coated spindle (Dura Turn Diamond® Bearing)
- Resonance-optimized aluminum chassis with CLD technology (Constraint Layer Damping) and an aluminum platter with a bitumen layer on the bottom
- 3-point setup with special gel-damped feet
- 15-year warranty (with registration)

CLD technology
A three-piece design crafted from a “soft” aluminum alloy, a bitumen-damped platter an the external motor block lead to a highly resonance-reduced design.

The new Merlin NEO
The redesigned and fully technically upgraded version of the Merlin was developed due to the many requests we had over last years, wrapped up on Acoustic Signature’s 30th anniversary.

External motor unit
The external motor unit houses the fully isolated AC motor and the digital control electronics. The speed selector switch for 33 and 45 RPM is placed on it’s upper side.

TA-500 NEO included
The Merlin NEO is only available as Set with the award-winning 9 inch TA-500 NEO tonearm and an Audioquest phono cable.
Technical data
| AC-motors: | 1 (external motor unit) |
| Drive system: | Belt drive with speed fine adjustment |
| AVC: | Level 1 |
| Speed range: | 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM |
| Power adapter: | External power supply (100 – 260 V AC, 50 / 60Hz. / 24 V DC) (WxDxH: 6 x 12 x 5.5cm; 0.2 kg) |
| Control panel: | Integrated in motor unit |
| Bearing: | High-precision Dura Turn Diamond® bearing |
| Tone arm base: | 1 x Rega |
| Tone arm compatibility: | TA-500 NEO 9 inch tonearm |
| Maximum number of tone arms: | 1 |
| Platter: | Aluminum anodized (Ø 300 x 34 mm / 5,8 kg, Ø 11.82″ x 1.33″ / 12.8 lbs) |
| Silencer: | – |
| Chassis: | one piece alumin aluminum chassis (Ø 300 x 50 mm / 11.8″ x 1.96″) |
| Feet: | 3 height-adjustable gel-damped aluminum feet |
| Dimensions (WxDxH): | 474 x 318 x 140 mm 18.7″ x 12.5″ x 5.5″ |
| Weight: | 15 kg / 33 lbs |
Available finishes
| Chassis and platter: | Black (anodized), Silver (anodized) |
Package contents
- Merlin NEO chassis
- Platter
- Motor unit
- Tonearm TA-500 NEO
- Counterweight
- Additional weight
- Anti-skating weight
- Set of screws (tonearm)
- Tonearm cable
- External power supply
- Power cord
- Drive belt
- Tool set
- Turntable mat
- Instruction manuals
Warranty
Unlimited listening experience
This set with Merlin NEO and TA-500 NEO combines the brand’s classic, elegant design with the latest mechanical innovations. Equipped with an optimized drive system and fully digital motor control, it offers maximum smoothness and emotional depth. It is designed for discerning vinyl enthusiasts seeking a timeless design statement in the mid-price range.













