Koetsu USA, the U.S. distribution arm of the world-renowned Japanese cartridge manufacturer, introduces into the U.S. market the spectacular Montegiro Lusso Turntable, employing an eye-opening design of alternating layers of aluminum and acrylic.

The Lusso Turntable by Montegiro, a company exemplifying German engineering at its best, is an extravagant example of audiophile art and performance. It consists of one wide and three narrower conical towers layered with alternating bands of black acrylic and polished aluminum, right up to the aluminum platter topped by an acrylic platter mat. It includes two tonearms -- a 10-inch long carbon and a 9-inch SME model 5009, with other arms available as options. It operates at speeds of 33-1/3 and 45 rpm. A basic model of the Lusso comes with three towers and one tonearm.

Sonically, the Lusso is as exceptional as its appearance. It delivers precise, crystalline highs, a rich mellifluous midrange, and a weighty bass that produce an ideal, musically balanced turntable. A new, highly precise high-end synchronous motor suspended within one of the cones drives the system.

The Lusso's revolutionary design also features an innovative, advanced bearing system characterized by a highly precise milled shaft polished at the end to minimize friction with the bearing balls, which are made of a special ceramic designed for compatibility with the bearing mirror. The bearing mirror is made of sapphire and supplied by a company that fabricates precision parts for Swiss watchmakers. The outer part of the bearing system is made of stainless steel; the inner part, a special, customized bronze.
The bearing plate is also stainless steel and matched to the bearing shaft. Plate and shaft are attached by first heating the plate then inserting the cold shaft. After cooling, the fit is so tight there's no need for screws or other fasteners. As a result, the system operates remarkably smoothly with very little friction. The cone-shaped towers are not connected to each other, and rest on height-adjustable feet for a perfectly level set up.

The Montegiro Lusso Turntable is available now for a suggested price of $31,527.