Argon Audio TT-4 Special Edition Review

For 2022 to 2023, the Argon Audio TT-4 turntable received the EISA Award in the “Best Value Turntable” category. At Argon, they took this as an opportunity to outdo themselves and make improvements where none were actually necessary.

And thus the TT-4 Special Edition was created, which surpasses its $715 little brother in several key areas. According to Martin Hagen, Sales Manager of Nordic Hi-Fi, they decided to make only updates that improve the sound. The handling of the device was to remain unchanged. Therefore, the internal wiring of the tonearm was improved, the platter was carefully dampened on the underside with three-millimeter-thick rubber plates, and the felt mat was replaced with a rubber mat. The high-gloss lacquer finish of the MDF chassis was chosen purely for aesthetic reasons.

But perhaps the biggest leap forward is the inclusion of the Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. This is a cartridge that leaves little to be desired, and at a price of around $440, it is both affordable and appropriate for the turntable. The standard TT-4 has a 2M Red ($110) in the headshell, which is two levels below in Ortofon’s nomenclature.

Chic Lacquer

But the Special Edition also has a disadvantage compared to the standard TT-4: it is available in only one version, whereas the standard TT-4 comes in mahogany and walnut finishes, as well as matte black and matte white.

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Now we come to the aesthetics, and I must say, the lacquer finish of the TT-4 Special Edition is flawless! Together with the brand logo and the tinted acrylic dust cover, this compact device is a real eye-catcher! My Magnat MTT 990 is taller and larger in every dimension, but its lacquer finish is somewhat inferior. I find that remarkable. In an environment full of Pro-Jects and Regas—to name just the biggest competitors—the Argon Audio can undoubtedly hold its own. The feet also contribute to this serene look; they differ from the standard feet and decouple the device very effectively from the surface, although they are not height-adjustable. The only thing that feels somewhat cheap about the device are the hinges of the acrylic cover or rather the way the cover fits into the holders. But you only do that during setup and perhaps when you move and dismantle the device.

Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer

The tonearm is immensely important for handling. Only when you feel that the bearings are free of play and the cartridge is securely guided over the record does confidence arise. This impression is immediately given here; the arm including the headshell with finger lift and arm lift is very good and pleasant to operate. It is only somewhat incomprehensible that they placed the rotary switch for starting and stopping the platter so close to the headshell—see the leftmost photo. Here, carelessness could lead to a knock against the stylus carrier with possible needle damage…

However, special attention was paid to preventing unwanted resonances in the arm. For this, the Argon engineers developed the Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer (ATS). This is actually just a small, precise slit on the underside of the tonearm that eliminates resonances caused by torsion (i.e., bending/twisting of the arm tube). According to the manufacturer, this is supposed to lead to “the clearest and cleanest sound you’ve ever heard from a turntable in this price range.” Well, alright.

Operation and Sound

In any case, the measurements are clean (see box), even if the platter spins a bit too fast. Setup and handling are pleasantly straightforward. The only catch: the power switch is located on the back. After a few hours of break-in time for the bearings and cartridge, the Analogue Productions version of “Time Out” was on the platter, playing “Take Five” at 45 RPM. The drum solo, the heart of this classic, sounded fabulously dynamic; cymbals were wonderfully detailed and lifelike. Next up was another sonic sensation on LP: the mono pressing of “John Coltrane With The Red Garland Trio” (Analogue Productions, also known as “Traneing In”). The first few minutes belong to Red Garland, but when the saxophone almost leaps out of the speakers, it’s incredible. The record sounds super lively, and the Argon reproduces it just as you’d hope: the joy of the session radiates into the living room. Wonderful.

After changing records, it was time for hip-hop: Queen Latifah with “Latifah’s Had It Up To Here” from the Technics Hip-Hop Sampler. Well, it’s not so easy to explain, but the Argon TT-4 Special Edition conveyed an intense analog feeling. For all the clarity of the Ortofon, it was unmistakably vinyl, which is a compliment.

The TT-4 features an internal phono preamplifier in both versions, which can be bypassed. Naturally, we wanted to know how it sounds. The user manual says: If your amplifier has a phono input, you should use that. The modesty is surprising, because the internal amp sounds really good. The music has drive; the double bass with Coltrane and Red Garland is perhaps a bit fuller, but the music is similarly lively as through the HiFi iPhono 2. However, the latter ultimately provides more space, a more precise stage imaging, and plays more clearly. So the turntable and cartridge appreciate a good external partner. But that can certainly wait a while.

Specs

Price: $1,100

Warranty: 5 years

Dimensions (W × H × D): 42 × 14.2 × 35.5 cm

Weight: 7 kg

Drive: Belt

Speeds: 33 & 45

Speed switching

Arm height adjustment

Feet height-adjustable

Pitch control

Fully automatic/End stop: – / –

Special features: built-in phono amp

Argon Audio / TT-4 Special Edition Report

Wow and flutter spectrum with a narrow peak, speed increased by +0.74%. The wow and flutter rated according to the strict 2-sigma norm is excellent at ±0.09%. The turntable and motor operate without scraping and hum noises, as the spectrum with coupler impressively shows (blue), which is only minimally above the idle noise with lifted arm (yellow, green). Rated rumble with record 72 dB (red), with coupler 82 dB. The phono amp amplifies by 43 dB and shows a linear frequency response except for a slight treble boost (+2 dB at 20 kHz). The 2M Bronze stood out with acceptable tracking distortions (0.12/0.07% L/R), high output voltage (11.2 mV at 5.63 cm/s eff.), and enormous tracking abilities (100 μm clean).

Verdict

Attractive, powerful in sound, and not found in every other living room: the Danish Argon Audio TT-4 Special Edition is a welcome addition among turntables up to $1,100. Uncomplicated and well-equipped.

PROS / CONS

Great feel, great sound

Built-in phono stage

Conveys a lot of analog charm

Rotary switch very close to the cartridge

Platter spins a bit too fast

RATING

Sound RCA / XLR: 9

Features: Very good

Handling: Good

Build quality: Very good

AUDIO BENCHMARK

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: 9 POINTS

PRICE/PERFORMANCE: OUTSTANDING