A first turntable is usually a temporary purchase: it gets you started, but within a year you are already thinking about the next one. The Argon Audio TT-4 Special Edition (€990) was designed to avoid that second purchase. It is the top turntable from Argon Audio, the Danish brand owned by HiFi Klubben, and it arrives with the Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge already fitted and aligned at the factory. This guide explains who it makes sense for, which speakers or amplifier from the store it pairs with and what separates it from the entry-level models.
What comes in the box
The TT-4 Special Edition is a belt-drive turntable with 33 and 45 rpm, a carbon fiber and aluminum tonearm and an aluminum platter with a rubber mat. The chassis uses the ATS vibration absorption system and the finish is a five-layer high-gloss black lacquer. The base model won an EISA award.
The Ortofon 2M Bronze is a moving magnet cartridge normally seen on far more expensive turntables, and here it comes installed and aligned. The phono preamplifier is built in and can be switched off: connect it to a pair of active speakers today and, later on, to an amplifier with a phono input, without changing the deck.
Who it is for
It is for anyone starting out on vinyl with the intention of staying. It also suits anyone coming from an entry-level turntable who wants a clear step up without reaching €1,500. It is not for anyone who just wants to try vinyl with €200 and see if they like it: for that, the Vulkkano TD10 and TD20 do the job.
Which speakers or amplifier it pairs with
With the phono preamp switched on, the TT-4 plugs into the RCA input of any active speaker. The Vulkkano A4 ARC MKII (€139) or the A5 ARC MKII (€189) make a complete system under €1,200. The Argon Fenris A4 (€369) keep everything in the same family and bring the speakers up to the level of the turntable.
With passive speakers there are two routes. The Cambridge Audio AXA35 (€429) gives 35 W per channel and has its own MM phono stage: switch off the one in the turntable and use the amplifier's. The WiiM Amp Pro (€475) has no phono input, but with the TT-4's internal preamp switched on it goes into a normal line input, with streaming included.
What sets it apart from the entry-level decks
The Vulkkano TD10 (€159) and TD20 (€229) are the entry point: belt drive, built-in preamp and an Audio-Technica cartridge, with the TD20 adding the elliptical VM95E and adjustable anti-skating. The Music Hall mmf 2.3 (€499) already has a carbon fiber tonearm and an isolated motor, but it uses a stock Spirit cartridge and has no phono preamp, so it needs an amplifier with a phono input.
The jump to the TT-4 Special Edition comes down to three things: the 2M Bronze cartridge, the carbon fiber tonearm with the ATS chassis and the switchable phono preamp.
| Model | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vulkkano TD10 | Belt drive, built-in preamp | €159 |
| Vulkkano TD20 | Belt drive, built-in preamp, AT VM95E | €229 |
| Argon Audio TT MK2 | Belt drive, built-in preamp | €269 |
| Argon Audio TT-3 | Belt drive, built-in preamp | €399 |
| Music Hall mmf 2.3 | Belt drive, no preamp, Spirit cartridge | €499 |
| Argon Audio TT-4 Special Edition | Belt drive, switchable preamp, Ortofon 2M Bronze | €990 |
Why we chose Argon Audio
Argon Audio is the house brand of HiFi Klubben, the Danish chain of hi-fi stores. It spends nothing on advertising or middlemen: it designs products for its own stores and sells them at the price the build justifies. That is the logic we follow at my HI-FI HOUSE in Lisbon, where the TT-4 Special Edition can be heard in our listening room.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Argon Audio TT-4 Special Edition need a phono preamp?
No. It has a built-in phono preamp that can be switched on or off. On, it works with any line input or active speaker. Off, it uses the phono input of an amplifier such as the Cambridge Audio AXA35.
Is it worth spending €990 on a first turntable?
If the idea is to experiment, a Vulkkano TD10 or TD20 is enough. If the idea is to keep the turntable for several years, the TT-4 Special Edition includes an Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge and a switchable preamp, which you would otherwise buy separately later on.
Which active speakers can I connect to the TT-4 Special Edition?
Any active speaker with an RCA input. In the store, the Vulkkano A4 ARC MKII and A5 ARC MKII are the most affordable option and the Argon Fenris A4 keep everything within the same brand.
Read also Your first turntable: how to choose (and what to avoid) and Active or passive speakers: which makes more sense?.