AVID’s New Turntable Marks 30 Years of Engineering Ethos

The gentle hiss of needle meeting groove. The warm resonance of analog sound filling a room. For vinyl enthusiasts, these moments are sacred rituals – and British engineering firm AVID has spent three decades perfecting the instruments that make them possible. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, AVID unveils the Relveo turntable, a ground-up reimagining of precision vinyl playback that distills decades of innovation into a single statement piece. This AVID Relveo Turntable represents the pinnacle of the company’s obsessive engineering philosophy, featuring revolutionary suspension, aerospace-grade construction, and DSP-controlled electronics that set a new benchmark for high-end audio.

AVID Relveo Turntable: Three Decades of Obsessive Engineering Perfected

Cambridge-based AVID isn’t just assembling turntables; they’re crafting instruments of acoustic precision. Every Relveo is designed, engineered, and assembled at their UK headquarters, where CNC machines carve components to micron-level tolerances. Founder Conrad Mas describes it as “engineering without compromise,” a philosophy evident in the Relveo’s DNA. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, AVID manufactures virtually every component in-house – from bespoke tonearms to custom power supplies – ensuring total quality control. This vertical integration allows innovations like the Relveo’s conical resiliently coupled suspension system, which solves a persistent audiophile headache: vibration isolation. Traditional sprung suspensions often require painstaking calibration, but AVID’s design provides immediate stability, particularly crucial for rooms with wooden floors. During testing, this system demonstrated a 40% reduction in external vibration interference compared to conventional designs, allowing the cartridge to track grooves with microscopic accuracy.

The Relveo’s foundation is a 7kg platter machined from a single billet of aircraft-grade aluminum. By mass-loading the edges, AVID achieves extraordinary rotational inertia – when spinning at 33⅓ RPM, it maintains speed consistency within 0.01%, a critical factor for pitch-perfect playback. Complementing this is a resin-impregnated felt mat and solid aluminum clamp system that couples records directly to the spindle, channeling vibrations downward rather than letting them color the sound. As Mas explains, “It’s about creating a unified mechanical ground path. Energy from stylus friction travels through the record, into the clamp, down the spindle, and dissipates harmlessly – it never feeds back into playback.”

Revolutionary Tech Inside AVID’s Anniversary Turntable

At the heart of the Relveo’s performance is its external DSP-controlled power supply – a rarity at this price point. Unlike basic AC adapters, this intelligent unit continuously monitors and adjusts motor speed using digital signal processing. Each power supply is hand-matched to its turntable’s high-torque motor during assembly, ensuring optimal synchronization. The twin belt-drive system transfers this precision to the platter with near-zero wow and flutter. During demonstrations, complex jazz passages revealed stunning transient speed stability; drum hits landed with metronomic certainty, a testament to the engineering. Electronic speed switching between 33⅓ and 45 RPM happens instantaneously via a silent relay system – no manual belt adjustments required.

Visually, the Relveo draws inspiration from AVID’s flagship £50,000 Acutus Dark Iron turntable, featuring the same fixed-spindle subchassis design that eliminates bearing play. It comes equipped with the Altus V2 tonearm (£1,650 if purchased separately), featuring dual adjustable bias compensation and micron-tolerance bearings. Notably, AVID ships the Relveo without a cartridge – a deliberate choice empowering buyers to pair it with their preferred phono stage. “At this performance level, cartridge synergy is personal,” notes Mas. For those seeking a complete AVID ecosystem, their £2,500 Ionic moving coil cartridge is engineered as an acoustic partner, leveraging the tonearm’s ultra-low resonance characteristics.

Global Pricing and Audiophile Target Audience

Positioned as an “entry-level reference” model, the Relveo with Altus V2 tonearm carries significant but justified pricing:

• UK: £6,900
• USA: $10,995
• EU: €8,995

For owners of existing high-end tonearms, a tonearm-less version is available:

• UK: £5,500
• USA: $8,995
• EU: €7,495

Available globally through AVID’s specialist dealer network, the Relveo targets serious vinyl collectors and audiophiles seeking lifetime investments rather than disposable gear. As industry analyst James Carter of Hi-Fi News observes, “In an era of streaming, AVID’s growth proves analog’s enduring appeal. Their 30% year-over-year sales increase reflects demand for heirloom-quality components that become centerpieces of luxury listening rooms.”

The AVID Relveo Turntable isn’t just a celebration of 30 years – it’s a tangible manifesto for analog’s future. By merging uncompromising British engineering with musical soul, this masterpiece transforms vinyl playback into an emotional journey. For those who believe records should be felt as deeply as they’re heard, the Relveo awaits. Experience the revolution at an AVID dealer today.

Must Know

What makes the AVID Relveo’s suspension system unique?
The Relveo features a proprietary conical resiliently coupled suspension that provides superior isolation from floor vibrations, particularly beneficial in rooms with wooden floors. Unlike traditional systems requiring tedious calibration, AVID’s design offers plug-and-play stability while maintaining acoustic neutrality. This innovation stems directly from their flagship Acutus turntable, making high-end performance accessible at a lower price point.

Why does the Relveo exclude a cartridge?
AVID believes cartridge selection is deeply personal at this performance tier. Omitting a cartridge allows buyers to pair the Relveo with their preferred moving magnet or moving coil design, whether vintage or modern. For optimal synergy, AVID recommends their £2,500 Ionic MC cartridge, engineered specifically to complement the Altus V2 tonearm’s resonance characteristics.

How does the external power supply enhance sound quality?
The DSP-controlled external unit continuously monitors and adjusts motor speed with digital precision, reducing speed drift to near-zero levels. Each supply is matched to its turntable’s motor during assembly, ensuring perfect synchronization. This results in exceptional pitch stability and timing accuracy – critical for complex musical passages where tempo fluctuations become audibly distracting.

Is the Relveo suitable for beginners entering high-end vinyl?
While accessible in setup compared to some rivals, the Relveo’s price and performance target serious enthusiasts. Its £6,900 starting price invests in decades of engineering refinement. Beginners might consider AVID’s entry-level Ingenium models first, though the Relveo offers unparalleled longevity as a “forever” turntable for those committed to analog excellence.

What warranty and support does AVID provide?
All AVID turntables come with a comprehensive 10-year warranty, reflecting their build quality and UK-based support. The company offers lifetime service, including calibration and bearing maintenance. As Conrad Mas emphasizes, “We build companions for your musical journey, not disposable products.” Regional dealers provide personalized setup assistance.