Origin Live Aurora MK5 Turntable

Aurora MK5

The Aurora MkV is an affordable evolution of the much more expensive high performance Sovereign deck. In fact the relatively low price bears no relation to the stunning performance that this deck is capable of .

The Aurora is acclaimed first and foremost because of it’s musicality. In spite of being lowest in the range, it inherits design features from our very high end decks, acclaimed among the best in the world regardless of price. Remarkably, it offers true high end performance, comfortably outperforming more expensive decks–even when fitted with inexpensive tonearms and cartridges.

Performance hallmarks are superb transparency, realistic timing, tangible soundstaging and accurate imaging. The Aurora’s inherent musicality and smooth tonal balance guarantee many years of listening pleasure.

The Aurora MKV turntable follows in the steps of its award-winning predecessors, but with super accurate speed control and significantly increased performance

Features

Mk5 Motor Power Supply

The Mk5 Motor Power Supply introduces a new PCB in the PSU on all decks offering even more speed stability and improved sonic performance than the former Light Speed Controller. Common problems like speed drift, motor jitter and cogging are avoided. Speed settings for 33.33 and 45 RPM are operated through one knob with no need for belt/platter change.

DC100 Motor

These high-grade Swiss motors demonstrate the powerful, smooth-running needed in a good turntable motor. Ironless cores eliminate eddy currents which result in low “clogging”, low vibration and speed stability. Motors are decoupled to minimize vibration and reduce audible noise.

Belt

The belt is manufactured in house using special material which increases grip and reduces stretch under instantaneous loading, using a unique material which dramatically improves on widely used neoprene rubber  – benefits include increased dynamics and deeper bass performance.

High Specification Power Supply

Carefully selected cables from premium suppliers are attached to motor circuitry that is designed to ensure the motor, the platter and your vinyl are running smoothly on a consistent power supply. 

Pulley

A well researched special plastic pulley enables maximum belt grip, resulting in increased definition and dynamics over.

Standard Armboard

Our standard armboard provides premium performance for the price point. Decoupled from the rest of the turntable, the armboard is balanced in equilibrium with the platter and bearing house.

Ultra-low Friction Bearing

Made in house, the new MKV bearing has ultra low levels of vibration. The spindle rotates on a Tungsten carbide ball bearing centered on a hardened thrust pad for low friction and long life. Low bearing friction is essential to avoid vibration. Unlike decks which “float” the platter using air or magnetic bearings, we believe “earthing” the energy out of the platter is essential for sound purity.

High Specification Sub-Chassis

The sub-chassis plate balances the armboard with the platter and bearing house, decoupling both from the turntable plinth. Its mass heavy design also helps to effectively damp vibration travelling through the armboard and platter.

Suspension

Our unique suspension avoids both the softening of leading edges often found in suspended designs and the hardness in many non-suspended designs. The results are:

• Superior pitch, rhythm, and timing
• Rock-solid imaging
• Reduced colouration
• Refined presentation of low-level information
• Easy to follow separation in the music and vocals

Compare Turntable Features

Options and Extras

Multi-Layer Platter

The Multilayer platter makes a colossal difference to the performance. Notable are increased dynamics, ultra-fast transients, deeper bass and improved definition. However all aspects of the music benefit from the multi-layer platter. Read more >

12 Inch Armboard

In general, we think that 12″ arms almost always outperform their 9.5″ counterparts. The method commonly employed by other brands, for fitting 12-inch arms is to change the armboard. However, our arm boards are integrated into the structure of the sub-chassis. To accommodate for 12″ arms, we have an option to change the Sub-chassis of the turntable. Only 12-inch Origin Live tonearms will normally fit this option – other 12-inch arm brands can be quoted on a case-by-case basis.

Dual Arm-Board

The dual armboard allows two 9.5″ Origin Live or Rega’s arms to be fitted to the deck. You might want a dual armboard if you:
• If some of your records are dirty or damaged you can play them through a cheap cartridge without needing to change it.
• You may have 2 cartridges for particular applications such as a mono cartridge for mono records.
• If you set up the arms for different record thicknesses it avoids needing to keep adjusting the VTA
• Dealers use them to enable quick comparisons of different tonearms with the same cartridge

Dust Cover

We do not make or sell dust covers ourselves, but we can make a few recommendations. You can order a bespoke Lid from various online plastic stores, This is a good idea if you have young children or pets and need a completely enclosed solution. If however you just need to keep dust off the platter and arm then the Michell Unicover will usually suffice.

All options and extras can be added to your order at checkout.

Reviews

“The Aurora MKII sets the musical and sonic standard for its price range. It is capable of communicating the intent of all kinds of music and of triggering the deepest and most exalted musical ecstasy. My wholehearted recommendation.”  Read the full review >
Stereo Times

“Stellar performer with wonderfully realistic presentation… Enticing looks and celestial sounds… Superb attack, rigid bass, excellent dynamics, all of which means continually engrossing performances and edge-of-the-seat listening! …It looks like a star and sounds like heaven – a class leader in every respect…” Read the full review >
What Hi-Fi

“The good news is the Aurora does not require a $3,000 cartridge to sound great. Coupled with the OL Silver MK IIIA tonearm and a budget cartridge I could be happy to live with it long term. It offers true high end sound at a reasonable price and has the ability to transport the recorded performance into your listening. I cannot part with it, so I purchased the review sample.” Read the full review >
TNT Audio

User Reviews