Audio-Technica Unveils Hotaru Turntable: A Levitating Vinyl Experience with Light, Sound, and Style

Audio-Technica’s Hotaru turntable, first showcased at Milan Design Week 2025, breaks new ground by merging cutting-edge magnetic levitation with a mesmerizing, interactive lighting system—all while delivering the rich audio fidelity of hi-fi analog vinyl playback. This limited-edition marvel redefines the vinyl experience as a fully immersive, multisensory performance.

With only 1,000 units available globally, the Hotaru —named after the Japanese word for “firefly”—presents itself as both a sonic statement and a high-design object. Audio-Technica has envisioned it not just as a record player, but as an evocative design centerpiece where audio and visual artistry come together in harmony.

Magnetic Levitation for Enhanced Audio Purity

At the heart of the Hotaru is its pioneering magnetic levitation technology. The platter floats effortlessly above the base unit via magnetic repulsion, which physically decouples it from external vibrations. This zero-contact suspension improves tracking accuracy and overall audio clarity, offering a purer analog signal chain and smoother playback of 33⅓ and 45 RPM records.

In addition to its sonic advantages, the floating platter creates a truly striking visual presence. As your records spin, they appear suspended in mid-air—a stunning visual metaphor for the lightness and flow of music. It’s a fusion of sound and spectacle that leaves a lasting impression.

Dynamic Lighting Synchronised to Your Sound

Hotaru takes immersion a step further with a responsive RGB lighting system featuring 20 colour options and three lighting modes. In Basic Mode, users can select a static glow to complement their room. Gradation Mode enables fluid colour transitions for a more ambient vibe. And for those seeking deeper engagement, Link Mode synchronizes the lights to pulse in real time with the beat and tone of the music.

This responsive lighting design transforms every listening session into a multi-sensory event—painting your space with rhythm, mood, and motion, all while preserving the warm analog character that vinyl enthusiasts crave.

Premium Components for Audiophile Performance

Despite its futuristic visuals, the Hotaru is deeply grounded in high-end analog audio design. It features a lightweight carbon fiber tonearm paired with a bespoke VM stereo cartridge engineered for detail-rich sound reproduction. A DC servo motor powers its precision belt-drive system, maintaining consistent speed for both 33⅓ and 45 RPM vinyl playback.

Audio output is robust and articulate thanks to a built-in speaker array featuring dual 63.5mm full-range drivers and 19mm tweeters, spanning a frequency response of 60Hz–20kHz. Whether you’re spinning old favourites or today’s reissues, the Hotaru brings your records to life with pristine clarity and immersive scale.

Elegant Design Meets High-Tech Craftsmanship

The turntable’s design reflects Audio-Technica’s respect for form and function. Constructed from a stylish blend of durable aluminium and acoustically tuned acrylic, the Hotaru balances visual elegance with sonic integrity. Its solid brass feet provide additional resonance control, minimizing cabinet vibrations for more accurate playback.

Weighing in at 12kg and measuring 430mm x 430mm x 235mm, the Hotaru confidently commands attention as an audio sculpture—a functional masterpiece that blends modern minimalism with Japanese aesthetic sensitivity, inspired by the fleeting beauty of the firefly.

Preorder Information and Availability

With global production limited to just 1,000 individually numbered units, the Audio-Technica Hotaru is poised to become a minimalist icon and a must-have for collectors and design-forward audiophiles. Preorders are now open at a price of US$9,999 (excluding VAT).

Order windows close on May 30, 2025, with units scheduled to begin shipping in October 2025. Whether you’re an analog enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or a lover of contemporary design, the Hotaru promises an unparalleled vinyl listening journey—where melody meets light, and music floats like a firefly in the night.

Tags: audio-technica hotaru, levitating turntable, hi-fi vinyl, magnetic levitation turntable, analog playback, audiophile gear, premium turntables, smart lighting turntable, design audio systems