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Nottingham Analog Studio · Ace Anna
Ace Anna ( 10 cali )
Precision unipivot geometry for the definitive analogue playback experience.
The 10-inch Ace Anna tonearm represents the pinnacle of tonearm engineering within the Nottingham Analogue Studio catalogue. Building upon the success of the Ace Space design, the Ace Anna introduces superior material refinements and enhanced resonance control, serving as the definitive choice for listeners seeking ultimate transparency and musical truth.
At the heart of its performance is a sophisticated unipivot bearing assembly, precision-damped with proprietary material that requires no settling time. This provides the stability of a conventional arm while retaining the low-friction advantages of a unipivot, allowing the cartridge to track with effortless fluidity and precision.
The tonearm features a dual-layer, long-grain carbon fibre tube which provides immense rigidity and effective resonance suppression. This construction ensures that the arm remains inert, preventing unwanted vibrations from colouring the signal and allowing the true character of your recordings to emerge with clarity and composure.
Sonically, the Ace Anna is defined by its neutrality and speed. It handles complex musical passages with ease, maintaining a focused soundstage and exceptional separation. It is an instrument designed for the serious enthusiast who demands a perfect balance between technical accuracy and the organic, natural flow of live music.
Key Features
01
Dual-layer carbon fibre tube
Features a tube-within-a-tube design that significantly increases structural rigidity and dampens parasitic resonances.
02
Proprietary damping material
The pivot and stabilizer bars are damped with a stable, high-viscosity material that maintains performance consistency without needing adjustment.
03
Side stabilizer bars
Integrated bars work with tiny ball bearing chases to ensure azimuth stability while maintaining the benefits of a unipivot bearing.
04
Aligned headshell
The headshell is oriented in direct line with the arm tube to ensure perfect side-to-side balance and prevent uncontrolled resonance.
Chapter 01
Design & Philosophy
Nottingham Analogue designs are rooted in the belief that a tonearm should act as a silent conduit. The Ace Anna avoids the complexity and potential for coloration seen in many modern arms, opting for a clean, minimalist approach that prioritises material science and geometric precision. By orienting carbon fibres longitudinally along the arm tube rather than wrapping them, the design achieves an optimal strength-to-weight ratio that is both light enough to be agile and stiff enough to be dead-silent.
Every aspect of the Ace Anna is focused on the interface between stylus and groove. The decision to exclude a traditional finger lift and use a straight-line headshell geometry is a testament to this philosophy, removing potential resonance paths to ensure the cartridge operates in a perfectly controlled environment.
Chapter 02
Manufacturing & Materials
The Ace Anna is hand-built with meticulous attention to tolerances. The core of the arm uses high-grade carbon fibre, chosen for its exceptional damping properties and rigidity. Unlike standard tonearms that may rely on metal alloys prone to ringing, the Ace Anna uses its multi-layered tube and specialised damping compounds to bleed mechanical energy away from the cartridge before it can interfere with the musical signal.
Chapter 03
Sonic Signature
This tonearm is celebrated for its ability to reveal the 'speed' of a recording without resorting to artificial brightness. Transients are reproduced with sharp, clean leading edges, while the natural decay of instruments is preserved with lifelike authenticity. There is a palpable sense of space and image stability that allows the listener to pinpoint instruments within the soundstage with ease.
It is a rare performer that balances high resolution with a lack of listener fatigue. Whether playing demanding orchestral works or delicate acoustic pieces, the Ace Anna remains neutral and composed, making it one of the most reliable and rewarding arms for a diverse record collection.
Specifications
Type10-inch unipivot tonearm
Effective mass13.00 grams
Mounting distance222 mm