audio origami
Audio Origami, led by John Nilsen, has built an outstanding reputation for producing and servicing precision tonearms. The company focuses on exceptional craftsmanship and bespoke designs. Based in Scotland, it operates as a boutique audio manufacturer, catering to enthusiasts seeking unparalleled analogue playback performance.
Audio Origami’s signature products, including the versatile PU7 and the advanced PU8 tonearms, reflect the company’s dedication to precision and performance. The PU7, available in alloy and titanium, is renowned for its customisation options, such as varying lengths and mount configurations. It also features the Meta Material Arm Damping System (M.M.A.D.S.) and Pro Headshells. These innovations improve dynamics, reduce noise, and tighten bass response.
The PU8 tonearm builds on this legacy, introducing enhanced rigidity and mechanical balancing for improved sonic transparency and more precise detail retrieval. Like the PU7, it offers a high level of customisation, allowing it to optimise the performance of a wide range of cartridges and turntable setups.
The company’s signature product line includes the PU7 Series (Alloy and Titanium) and the newer PU8 tonearms. The PU7 is renowned for its versatility, precision engineering, and customisable options, including various lengths and mount configurations. Features like the Meta Material Arm Damping System (M.M.A.D.S.) and advanced Pro Headshells contribute to its acclaim, enhancing dynamics, lowering noise, and tightening bass.
M.M.A.D.S
M.M.A.D.S: META-MATERIAL ARM DAMPING SYSTEM
All tonearm tubes experience resonance, regardless of the material from which they are made. Vibrations caused by the stylus, along with airborne resonance, travel up and down the arm tube and its internal cables. This movement increases the noise floor and compromises the signal captured by the cartridge.
Audio Origami has developed a unique method for damping arm tubes, ensuring optimal resonance control. This method, known as M.M.A.D.S., features a tunnel embedded within the arm tube made from a material that allows the internal cabling to "float."
This design significantly reduces the resonance that reaches the cables. The tunnel is suspended by ultra-thin flanges made from a vibration-rejecting material. Unlike other damping methods, such as foam or rubber, M.M.A.D.S. does not muffle the sound. In fact, it lowers the noise floor to such an extent that listeners can enjoy greater clarity and a sense of airiness in their records.
A REINVENTED CLASSIC
The PU8 tonearm embodies Audio Origami's commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. It combines advanced materials like a carbon-aluminium arm tube with V2 Meta Material damping for exceptional resonance control and signal purity. High-grade stainless steel enhances damping without affecting effective mass, while a refined anti-skate mechanism ensures precise cartridge performance across the record.
Designed for low-to-medium compliance moving coil cartridges, the PU8 delivers outstanding sonic transparency and detail retrieval. With a modular design allowing lifelong upgrades and customisation options, it accommodates diverse turntable setups and evolving user needs.
Beyond manufacturing, Audio Origami is celebrated for its expert tonearm repair and upgrade services, supporting a broad range of classic and contemporary designs. The company’s meticulous, handcrafted approach underscores its dedication to the analogue audio community.
