Unveiled at Milan Design Week 2025, the Audio-Technica Hotaru (model AT-FTT) is a radical reimagining of what a turntable can be—fusing analog tradition with futuristic technology and sensory immersion. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide and priced at $9,999, this masterpiece balances technical precision, sonic excellence, and visual artistry.
A Turntable That Floats, Illuminates, and Plays with Precision
Unlike conventional designs that isolate only the platter, Hotaru’s entire upper section—including the tonearm and DC servo motor—levitates magnetically above its aluminum base. This design isn't just for show: it effectively eliminates internal and external vibrations, enhancing the accuracy and fidelity of vinyl playback. The result is a striking visual presentation with real performance benefits.
The platter itself is made from translucent acrylic, allowing the internal lighting system to glow from within. Users can choose between three lighting modes—Basic, Gradient, and Link—selecting from 20 distinct color palettes. In Gradient Mode, hues gently fade between colors; in Link Mode, the lights react dynamically to the beat of the music, visualizing the sound in real-time. Whether creating a soft ambient glow or energizing a room, the lighting transforms music into a multisensory event.
Hi-Fi Audio with Studio-Grade Detail
Inside the aluminum base are two 2.5-inch full-range speakers and two 0.75-inch tweeters, delivering a wide frequency response of 60 Hz to 20 kHz. Surprisingly powerful for its size, the system produces clear mids, delicate highs, and rich low-end performance that rivals larger setups. A dedicated subwoofer output allows bass lovers to push the low frequencies even further.
Paired with a statically balanced carbon tonearm and custom VM stereo cartridge, the Hotaru offers sonic precision grounded in Audio-Technica’s analog legacy. The concealed belt-driven subplatter isolates motor noise, ensuring that sound remains both transparent and emotionally engaging.
Design Meets Philosophy
The name "Hotaru"—Japanese for "firefly"—echoes its luminescent quality and fleeting beauty. More than a piece of gear, it’s a design object that captures emotion in motion. As the record spins and lights shimmer in response, each moment becomes an ephemeral spectacle—music, light, and time converging in harmony.
Every element of the Hotaru’s construction has been chosen for both function and form. The acrylic top enhances light diffusion, the aluminum body ensures rigidity and acoustic neutrality, and the solid brass feet ground the system both physically and visually. Even the tonearm and headshell are refined to minimalist perfection, showing that no detail has been overlooked.
A Limited Opportunity
Those wishing to own the Hotaru must register by May 30, 2025 on Audio-Technica’s website. Shipments are scheduled to begin in October 2025. Whether you're a dedicated audiophile, a design enthusiast, or a collector seeking something extraordinary, Hotaru offers more than playback—it offers presence.
In a world filled with fleeting digital noise, Hotaru creates unforgettable analog moments—where music floats, light pulses, and every detail is felt.