I’ve been knee-deep in a home renovation for the past few days. Everything from the flooring to the ceiling, the walls to the shelves, is getting a makeover. The hardest decision I had to make wasn’t choosing the color palette or the cabinet style I wanted for my new den. It was figuring out what would be the perfect anchor for my workspace-cum-listening room. I wanted something that doubled as a statement piece, something with striking aesthetics that could also satisfy my audio obsession. As luck would have it, Japanese high-end audio manufacturer TechDAS dropped the Air Force IV turntable at exactly the right moment, and it went straight onto my “to buy” list.
First reported by What Hi-Fi, the Air Force IV isn’t your traditional turntable. It is built on TechDAS’s established “air” technology platform, which uses a high-pressure air-bearing system to float a heavyweight, one-piece aluminum platter. Luxe Review further states, “the idea is to eliminate vibration, reduce noise and let the cartridge read the groove with as little interference as possible.”
The Air Force IV, rather than relying on conventional mechanical bearings that introduce friction and vibration, essentially suspends the platter on a cushion of pressurized air. This eliminates physical contact and allows the record to spin with virtually zero resistance or interference. “Our vacuum LP hold-down system clamps an LP onto the platter. With these ‘air’ technologies, the Air Force turntables achieve an unparalleled sound quality, compared to conventional analog turntables,” the brand clarifies.
From a design standpoint, the Air Force IV is an absolute showstopper. The chassis is precision-machined from a single block of solid aluminum alloy, bringing the total weight to 75.6 lbs. To put that into context, that’s roughly triple the weight of the SwitchBot S10 that I currently own. Boy, this machine is indeed heavy!
On the technical side, TechDAS has packed the Air Force IV with features typically reserved for its higher-tier models. This includes a heavy-machined alloy platter that aims for an extended frequency range and enhanced dynamics. At the same time, a vacuum clamping system presses records flat against the surface, giving the cartridge a more consistent and unobstructed ride. Tech Radar’s Becky Scarrott, who got exclusive insights from the company on the record player, notes that the “Air Force IV slots in directly above the ‘entry-level’ Air Force V Premium in the current TechDas turntable hierarchy.”
Other features include a low-vibration AC motor separated from the main chassis to prevent unwanted interference with playback, and a belt made of polished polyester fiber for more stable rotation. The digital speed control system keeps wow and flutter figures below 0.3 percent. A benchmark that record player enthusiasts will appreciate immediately.
The Air Force IV can accommodate up to three tonearms, with the tonearm base available in rear-right or front-right configurations. All said and done, I’ll admit I should have covered this a couple of days ago in honor of Record Store Day, but better late than never. That said, TechDAS is clearly targeting collectors and enthusiasts who want their setup to match their passion, and the Air Force IV lives up to that ambition.
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The brand calls it “a new benchmark in analog sound,” driven by its vision of “the ultimate analog reproduction,” and it’s hard to argue with that after looking at what’s under the hood. For a freshly renovated listening room built around sound, it’s the one piece I wasn’t willing to compromise on, until I saw the price tag. The Air Force IV is priced at £19,998 (approximately $26,500), which is way above what I expected. Clearly, it’s for “Richie of all riches”, just not me!
