AVM Rotation R 2.3 MK2 Turntable, Black

The AVM Rotation R 2.3 MK2 is a belt-driven high-end turntable with its own 9-inch tonearm – without cartridge and without an integrated phono stage.

AVM is actually known for high-end electronics from Malsch in Baden – with the Rotation series, the manufactory shows it can build turntables too. The R 2.3 MK2 is the more compact of the two models: a 37 mm HDF composite plinth with an aluminum cover, a 3.5 kg acrylic platter on its own sub-platter, and a spring-suspended single-motor belt drive with microprocessor-controlled speed switching. You choose the cartridge and phono stage yourself – that's deliberate, not a cost-cutting measure.

Why the Rotation R 2.3 MK2?

Because the MK2 is not a facelift. AVM has significantly increased the internal damping of its in-house 9-inch tonearm, manufactures the gimbal bearings with less play, and has reworked the motor control. On top of that came the resonance-free acrylic glass cover from the larger R 5.3 and RGB under-platter lighting that you dim, color, or switch off entirely via the included remote control. Show on, if you like it – show off, when the evening gets serious. The spring-suspended turntable stands on height-adjustable damping feet, and the power supply sits outside the housing.

What you get

A turntable with the tonearm already mounted, platter and sub-platter, drive belt, dust cover, tonearm cable and external power supply – and two deliberately open decisions: cartridge and phono preamplifier. The included counterweight covers cartridges from 6 to 14 g. As a reference for design and tuning, AVM used the MC cartridges Ortofon Cadenza AVM.3 Red and Blue, which Ortofon manufactures exclusively for AVM – a good starting point, but not mandatory. This version comes in black.

Who is the Rotation R 2.3 MK2 for?

Plain talk: for anyone who wants a serious high-end turntable and enjoys deliberately combining cartridge and phono stage. Anyone looking for a plug-and-play player with a built-in phono pre and pre-mounted cartridge is honestly better served by a simpler unit. And anyone who wants the last bit of mass and quietness should look at the larger R 5.3 MK2 – five kilos more, 10-inch arm, a different league.

Our verdict

The small Rotation does nothing by halves: heavy, quiet, cleanly built, with a tonearm you rarely find this free of play in this class. What it demands is proper setup – and that's exactly what you get from us as well.

What the trade press says: "The R 2.3 and the R 5.3 convince visually, technically and sonically in every respect." – hifitest 12/2018, test of the first Rotation series

Technical specifications

• Type: belt-drive turntable, without cartridge
• Drive: single-motor belt drive, spring-suspended
• Motor control: microprocessor-controlled look-forward servo control
• Speeds: 33 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable
• Speed accuracy: 33: ±0.15% / 45: ±0.13%
• Wow & flutter: 33: ±0.12% / 45: ±0.10%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: -70 dB
• Platter: acrylic, 3.5 kg, on a separate sub-platter, illuminated from below
• Plinth: 37 mm HDF composite, lacquered, with aluminum cover
• Feet: height-adjustable damping feet
• Tonearm: 9″ in-house AVM design, gimbal-mounted
• Effective tonearm length: 230 mm
• Effective tonearm mass: 13.5 g
• Overhang: 18 mm
• Mounting distance: 212 mm (Linn standard mount)
• Counterweight: for cartridges 6–14 g (included)
• Tracking force: 0–3.5 g (0–35 mN), adjustable via the counterweight
• Anti-skating: adjustable, thread design
• Cartridge: not included; AVM reference cartridges Ortofon Cadenza AVM.3 Red and Cadenza AVM.3 Blue (MC), manufactured by Ortofon exclusively for AVM
• Phono preamplifier: not integrated, external phono stage required
• Output: 1 × RCA (phono)
• Dust cover: permanently mounted, resonance-free cover made of curved acrylic glass (design of the R 5.3)
• Lighting: RGB platter lighting, dimmable, colorable and switchable off via the included remote control
• Power supply: external, 15 V DC / 1.6 A (100–240 V AC, 47–63 Hz)
• Finish: Black
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 46.2 × 15.5 × 35 cm
• Weight: 12 kg (chassis 8.5 kg, platter 3.5 kg)
• Warranty: 2 years, 4 years total with free online registration at AVM (cartridge excluded)
• What's included: chassis with mounted 9″ tonearm, platter and sub-platter, drive belt, counterweight for 6–14 g, dust cover, tonearm cable (RCA), external power supply, remote control for the platter lighting – without cartridge

Frequently asked questions

Does the AVM Rotation R 2.3 MK2 come with a cartridge?

No. The R 2.3 MK2 comes without a cartridge, so you can choose your system freely. The included counterweight fits cartridges from 6 to 14 g. AVM itself used the MC cartridges Ortofon Cadenza AVM.3 Red and Blue as a reference for tuning. We at HD Zürisee recommend a suitable cartridge and mount it for you on request.

What's different about the MK2 compared to the first series?

AVM increased the internal damping of the 9-inch tonearm, manufactures the gimbal bearings with less play, and reworked the motor control. On top of that came the resonance-free acrylic glass cover from the larger R 5.3 and the RGB platter lighting with remote control. The basic mechanical concept, dimensions and weight stayed the same.

Do I need a phono preamplifier for the Rotation R 2.3 MK2?

Yes. The R 2.3 MK2 has no built-in phono stage and outputs the signal unamplified via RCA. Between turntable and system, you therefore need a phono preamplifier or an amplifier with a phono input. AVM builds suitable units such as the AVM30 PH 30.3; the Ovation PH 8.3 can even power the Rotation via its 15-volt jack.

Is the drive a belt or a direct drive?

A belt drive. A single microprocessor-controlled motor drives the 3.5 kg acrylic platter via belt and sub-platter, and the power supply sits outside the housing. This separation keeps motor vibrations and stray fields away from the cartridge. You switch electronically between 33 and 45 rpm.

Which cartridge suits the R 2.3 MK2?

The 9-inch arm with 13.5 g effective mass gets along with many MM and MC cartridges between 6 and 14 g. AVM tuned the turntable to the MC cartridges Ortofon Cadenza AVM.3 Red and Blue, and the trade press ran the Rotation series with Sumiko cartridges. Which cartridge suits you, we'll figure out together.

Why buy the AVM Rotation R 2.3 MK2 at HD Zürisee?

Because a high-end turntable lives and dies by its setup. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil mount the cartridge, adjust tracking force and anti-skating, and set up the turntable properly. You get turntable, cartridge and phono stage as a coherent whole. Call us (044 680 22 00) or write on WhatsApp (076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls)).

Goes well with

Find a matching cartridge under Cartridges, the necessary phono stage under Phono Preamplifiers and the cabling under Phono Cables. More turntables are in the Turntables overview, and everything about the black disc is gathered under All Vinyl. Tracking weight, record brush and small parts are under Turntable Accessories.