Magne
An air-bearing turntable from Bergmann Audio, sold as a system with its own linear-tracking air-bearing tonearm and a separate air supply.
- Designed by
- Johnnie Bergmann
- Made by
- Bergmann Audio
Pictures © Bergmann Audio, from bergmannaudio.com.
Why it is renowned
In December 2010 The Absolute Sound reported that the Magne would be shown in the United States at CES 2011, printing the importer's description of it as an entry-level high-end turntable built on air-bearing technology.1 Fidelity in Germany, Audiophilia and StereoNET have since reviewed it, in 2019 and 2021.2
The story
The Magne is named for the son of Thor in Norse mythology, a god of great strength.31 Its aluminium platter, 5.5 kg on an aluminium subplatter, floats on a film of air and is centred by a spindle; a belt-driven tacho motor with feedback control holds 33 and 45 rpm to within 0.003 per cent.3 The plinth is of polymer and aluminium.3
The linear-tracking tonearm, of aluminium and carbon, also rides on air, so it touches the turntable only through the stylus and the arm wire.31 Its arm tube is a double tube damped between the layers, the parts are joined with two-component epoxy, and the counterweight is decoupled from the tube.3 An oil-free pump with a reservoir and dust filter supplies the air quietly enough to stand in the listening room.3 The Magne comes in black and in white.3
Sources
- Bergmann Magne Airbearing Turntable/Tonearm Comes to the U.S., The Absolute Sound. theabsolutesound.com, read 1 October 2026.
- Bergmann reviews and awards. bergmannaudio.com, read 1 October 2026.
- Magne turntable system, Bergmann Audio. bergmannaudio.com, read 1 October 2026.
Last checked 1 October 2026, against the maker's own pages.