DARK STAR - price is for the Base Turntable DECK + power supply. You must choose a power supply for the turntable to operate. Add a tonearm and/or phono cartridge for complete system.

The Transrotor Dark Star is a high‑end, belt‑drive, unsuspended turntable that combines mass‑loading with advanced damping to deliver quiet, highly stable vinyl playback for serious audiophiles. Its matte‑black architecture and modular upgrade path position it as both a sonic performer and a visually understated centerpiece in a premium system.

Design and build

The Dark Star uses a thick POM (polyoxymethylene/Delrin) chassis and platter, chosen for high internal damping and resistance to resonance, giving the deck a characteristically low‑noise mechanical background. The open, suspension‑less layout keeps the structure simple and rigid while three adjustable feet make precise leveling straightforward even on less‑than‑ideal racks.

Platter, bearing, and drive

A massive POM platter, supported by an oversized bearing with a hardened steel shaft and ceramic ball running in a brass housing, is engineered to minimize rumble and rotational noise. The belt‑drive system uses an outboard, fully decoupled synchronous AC motor, reducing vibration transfer to the chassis and allowing stable 33⅓ and 45 rpm operation via an external power supply.

Power supply and upgrade path

In its standard configuration the Dark Star is supplied with a Konstant Eins power supply, which can later be upgraded to higher‑spec Konstant units for even finer speed control and lower noise. The deck can also be expanded to full Dark Star Reference status by adding a second base, giving owners a clear, planned upgrade ladder without replacing the core turntable.

Tonearm and configuration options

The Dark Star is typically offered with a Rega RB330 tonearm but is compatible with various Transrotor and other arms via interchangeable arm boards, making cartridge and arm matching flexible for different systems and tastes. It can be purchased from us either as a bare deck for custom arm/cartridge choices or as complete packages that include arm, cartridge, and matched power supply.

Aesthetics and system role

With its all‑matte black surfaces and compact footprint, the Dark Star has a stealthy, modern look that integrates easily into both minimalist and high‑design listening rooms. In a high‑resolution system it is aimed at listeners who value neutrality, low mechanical noise, and upgrade flexibility over showy industrial design or over‑complex suspension schemes.

Our "dark star" - an aesthetic and audiophile powerhouse

The name sounds a bit like something out of a Star Wars movie. Which was a deliberate choice. This is where our founder Jochen Räke first became friends with the material POM - polyoxymethylene. This plastic determines the entire construction, from the chassis to the motor to the turntable. The platter is an impressive six centimeters thick and comes with a precisely fitting weight, also made of POM. The result is an audiophile appearance that is as cohesive as it is aesthetic.