Hotaru blends sound and light to perfectly illuminate Audio-Technica’s - analog ~ naturally - philosophy. Unveiled for the first time at Milan Design Week in March 2025—the largest design festival in the world -Hotaru is limited to just 1,000 units globally.
With an integrated amplifier and speakers, its magnetic repulsion-based floating platter suppresses vibrations, preserving the integrity of the sound. Through considered design decisions its speaker size has been maximized to fit its compact form, allowing Hotaru to deliver a powerful multi-sensory experience. The moment the needle touches the record, the voyage begins. The floating record and reactive lights create a playful, sensory-infused occasion, painting a truly one-of-a-kind scene.
The name Hotaru draws inspiration from the delicate glow of fireflies, beloved in Japanese culture. Echoing their fleeting beauty, this analogue experience captures unique, unrepeatable moments that leave an everlasting impression.
Features
- AT-VM740xML Cartridge with Microlinear Sylus
- Integrated Amplifier & Speakers
- Lighting Syncs to the Music
- Straight Carbon Fiber Tonearm
- Magnetic Floating Concept Design
Floating Platter That Redefines Space
Hotaru's floating platter uses magnetic repulsion to suspend the turntable midair, minimising vibration transmission and enhancing playback accuracy. This innovative structure is as purposeful as it is beautiful-designed to deliver clarity in every detail.
Light That Listens to Music
Hotaru transforms any space through a vivid interplay of sound and light. As the record plays, the light reacts and harmonizes with it, drawing from a palette of 20 shades. From dynamic excitement to soft ambiance, Hotaru delivers an immersive sensory experience that blends analogue warmth with visual rhythm.
Visualizing Sound in Three Modes
Hotaru features three lighting modes: Basic Mode sets the mood with a single color, Gradient Mode transitions smoothly from one color to the next, and Link Mode captures the character of the music, adapting its color by reacting to the sounds being played.
Where Function Meets Beauty
Hotaru features a high-quality aluminum case with integrated speaker and solid brass feet. The lightweight carbon fiber tonearm and the specifically made version of the AT-VM740xML cartridge pair together perfectly. The platter is driven via a concealed belt-driven sub-platter, which minimizes the effect of motor vibrations while preserving both sonic performance and aesthetics.
Over 60 Tears of Analogue Expertise
Hotaru includes the microlinear AT-VM740xML cartridge -designed to reproduce even the most subtle nuances and made with a black finish to fit the turntable perfectly. Users who wish to tailor their listening pleasure and swap between a moving magnet (MM) and a moving coil (MC) cartridge, can achieve this via a switch located beneath the platter that changes the in-built phono stage.
