Neumann PA2 # 023 from 1958

one of the rarest professional turntables ever made

Neumann - the reference since 1928

The history of professional audio technology is intimately linked to the name Neumann. Founded in Berlin in 1928, the German brand has been synonymous with superlative sound, pioneering research and development, and uncompromising quality. All over the world - in all famous recording studios, radio - and TV studios, concert halls, on film sets and on stage - if the sounds count for anything, Neumann microphones are there. For many decades too, the company was one of the leading manufacturers of disk cutting - and control room systems for the gramophone industry, constantly developing ingenious and innovative techniques. The company also built large professional audio mixing consoles for the broadcasting - and recording industry. Today, Georg Neumann GmbH of Berlin still specializes in the development and manufacturing of first-class microphones as well as studio monitors and - headphones. Last decades some vintage Neumann equipment related to the disk cutting systems are sought-after for high-end audio use at home, most wanted are for instance the Neumann DST stereo MC cartridge, the Neumann PA2 record player, the Neumann WV2 stereo phono tube equalizer amplifier and Neumann BV33 SUT, all designed and released in 1958 but after more than 65 years still state-of-the-art.

Background and history of the Neumann PA2

The Neumann PA2, PA stands for "Plattenabspielgerät" (record player in German), is the most rarest professional turntable around the globe. The Neumann PA2, released in 1958, was designed and built to professional standards and intended, with the Neumann DST stereo MC cartridge, to be the reference playback system in the cutting studio beside the Neumann - Teldec AM32b lathe and stereo cutting system. To meet the required specifications, the Neumann PA2 had to be free of rumble and wow and flutter to measure less than 0,06% RMS. The Neumann PA2 was never meant to be sold on a mass basis because the engineering and precision that went into its manufacture unavoidable raised the cost of the Neumann PA2 above the range of most ordinary turntables that time. So probably not many were made by Neumann, price in 1958 was DM 595,-- ($ 495,-- in the USA) and only some 25 pcs. are still existing nowadays.

Neumann PA2 # 023 from 1958

I had the opportunity to buy this Neumann PA2 # 023 in the summer of 2019, coming from Santiago - Chile and is with its low serial number one of the first Neumann PA2 turntables manufactured by Neumann in 1958. After 60 years it was in reasonable technical - and cosmetic condition, the turntable itself was not complete within the specifications and especially the tonearm was in broken - and incomplete condition so I decided to start a complete restoration which I did with intervals between 2019 and 2026 with the result that the Neumann PA2 # 023 returned to factory new condition, all original as it left the Neumann factory in 1958 and now being one of the highlights of my personal collection, a perfect - and historic example from the golden era of professional analog audio technologies in the 20th century.