Helius Designs offers a range of tonearms in the British tradition
of clever design and masterful execution.
Helius may be a new or unknown name to some audio hobbyists, but the company was formed for the singular purpose of developing and building high performance tonearms all the way back in 1982. Their first model was the Standard tonearm, and the Orion and Aurum models followed in the next eighteen months.
Helius Designs began when founder Geoffrey Owen left his position as turntable designer at Tangent Acoustics after they closed their operation in Cambridge. In the ensuing years Mr. Owen has developed and brought to market close to twenty tonearm models, and he has also expanded the scope of the business to include the manufacture of high quality optics for the laser and astronomy industries.
The current range of Helius Designs tonearm models represents the culmination of decades of research and development and the refinement of Mr. Owen’s design principles.
The Helius Designs Omega Standard, Omega Siler Ruby, and Phaedra series tonearms are unique in their use of a three-ball bearing race configuration; a design configuration invented by Geoffrey Owen. This design consists of three balls which form a triangle in a close running journal, with a fourth sphere pushing down into the center of the triangle, forming a tetrahedral array. In this way the bearings are dynamically balanced around a point of zero potential. This results in that absolute minimal friction levels possible in a captured bearing, yet it also ensures point contact on all surfaces.
All this technical stuff means that Helius tonearms offer the best control of vibrations and kinetic energy of any tonearms in their class. In addition to the superior bearing design, Helius tonearms feature the extensive use of differential mass and clever bracing, which further control the potential for extraneous energy that can degrade reproduced sound.
The current range of Helius tonearms offers excellent value and wonderful performance. There is a model to fit nearly any budget and performance level. All Helius tonearm models are designed to aid in producing tremendous soundstaging and clarity of sound due to their exceptional control of vibrations and kinetic energy.
Helius offers selected mechanical and electrical upgrades to some models, and also offers trade-in value for some older models on new Helius tonearms. Call or email us to tell us what you have and we will explain your options to you.
We use Helius tonearms here at Osage Audio Products and we like the price-to-performance value that we offer. Please call us at 573-696-3551 or email us at info@audiointelligent.com to learn more about this exceptional line of tonearms. By the way, they work great on Clearaudio turntables.
The Omega Standard offers far beyond standard performance, and does it at a reasonable price.
Available in versions with pure OFC copper wiring or pure silver Litz wiring, the Omega Standard is a versatile tonearm. Other performance features include dynamic balancing, differential mass damping, and non-coincident bearings. The Omega also features a convenient detachable headshell as an option with the pure copper wired version. The Omega tonearm wiring is terminated with female RCA plugs in a terminal block which made use of the Omega with a sprung-suspension turntable easy. Available with an effective length of ten inches.
The Omega Standard offers true high-end performance at a moderate price.
Retail Price:
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-With Pure Copper Internal Wire: $3695.00 |
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-With Pure Silver Litz Internal Wire: $3895.00 |
Call or email us for pricing for the detachable headshell version. Spare detachable headshells and minor counterweights of other weight values are available as special order items. For more information, delivery lead times, and pricing, please contact us at 573-696-3551 or customer_service@audiointelligent.com.
The Omega Silver Ruby is the pinnacle of design and performance in the Helius line and rates among the very best tonearms available.
Featuring a high performance bearing comprised of twelve large rubies and cryogenically treated pure silver wiring, the Omega Silver Ruby is among the top performing tonearms available today.
The Omega Silver Ruby is available in either a 10 inch or 12 inch effective length features a handy main/ minor counterweight system that makes fine adjustment of VTF easier. The Omega Silver Ruby also features tonearm wiring that is terminated with female RCA plugs in a terminal block which makes use of the tonearm with a sprung-suspension turntable easy.
The Omega Silver Ruby is a true world-class performer.
Retail Price:
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-10 Inch Effective Length Version: $5525.00 |
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-12 Inch Effective Length Version: $6500.00 |
Please specify tonearm length desired when ordering.
Spare minor counterweights of other weight values are available as special order items. For more information, delivery lead times, and pricing, please contact us at 573-696-3551 or customer_service@audiointelligent.com.
The Helius Phaedra is an all out assault on the state-of-the-art of tonearm design.
Geoffrey Owen has raised the bar for tonearm performance with the new Helius Phaedra.
Available in both 10 inch and 12 inch versions, the Phaedra features advanced silicon nitride bearings and your choice of either cryogenically treated silver Litz wire, or cryogenically treated single crystal copper wire.
The Phaedra is at home on any turntable on the market today and will offer performance on par with any other tonearm on the market, and does so at a price that is much lower than most.
Retail Price:
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-10 Inch Effective Length Version: $6525.00 |
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-12 Inch Effective Length Version: $7495.00 |
Please specify tonearm length desired when ordering.
Spare minor counterweights of other weight values are available as special order items. For more information, delivery lead times, and pricing, please contact us at 573-696-3551 or customer_service@audiointelligent.com. |
