PU8 Reference Tonearm
A masterpiece of audio engineering.
The Audio Origami PU8 tonearm represents the culmination of more than two decades of tonearm design and refinement. Developed as the natural evolution of the highly regarded PU7, the PU8 advances every critical element of the design while preserving the stability and precision of our proven gimbal architecture.
At the heart of the PU8 is a newly engineered gimbal assembly designed for greater structural stability and control at the pivot. The gimbal housing is machined from a denser material to improve rigidity, working in conjunction with an enlarged Delrin bearing housing that enhances bearing support and reduces unwanted micro-movement at the pivot.
The armtube uses a constrained-layer carbon–aluminium composite construction, chosen for its excellent balance of rigidity and controlled energy dissipation. This structure is further refined by our Meta Material Arm Damping System, developed to manage energy within the arm while preserving the speed and clarity required for accurate groove tracing.
Together these design elements create a more stable and controlled platform for the cartridge. The increased effective mass, improved damping and greater structural integrity allow the stylus to track the groove with exceptional precision, revealing fine detail while maintaining tonal naturalness and musical coherence. By controlling resonances throughout the arm structure, the PU8 allows the cartridge to operate in a quieter mechanical environment, preserving subtle recorded information.
The result is a tonearm that combines high resolution with composure and balance, allowing cartridges to perform at their full potential while preserving the musical integrity of the recording.
Everything about the PU8 reflects a high level of meticulousness and concern for its appearance and feel.
I’ve also discovered that the articulation and agility provided ensure that even very fast-paced material is delivered in a way that imparts a sense of order and coherence to the music without compromising speed or the raw impact.
The SME cannot match the airiness and palpable three dimensionality that the PU8 delivers.
Ed Selley
Hi-Fi+ Magazine - January 2026
PU8 Reference Tonearm unique features...
One of the fundamental challenges in tonearm design is controlling resonance while maintaining complete stability at the cartridge pivot. The PU8 Reference addresses these challenges through a series of carefully engineered solutions.
Enhanced Material Damping
By using high-grade stainless steel in the gimbal, pillars and mount, the PU8 has increased mass in an area that doesn't alter effective arm mass but drastically improves resonance damping.
Carbon-Aluminum Armtube
By adhering an inner aluminium tube to an external carbon fibre tube, the new PU8 armtube is exceptionally well damped, stiff and light. This innovative design minimises resonance, ensuring a purer signal reaches your phono stage.
Improved Anti-Skate Device
The new PU8 anti-skate mechanism delivers meticulous cartridge performance across the entire surface of the record whilst keeping it away from the cue lever, making the arm easier to use.
Perfect Match for High-Performance Moving Coil Cartridges
The PU8 is designed to optimise the performance of your favourite low to medium compliance cartridges with compliance between 5cu and 15cu, unlocking their full potential.
Meta Material Armtube Damping System V2
Our next-generation M.M.A.D.S. effectively isolates internal vibrations, further enhancing clarity and detail by floating the internal wiring and blocking armtube resonance.
Future Proofed Modular Design
Due to the modular design of the PU8, it can be upgraded and supported for life, so if we make any enhancements to the design, you can apply them to your existing PU8.
Major Cartridge Lines Compatible With the PU8
Because the PU8’s effective mass can be customised at build from 17g to 30g, it can be optimised to work perfectly with all of the cartridges listed below.
Simple Summary
With customisable effective mass between 17g – 28g, the PU8 comfortably covers:
- Low-compliance cartridges
- Medium-low MC cartridges
- Most MM cartridges
In practice, the PU8 is compatible with around 80–90% of cartridges currently available. The effective mass can be tailored during the build process. When ordering, please let us know which cartridge or cartridges you intend to use, and we will optimise the effective mass accordingly. If you are unsure about your cartridge being compatible with the Audio Origami PU8, please email: stephen@audio-origami.co.uk to check.
PU8 Tonearm Specifications...
| 9 Inch PU8 Tonearm | |
|---|---|
| Effective Length | 9 inches or 9.45 inches |
| Effective Mass | Custom from 17g |
| Tonearm Type | Precision Gimbal |
| Mount | Rega / Linn |
| Base | Stainless Steel |
| Armtube | Composite Carbon Alloy |
| Headshell | Aluminium |
| Gimbal Housing | Delrin |
| VTA | Adjustable |
| Azimuth | Adjustable |
| Anti-Skate | Adjustable |
| Damping | Meta Material |
| Internal Wiring | Cardas Clear |
| External Wiring | Zavfino 5-Pin DIN |
| Counterweight | Threaded Steel |
| Colour | Silver and Black |
| Packaging | Cardboard and Foam |
| 12 Inch PU8 Tonearm | |
|---|---|
| Effective Length | 12 inches |
| Effective Mass | Custom from 19g |
| Tonearm Type | Precision Gimbal |
| Mount | Rega / Linn |
| Base | Stainless Steel |
| Armtube | Composite Carbon Alloy |
| Headshell | Aluminium |
| Gimbal Housing | Delrin |
| VTA | Adjustable |
| Azimuth | Adjustable |
| Anti-Skate | Adjustable |
| Damping | Meta Material |
| Internal Wiring | Cardas Clear |
| External Wiring | Zavfino 5-Pin DIN |
| Counterweight | Threaded Steel |
| Colour | Silver and Black |
| Packaging | Cardboard and Foam |
9" PU8 Tonearm with - £5950
12" PU8 Tonearm - £6350
Audio Origami do not sell new tonearms directly, we only sell through our carefully chosen dealer network. This ensures that the tonearm you choose matches your cartridge and is perfectly set up.
Please note that if there is no dealer in your country or region, you can buy direct from Audio Origami.