Merrill Heirloom

About the Merrill Heirloom

The Merrill Heirloom turntable, introduced in 1980, was a pioneering design in high-end analog playback. It features a cast iron pod base, an acrylic sub-chassis, and a lead-damped acrylic record support platter with an aluminum-impregnated inner platter. It incorporates a constant resonance tuning system to manage and dissipate energy effectively, preventing resonance from affecting sound quality. The motor is fluid-damped and quartz-controlled with digital motor drive options in later versions. The design includes a periphery clamping ring for record stability. Approximately 975 units were produced until 1995. The Heirloom was highly regarded for its natural, detailed, and relaxed sound, avoiding common issues like mid-bass warmth or blurring, and delivering excellent bass definition and transparency. It remains a respected classic with available upgrades and replacement parts.