Audio T Verdict
The Aurora may be the starting point in Origin Live's turntable range, but very little about it feels entry level. It uses the same fundamental thinking found further up the range, with careful attention paid to motor control, bearing friction, vibration management, suspension and the relationship between the platter and tonearm.
The Mk5 generation brings Origin Live's latest motor power supply together with the DC100 motor, while the platter runs on an in-house bearing using a tungsten carbide ball and hardened thrust pad. The tonearm mounting is also decoupled from the main plinth as part of a suspended sub-chassis arrangement.
Crucially, this version is supplied without a tonearm. That gives you the freedom to choose an Origin Live arm such as the Onyx, Silver or Zephyr, or specify a compatible alternative. For someone who wants to build a serious vinyl front end around their own choice of arm and cartridge, the Aurora Mk5 is a very appealing place to start.
Origin Live Aurora Mk5 Turntable
The Aurora Mk5 is Origin Live's entry point into its current range of complete high-performance turntables.
Designed and manufactured in Southampton, it combines a separate motor pod, belt drive, servo-controlled Mk5 power supply, low-friction main bearing, suspended sub-chassis and decoupled tonearm mounting.
This Audio T version is supplied without a tonearm or cartridge, allowing the deck to be configured around your preferred analogue front end.
Mk5 Motor Power Supply
One of the key changes introduced with the Mk5 range is Origin Live's revised motor power supply.
The Mk5 design uses a new PCB and control circuitry developed to improve rotational stability and reduce issues such as speed drift, motor jitter and cogging.
Both main vinyl playback speeds are selected from the controller:
There is no need to move the belt onto a different pulley position when changing between 33? and 45 rpm.
What Changed with Mk5?
The Mk5 Aurora replaces the previous Light Speed Controller generation with Origin Live's newer motor power supply and control electronics. The aim is greater speed stability while further reducing unwanted motor behaviour that can find its way into the turntable structure.
DC100 Swiss Motor
The Aurora uses Origin Live's DC100 motor, which is also used across several turntables further up the current Mk5 range.
Origin Live specifies a high-grade Swiss motor with an ironless core. Eliminating an iron core helps reduce eddy-current effects and cogging behaviour, while the motor itself is mechanically decoupled to reduce vibration passing into the turntable.
The result is a drive system developed around smooth rotation and consistent speed rather than simply applying as much motor torque as possible.
Origin Live Belt and Pulley
The drive belt is manufactured in-house by Origin Live using a specially selected material rather than conventional neoprene rubber.
The material is chosen to increase grip and minimise stretching when the platter load changes.
The motor pulley is also made from a carefully selected polymer material. Origin Live found through development that the material and profile of the pulley have a significant influence on how effectively energy is transferred through the belt.
Ultra-Low-Friction Mk5 Bearing
The Aurora's main bearing is manufactured in-house and forms an important part of the Mk5 design.
The platter spindle runs on a tungsten carbide ball bearing centred on a hardened thrust pad, with the bearing designed to maintain very low friction and vibration over a long service life.
Origin Live deliberately uses a mechanically grounded bearing rather than floating the platter magnetically or pneumatically. Its design philosophy is based around providing a controlled path for unwanted energy to leave the platter rather than trapping it within the record-playing system.
Suspended Sub-Chassis
The Aurora uses Origin Live's distinctive suspension system rather than mounting the platter bearing and tonearm rigidly to a conventional one-piece plinth.
A substantial sub-chassis carries the bearing and armboard, with the assembly decoupled from the outer turntable structure.
The armboard, platter and bearing housing are designed to work as a mechanically balanced system, while the suspension helps control vibration travelling between the supporting surface, motor, platter and tonearm.
Decoupled Standard Armboard
The standard Aurora armboard is mechanically decoupled from the rest of the turntable and forms part of the suspended sub-chassis structure.
Origin Live tonearms can be fitted directly, including suitable versions of the:
- Origin Live Onyx
- Origin Live Silver
- Origin Live Zephyr
- Origin Live Encounter
- Origin Live Illustrious
- Origin Live Conqueror
- Origin Live Enterprise
- Origin Live Agile
- Origin Live Renown
Compatible Rega tonearms can also be accommodated, depending on their mounting system.
This Version Does Not Include a Tonearm
The Aurora listed here is the no-arm version. A tonearm and cartridge must therefore be selected separately before the turntable can be used.
Speak to Audio T if you would like the deck supplied and set up with a suitable Origin Live arm and cartridge.
9.5-Inch and 12-Inch Tonearm Options
The standard Aurora configuration is intended for Origin Live's conventional 9 to 9.5-inch tonearms.
A dedicated 12-inch sub-chassis can be specified when ordering the turntable for customers who want to use a 12-inch Origin Live arm.
This is more involved than simply replacing an armboard because the arm mounting forms part of the turntable's sub-chassis structure. Origin Live therefore recommends specifying the 12-inch arrangement when ordering rather than treating it as a simple later bolt-on modification.
Other manufacturers' 12-inch arms may require special consideration, so compatibility should be confirmed before ordering.
Aurora Platter
The Aurora uses Origin Live's standard platter rather than the Multi-Layer Platter fitted to the current Swift and models further up the Mk5 range.
That distinction is worth knowing when comparing the two models. The Swift is closely related to the Aurora mechanically but adds Origin Live's Multi-Layer Platter as part of its standard specification.
Aurora Mk5
- Standard platter
- DC100 motor
- Mk5 Motor Power Supply
- Standard armboard
Swift Mk5
- Multi-Layer Platter
- DC100 motor
- Mk5 Motor Power Supply
- Standard armboard
Built in Southampton
Origin Live is based in Southampton and carries out product design, development, manufacture and assembly in-house, with the company manufacturing the majority of its turntable components itself.
This includes important precision components such as the main bearing, allowing Origin Live to control machining, material selection and final assembly rather than relying entirely on bought-in turntable assemblies.
Dimensions and Installation
Because the Aurora uses an offset motor pod and cantilevered structure, the physical space required depends slightly on the tonearm configuration.
- Minimum support footprint: 40 x 29cm
- Overall size with 9.5-inch arm: 49 x 36 x 17cm
- Overall size with 12-inch arm: 55 x 36 x 17cm
- Turntable weight: 10.3kg
- Packaged weight: 12kg
- Shipping dimensions: 60 x 45 x 16cm
A rigid and level equipment support is recommended. As with any high-performance turntable, keeping the deck away from direct loudspeaker vibration will help the cartridge work under more stable mechanical conditions.
UK Power Specification
Origin Live configures its turntables for the mains supply of the destination country.
For the UK, the Aurora is configured for 220-240V mains operation. A separate 110V configuration is used for applicable overseas markets.
The Mk5 power supply and motor are supplied as part of the turntable package.
Key Features
- Origin Live Aurora Mk5
- No tonearm included
- No cartridge included
- Belt-drive turntable
- 33? rpm playback
- 45 rpm playback
- Electronic speed selection
- Mk5 Motor Power Supply
- DC100 Swiss motor
- Ironless-core motor design
- Mechanically decoupled motor
- Origin Live in-house drive belt
- Special polymer motor pulley
- Mk5 ultra-low-friction bearing
- Tungsten carbide bearing ball
- Hardened thrust pad
- Suspended sub-chassis
- Decoupled standard armboard
- Origin Live tonearm compatibility
- Compatible Rega arm support
- Optional 12-inch Origin Live arm configuration
- 40 x 29cm minimum support footprint
- 10.3kg turntable weight
- UK 220-240V configuration
- Designed in Southampton
- Manufactured predominantly in-house
- Five-year turntable warranty against manufacturing defects
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Origin Live Aurora Mk5 include a tonearm?
No. This is the no-arm version, allowing you to choose a suitable tonearm separately.
Does it include a cartridge?
No. A cartridge will need to be selected to suit the tonearm and phono stage used with the turntable.
Which Origin Live arms can I use?
The Aurora is designed to accept Origin Live tonearms, from models such as the Onyx, Silver and Zephyr upwards. The most appropriate choice depends on budget, cartridge and the level of performance you want from the complete system.
Can I fit a Rega tonearm?
Yes. Origin Live states that compatible Rega tonearms can be fitted, although the exact mounting arrangement depends on the particular Rega model.
Can I fit a 12-inch tonearm?
Yes, but a dedicated 12-inch sub-chassis arrangement should normally be specified when the turntable is ordered. This is primarily intended for Origin Live 12-inch tonearms.
What speeds does the Aurora Mk5 support?
33? and 45 rpm.
Do I have to move the belt to change speed?
No. Speed is selected through the Mk5 motor controller.
What motor does the Aurora Mk5 use?
Origin Live specifies its DC100 high-grade Swiss motor with an ironless core and mechanical decoupling.
What is different about the Mk5 power supply?
The Mk5 Motor Power Supply uses revised control electronics and a new PCB developed to improve speed stability and reduce motor-related effects such as drift, jitter and cogging.
What bearing does the Aurora use?
The Mk5 bearing is manufactured in-house and uses a tungsten carbide ball running against a hardened thrust pad.
Is the Aurora suspended?
Yes. Origin Live uses a proprietary suspended and decoupled sub-chassis arrangement carrying the platter bearing and tonearm mounting.
Does the Aurora Mk5 have the Multi-Layer Platter?
No. The current Aurora uses Origin Live's standard platter. The Multi-Layer Platter is fitted as standard to the Swift and models above it in the current range.
What is the difference between the Aurora and Swift?
The two share several important elements, including the DC100 motor and Mk5 power supply. The Swift's major step up is the addition of Origin Live's Multi-Layer Platter.
How much does the Aurora weigh?
Origin Live specifies a turntable weight of 10.3kg.
How much space does it need?
The minimum supporting surface is approximately 40 x 29cm. Overall dimensions with a typical 9.5-inch arm are approximately 49 x 36 x 17cm.
Is it made in the UK?
Yes. Origin Live is based in Southampton, England and carries out its design, development, manufacturing and assembly in-house, with most turntable components manufactured by the company itself.
What voltage is the UK version?
Origin Live specifies a 220-240V configuration for countries including the UK, with the turntable configured for its destination market.
What warranty does the Aurora have?
Origin Live provides a five-year warranty against manufacturing defects on its turntables. A separately purchased tonearm has its own warranty terms.
Complete Your Origin Live Turntable
Why Buy Origin Live From Audio T?
The Aurora is intentionally supplied without an arm, which makes choosing the right combination particularly important. Audio T can help match the turntable with an appropriate Origin Live tonearm, cartridge and phono stage and make sure the complete package is assembled and adjusted correctly.
- Origin Live turntable demonstrations
- Tonearm matching
- Cartridge selection
- Professional cartridge alignment
- Tracking-force and anti-skate setup
- Phono-stage matching
- Turntable levelling and installation
- 9.5-inch and 12-inch arm guidance
- Turntable isolation advice
- Upgrade advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss the right Origin Live Aurora Mk5 tonearm, cartridge and phono-stage combination for your system.