EAT Forte S with C-Note Tonearm - Macassar - No Cartridge

Massive by Design, Built to Take Your Own Cartridge

The EAT Forte S is the compact sibling of EAT's original, larger Forte turntable — a single-chassis design rather than the original's separate dual-motor housing. At roughly 97 pounds total, "compact" is relative, but the Forte S trades some of the big Forte's mass for a more manageable footprint without giving up its playback philosophy.

This package ships without a cartridge. Mount one you already own, or select a cartridge to match your system and budget — a common choice among owners who already have a reference-level cartridge in mind. It's currently offered only in the Macassar finish.

A hinged dust cover is included to keep dust off the platter and tonearm between sessions. The C-Note tonearm's full adjustment range keeps both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges on the table as options.

Mass, Magnets, and a Dual-Motor Drive

A Smaller Platter, Magnetically Suspended

The platter shrinks from the original Forte's 15.75 inches to 14.2 inches, and its weight drops from 44 pounds to 33 — still enough mass to resist speed variations. Sorbothane damping lines the inner side, and a mat made from recycled vinyl damps the outer side.

An inverted bearing rides a ceramic ball against a Teflon thrust plate, with two large neodymium magnets suspending much of the platter's weight. That magnetic support takes pressure off the bearing itself, reducing both mechanical noise and long-term wear.

Two Motors, One Set of Matched Belts

Two AC motors sit symmetrically beside the platter, driving it through a pair of equal-length belts — unlike the original Forte's offset dual-belt design, which needs two different belt lengths. A three-position panel selects 33.3rpm, 45rpm, or off electronically.

Four height-adjustable magnetic feet act as a mass-loaded sub-chassis, isolating the whole turntable from vibration coming up through the equipment rack, the floor, and even nearby loudspeakers playing at volume.

The 10-Inch EAT C-Note Tonearm

C-Note combines a unipivot's low friction with the stability of a Cardan gimbal, in a carbon-fiber tube with an aluminum headshell. Silicone-based internal damping cuts tonearm and cartridge resonance by more than half.

Tracking force, anti-skating, and vertical tracking angle all adjust, so the C-Note tonearm can accommodate a wide range of premium moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges beyond the ones EAT offers pre-packaged.

Who Is This Turntable Best For?

• You already own a reference-level cartridge — mount it on the fully adjustable C-Note tonearm rather than paying for one you don't need
• You want the freedom to choose moving-magnet or moving-coil — the tonearm's adjustment range keeps both options open
• You want extreme mass and magnetic suspension working for you — the Forte S's whole design is built around controlling vibration
• You have a rigid equipment rack rated for real weight — this is a heavy turntable, and the rack matters as much as the table
• You want genuine Macassar ebony — a real wood veneer, with the cartridge choice left open to you

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The Forte S has no built-in phono preamp, so its RCA output always needs an external phono stage — moving-magnet or moving-coil, matched to whichever cartridge you install.

Setup is a two-person job: fitting the platter, belts, and counterweight, leveling the magnetic feet, then mounting and aligning your chosen cartridge. Professional installation is recommended.

Pairs Well With

Where the Forte S goes from here:

• Phono cartridges — the fully adjustable C-Note tonearm is ready for whatever reference cartridge you choose
• Phono preamplifiers — required for playback, since the Forte S has no phono stage built in
• Audio racks — a rigid, level shelf rated for the Forte S's full weight is not optional here
• Record cleaning machines — a clean record surface matters even more with a cartridge this resolving

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Forte S come with a cartridge?

This package ships without a cartridge, so you can install one you already own or select a new one to match your system.

Does it have a built-in phono preamp?

An external phono preamp is required, chosen to match whichever cartridge you install — there is none built in.

How do I change between 33⅓ and 45 rpm?

Use the three-position panel next to the platter to select 33.3rpm, 45rpm, or off — there's no belt to move.

Can I get the no-cartridge version in Piano Black?

Not currently. The no-cartridge package is offered only in the Macassar finish; Piano Black is available with the Jo No. 5 or Jo No. 8 cartridge pre-installed.

Does the turntable need a special stand?

Yes. At roughly 97 pounds, the Forte S needs a rigid, level equipment rack rated to support its weight — a lightweight shelf or wall-mounted platform generally isn't suitable.

See It in Action

GRAMOPHONE walks through the Forte S in a smaller room setup:

Kronos AV, with UK distributor Henley Audio, reviews the Forte S in depth:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, cartridge selection, or phono preamps? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.