This is the Transparent Turntable, a high-end modular turntable with minimalist style

Stockholm-based Transparent makes a lot of minimalist audio tech. For the first time, they’ve released their very own turntable, and it’s mouthwateringly gorgeous. The transparent tempered glass cover lays atop an aluminum body (“meticulously crafted” in either black or white), and it looks like it comfortably fits right along with Transparent’s lineup of high-end speakers — which use similarly minimalistic design elements.

From a technical standpoint, it’s also just a really nice, modern turntable with plenty of gadgetry for today’s hi-fi enthusiast. The preinstalled Elliptical Diamond Ortofon OM Stylus 5E provides warm and rich sound quality, though it can also be swapped out for fancier stylus models or replaced once it wears out. In fact, the entire build is designed for modularity, including its SME-compatible headshell mount.

Designer: Per Brickstad (via Transparent)

The tech specs are pretty impressive on the performance front as well. Its low speed variance means it should play vinyl records more accurately for a smoother sound. It’s geared up with digital optical and analog inputs as well as Bluetooth 5.0 support via its Qualcomm CSR8670C chip, which basically translates to high-fidelity audio output at a low latency even when playing MP3 files directly from your phone.

The built-in 20-25,000Hz +3 / -3 frequency range is also reasonably wide for a hi-fi audio component of the Transparent Turntable’s caliber, meaning it can process rich, deep bass and bring out the crispness of higher frequencies. For instance, when playing a song containing a mixture of low bass, high woodwinds, and additional sounds placed further out to the edges of the soundstage, the Transparent Turntable should be able to accurately reproduce all of that detail without crunching the mid-range.

It looks like everything from its groovy (literally) tonearm right down to its gold-plated contacts are built with high-quality materials and peculiar attention to detail. The unit is also relatively low-profile, weighing only 14 lbs and using a maximum of 15W of electricity per hour. That makes it easy to stick into an eco-friendly household, or even take with you on the road in a minimalistic tiny home.

The Transparent Turntable costs $1,300 on the Transparent website, and you can order it now — ahead of its estimated shipment window in mid-November.

This is the Transparent Turntable, a high-end modular turntable with minimalist style

Stockholm-based Transparent makes a lot of minimalist audio tech. For the first time, they’ve released their very own turntable, and it’s mouthwateringly gorgeous. The transparent tempered glass cover lays atop an aluminum body (“meticulously crafted” in either black or white), and it looks like it comfortably fits right along with Transparent’s lineup of high-end speakers — which use similarly minimalistic design elements.

From a technical standpoint, it’s also just a really nice, modern turntable with plenty of gadgetry for today’s hi-fi enthusiast. The preinstalled Elliptical Diamond Ortofon OM Stylus 5E provides warm and rich sound quality, though it can also be swapped out for fancier stylus models or replaced once it wears out. In fact, the entire build is designed for modularity, including its SME-compatible headshell mount.

Designer: Per Brickstad (via Transparent)

The tech specs are pretty impressive on the performance front as well. Its low speed variance means it should play vinyl records more accurately for a smoother sound. It’s geared up with digital optical and analog inputs as well as Bluetooth 5.0 support via its Qualcomm CSR8670C chip, which basically translates to high-fidelity audio output at a low latency even when playing MP3 files directly from your phone.

The built-in 20-25,000Hz +3 / -3 frequency range is also reasonably wide for a hi-fi audio component of the Transparent Turntable’s caliber, meaning it can process rich, deep bass and bring out the crispness of higher frequencies. For instance, when playing a song containing a mixture of low bass, high woodwinds, and additional sounds placed further out to the edges of the soundstage, the Transparent Turntable should be able to accurately reproduce all of that detail without crunching the mid-range.

It looks like everything from its groovy (literally) tonearm right down to its gold-plated contacts are built with high-quality materials and peculiar attention to detail. The unit is also relatively low-profile, weighing only 14 lbs and using a maximum of 15W of electricity per hour. That makes it easy to stick into an eco-friendly household, or even take with you on the road in a minimalistic tiny home.

The Transparent Turntable costs $1,300 on the Transparent website, and you can order it now — ahead of its estimated shipment window in mid-November.

This Pink Floyd-themed turntable is a limited edition LED backlit gem

HiFi audio systems have always been catered to music aficionados first and foremost, but even if you aren’t a huge fan of collecting and listening to vinyl records, it’s tough not to appreciate the pristine quality and attention to detail Pro-Ject Audio Systems placed into its newest limited edition turntable, named “The Dark Side of the Moon” after Pink Floyd’s 1973 album of the same name.

Designer: Heinz Lichtenegger (via Pro-Ject Audio Systems)

You can have any color you like, as long as it’s rainbow. The classic Pink Floyd cover art is connotative with the band’s infamous legacy, and is widely known as one of the most easily recognizable pieces of artwork from the heyday of British rock during the 1970s. Pro-Ject’s exclusive edition turntable elegantly mimics that iconic artwork with an integrated custom rainbow LED, brightly shining a multitude of colors onto nearby surfaces and illuminating the glass platter and intricately-shaped plinth beneath.

Pro-Ject didn’t just make The Dark Side of the Moon as a collector’s item for decoration alone, even though it would make a fantastic addition to any dedicated vinyl collector’s stash. The rest of this limited edition turntable’s build quality is equally impressive – as its outward design would suggest – containing high-quality materials throughout. Its build includes a 28mm MDF plinth, 8.6″ acryllic tonearm, a 10mm heavy glass platter, gold-plated RCA cable connectors, an aluminum sub-platter, and a bevy of internal features like electronic speed control for the belt drive and a dimmable switch for the rainbow LED.

It’s unlikely that too many of these turntables will be constructed and sold, meaning you’ll want to pre-order soon if you want to get your hands on one. Granted, the reason this turntable is so limited is that it isn’t being manufactured en masse. Pro-Ject states that “the new ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ turntable is carefully designed and handmade in Europe. Due to the design & superior materials our turntables are built for eternity.”

If you’re waiting for someone (or something) to show you the way to this limited edition turntable, don’t fret: The Dark Side of the Moon is listed for $1999 on Pro-Ject’s official web store, where it is still available to pre-order for a limited amount of time. Shipping within the United States is set to begin during November, when the waxy warmth of vinyl records – for instance, a vinyl copy of The Dark Side of the Moon – played through this unique audio system could be an especially welcome way to tick away those cold, mid-autumn days leading up to the holiday season.

This digital – analog hybrid turntable brings the retro gadget to the modern age

Parties with DJs spinning aren’t exactly my cup of tea. I prefer to listen to a band or to have the music just be in the background while I get to talk and relax with people. But of course there are a lot of people who prefer to have a DJ spin some tunes and dance along to various songs that they’re mixing. Nowadays, most DJs prefer using digital tools and platforms but there are still some that prefer the feel and sound of analog tools. What if you could have the best of both worlds in one device?

Designer: Pioneer

Pioneer has been a, well, pioneer in the DJ world with its various turntables and analog decks. Even with the advent of digital tools, they’re still pushing analog turntables but now they’re also adding something to the mix, so to speak. The PLX-CRSS12 is a hybrid turntable that brings the best of both worlds with its digital-analog option. It is actually the world’s first turntable that offers analog record playback as well as tone-arm-free DVS control. These are important features for DJs who want to still use “old school” vinyls but also some of the convenience that digital platforms employ.

When a DJ uses the Digital Vinyl mode, the Magvel clamp holds the record in place so you won’t scratch the record and at the same time control the digital music file. They say that the experience is actually similar to using the other vinyl platforms that Pioneer offers. You can also adjust the “weight” of the record without having to change slip mats or slip sheets, which is convenient if you’re in the middle of mixing or spinning.

The PLX-CRSS12 has a lot of other features that should be useful for the DJ who wants both analog and digital. You get things like a switch to adjust the timing of the turntable when you press stop, built-in MIDI-mappable Performance Pads, built-in OLED display, and high-quality sound reproduction. It comes in a matte black color with some color details in the buttons. It looks pretty classy and cool and has several customizable features as well so it should match what the DJ needs and what he would like his system to look like.

A sustainably-designed turntable that is as thoughtful as it is powerful vinyl player

Vinyl turntables have been enjoying a resurgence over the past years. For older people, nostalgia is the main reason and a desire to listen to music in its “purest” form. For younger people who were not alive in the heyday of record listening parties and vinyl records, it may be curiosity but also there’s something really different about listening to uncompressed music not on your phones or computers. This newest turntable from the House of Marley brings elegance, sound quality, and sustainability to your listening experience.

Designer: House of Marley

The Stir It Up Lux Bluetooth Turntable is a fitting tribute to the iconic Bob Marley. It has an improved sound quality from their other turntables with its bamboo plinth, glass platter, replaceable Audio-Technica 95E elliptical stylus, and a double-sided cork slipmat to make it more fun. It also has Bluetooth connectivity so you can partner it with speakers and other devices. The tracking ability has also been improved because of the lightweight aluminum headshell and tonearm.

Because it is made from solid bamboo plinth and there is a glass platter, the denser turntable is able to give a cleaner and more accurate sound since it is able to absorb motor and bearing noise. What’s also important is that the Stir It Up turntable has a focus on sustainability. It uses bamboo which is one of the fastest growing plants and aluminum and glass are “infinitely recyclable”. It also uses cork made from stripped-down bark.

Another unique thing for this turntable is that it has a double sided slipmat. One side is just a simple black cork but the other is a zoetrope side with vibrant color and mesmerizing graphics, reminiscent of Mr. Marley himself. It is priced at $399.99 but there are also bundles available that can include Bluetooth speakers. Every time someone buys one, the company will donate something to Project Marley which supports global reforestation with the One Tree Planted campaign.