Acrylic turntables like the Basis 1400, Oracle Delphi, Transrotor....Add led lighting...
Most beautiful turntable under $5k
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but thought this might be a fun topic. Obviously the most important thing about audio gear is how it sounds, but I find some of it truly beautiful to look at too, particularly turntables, which almost by necessity are best placed somewhere on display. Some days I love the simplicity of something like the Clearaudio Concept Wood (particularly the dark wood)….other days the “audio jewelry” appearance of EAT or VPI. My personal vote, however, would go to the Gold Note Pianosa. For me it has a timeless beauty and elegance that’s never over the top. I can’t imagine ever tiring of looking at in and think it would look great with a wide array of decor.
What would be your personal choice for most beautiful turntable under $5k? What about cost-no-object options?
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For me, the combination of the plinth, platter, motor, and arm have to make their own statements, but still come together visually and musically. And for me, no one does that better than VPI. In their own way VPI are as iconically American designs as Harley-Davidson - Big, beefy (22Lb platter!!), modular, and upgradeable. And I have no issues setting up a JMW 3D Unipivot 10.5. It tracks my medium compliance Hana very nicely, running a Shibata or Microline stylus with noticeably fewer high-end issues than a shorter arm. |
Exposed belts look ridiculous. Rega P8 is the coolest looking modern TT design without looking like it belongs in a physics lab. Perfect minimalist design. Obviously not the choice if you are going for a furniture look. Not a fan of the white ceramic platter on the slightly better sounding P10, but I would take one for the better sound in a NY minute, except it costs almost double and exceeds the $5K limit. |
I realize you're probably excluding custom tables, but someone above mentioned Lenco in custom plinths so a shoutout to Jean Nantais of TJN analog who does beautiful woodwork for his custom rebuilt Lencos. Most are under $5K--i bought one of his "Steampunk" rebuilds on A'gon a couple years back and it's pretty cool--never fails to get comments from everyone who sees it. Here's his picture Gallery:
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I agree with Nandric. I recommend de gustibus, because non est disputandum. Thanks to many others for the photos of beautiful vintage turntables that I'd forgotten about. The Empire and the B&O are exceptional examples of beautiful industrial design. If you can find a B&O TT that still works perfectly, and if you can pair it with either a B&O MMC1 or MMC2, you would have a great combo of beauty and high function. (I think of the Empire turntable from memory as having been a bit noisy due to audible rumble, I think.) Atma-sphere sell a modified and upgraded Empire that might be great. I also nominate the Thorens TD125, still a very modern and chic piece of gear and desirable if operating properly. They had problems with electronics, but mine didn't while I owned it. Beautiful and awful is the Transcriptors Reference with Vestigial tonearm. Look but don't use. |
Looks are very important. No need for apologies at all. My axe to grind is that it is not, or rather should not, be a beauty vs performance continuum. Rather they are not mutually exclusive and I say: Why not both? Another vote for the Technics 1200 series. It is not surprising to see so many clones of the iconic design. Amongst the older series the SL1210Mk5 is a real looker. The new ones are all jewelry. |
@ghdprentice , rosenut is stained birch. It is considerably softer and less expensive than any species of rosewood. Wood is actually a great material to make a plinth out of as in thicker sections it does not resonate. If you tap on it you just get a dull thud. Sonus Faber does make beautiful speakers and compared to Magico and Wilson are a great value. If I were a point source kind of guy I would definitely go for them. The Montegiro is not only butte ugly it is also poorly designed. They will not sell many of them. I am debating making a new plinth for the Sota. Frankly, the workmanship and finish are not as good as the older units. They have always been made to a price which is a reasonable thing to do bringing high performance at a more modest cost was David Fletcher's goal. He left the flashy stuff to AJ Conte. The Basis Inspiration is IMHO a classy table with impeccable performance to match. I would get mine in black. https://www.basisaudio.com/inspiration
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The Montegiro Lusso is certainly out standing… for me not in a good way. To me, it is actually the worst looking table I have ever seen. But it is completely personal tastes. I am very fond of wood and gravitate towards traditional elegant. Hence I own a Linn Rosewood (called rosenut). And Sonus Faber Amati Traditional violin Red speakers.
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I have 2 toddlers and know exactly what you mean. That’s why I ditched my Thorens and Mag Lev that didn’t get much use because of the situation - instead got the 1200G that is living and breathing in my living room and gets lots of use now due to it’s neat design. I simply close the lid while playing when they run around, lot’s of fun on listening and dancing for them as well. The best feature: I use small load strap to keep the lid locked when not listening so they can’t stick their hands between to touch the tonearm and cartridge, I put the clamp on the other side of the table where they can’t reach - takes me 5 seconds to release it and stow aside the table and I am ready to play vinyl again. The solution is elegant, toddler safe yet a pure good looking hi-fi table :) |
I probably should have expected all the votes for vintage tables, but honestly didn’t. Glad to check out a few that were off my radar and be reminded of the beauty with some of the classics as well. I have definitely had my eye on that MoFi/Fender…it was on my shortlist for sure. Those SAM turntables, @miketuason, look awesome in a steam-punk kind of way that make me wonder if I’d be cool enough to have one. Had never heard of them before and no idea how the SAM sounds, but it’s definitely beautiful artwork and way cheaper than I expected upon first seeing a photo. If I didn’t have a toddler, that’s one I’d love to have on display in the living room or home office to just stare at even if it doesn’t sound great. The aforementioned toddler has me in a holding pattern, but when he’s old enough I look forward to moving my VPI Nomad into the living room for the whole family and upgrading to something great for my office system…until then I just get to look so thanks for all the eye candy you guys have shared. |
OK, that is a seriously beautiful turntable, particularly with the top down. I looked at some close ups and the fit and finish isn’t overwhelming. Kind of like a Hollywood star… drop dead gorgeous at a distance.
In the past what a turntable looks like hadn’t really entered the picture for me. But over the last few years I started enjoying good looking equipment. My Sonus Faber Amati speakers in violin red. I may have chosen my Linn LP 12 a bit for it’s simple elegance… and it sounds great.
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Fender (of all companies) is coming out with their first turntable in many years (and yes, they got their start with turntables before switching to musical instruments decades ago). It’s actually a project in conjunction with MoFi, drawing on their Ultra Deck line. It certainly is a head turner with that striking, sunset wood tone. It won’t be available until sometime in May and only 1000 will be made. $3500 |
