Since their hey day in the 60s and 70s the turntable has gone through several design iterations from ingenious designs that informed the modern record player of today, to the ‘out there’ creations that belong in art galleries.
Spin That Thing
At Peter Tyson we’re pleased to see that the spirit of invention and art is still alive today in turntable production. The huge fandom of some legendary bands has given birth to all sorts of products, and the relentless pursuit of isolating the record player from interference means we have some eye-popping products here in our stores both in looks and cost.
For many the classic rectangular platform with a circular platter on top is absolutely their aesthetic and all they’ll ever need. The great thing now is you can have whatever upgrades suit your wallet and often a wide selection of colour choices thanks to Pro-Ject Audio’s wide range of turntables.
However, if you’re after a statement piece or the most cutting-edge turntable to spin your beloved record collection on, then sit back and discover these head-turning record players:
We’ve Been... Thunderstruck
AC/DC are the ultimate guitar band with legions of passionate fans worldwide, but translating their legacy into a turntable sounds like a highway to hell. But hells bells, the result shoots to thrill with this thunderbolt design with an opaque red platter and thunderbolt tone arm.
What’s amazing is Pro-Ject Audio have brought the Aussie rockers spirit to life with this killer deck, one that even those unfamiliar with AC/DC would love.
A Classic Cover Reimagined
There arguably isn’t a more recognizable album cover than Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’. It’s one of the most successful albums of all time, and to mark its 50th anniversary in 2023 Pro-Ject Audio released an incredibly unique turntable inspired by the artwork.
It’s wild in its imagination, with the main platform representing the triangular prism with an LED back lit rainbow shooting from it supporting a very discreet tone arm. It’s the ultimate homage to the album that made Pink Floyd a household name for generations. Playing ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ on this turntable is about as meta as it gets for any Pink Floyd fan and seeing it in real life is really special.
For “Avid” Music Lovers
Avid stands out as a turntable manufacturer with a distinctive design ethic. Their turntables always aim to minimise vibration, with external power supplies for their higher end models and a system on all models that clamps the record to the platter to eliminate as much vibration as possible.
The Ingenium is their entry level plug and play model that can be out of the box and play records in ten minutes and deliver an excellent experience.
Their Acutus Reference player is master engineered to the highest specifications, with hand-built AC motors, a dual operation clamp mechanism and 10kg chrome plated aluminum platter.
No matter which one suits your wallet, any of Avid’s turntables are sure to make a bold and lasting impression both in sound and looks.
The Bleeding Edge of Hi-Fi in Glasgow
Scotland has given the world the telephone and the television. So, it’s no surprise that up the motorway from our Carlisle store lies one of the world’s cutting-edge hi-fi manufacturers.
Linn is renowned in hi-fi for its unparalleled commitment to pushing boundaries and producing the finest audio equipment you can buy, and it all started with the invention of the Sondek LP12 turntable.
50+ years later and the LP12 is still coveted by audiophiles the world over thanks to its long-lasting upgradeability. Also, their pioneering design isolates the sub platter from the base whilst keeping the platter connected to the tone arm. Isolating the sub chassis keeps vibrations from outside the turntable affecting playback and keeping the tonearm connected to the platter ensures they don’t get out of alignment with one another.
These days LP12 comes in a range of configurations to cater to different budgets.
The Majik LP12 is an ideal starting point at £3,700 and comes in a wide choice of colours. The range climbs in price and refinement from there with several upgrades that make noticeable improvements to the sound.
In 2023 Linn marked the 50th anniversary of the Sondek LP12 by releasing the LP12-50, a collaborative project between Linn and former Apple lead designer Jonny Ive. The result is astounding, along with the price. It’s the absolute pinnacle of turntable design reserved for those with an unfathomable love for music and deep pockets.
Form or Function?
It’s inarguable that turntables both function and form to create not just a player for your records, but a work of design genius that in some cases could be classed as art. Whether it shouts it loudly like the band inspired players featured here or is a pinnacle of refinement like the Linn LP12-50, each line and curve, and the tactile nature of the vinyl record itself make the turntable timeless.
If you’re looking to unlock the true potential of your vinyl record collection, try out one of the turntables we’ve featured here at one of our stores, or shop for a great range of other players on our website.