9 of the Most Interesting and Unique Turntables

Rounik Sethi on May 16, 2015 in News 0 comments

As vinyl records continue their surge in popularity, turntables are becoming more in demand again. Here are some expensive (and some cheap) options with unique visual design twists.  
Just how unique looking can a turntable be? At the end of the day it has to be roundish, have a needle and an arm and a motor, right... Not necessarily, thanks to the imaginative people out there who design and create weird and wonderful things. In this case turntables. Here's nine of our favourite designs to date (in no particular order)...

AudioWood Barkey

Audiowood Barky
There's something about wooden objects I personally love. Barky is a precision turntable that features a high-quality Rega parts kit, glass platter, RB303 arm and Rega Elys2 cartridge. The solid ash round base is finished with polyurethane and paste wax, and it has adjustable solid-brass spike feet.

AMG Viella V12

AMG Viella V12
AMG tells us that precision engineering and classic design are embodied in the first turntable from AMG (Analog Manufaktur Germany), the Viella 12 or simply, V12. The AMG turntable line was created by a group of audio industry experts to advance the art of vinyl playback. Plus they look incredible!

McIntosh MT5

McIntosh MT5 turntables

The McIntosh MT5 precision turntable is said to be more than the sum of its parts. It's engineered to exacting McIntosh standards and it comes as no surprise that Rolling Stone called these "The turntable of the gods." Be warned, they also have an out of this world price tag: $6,500 USD.

Thinkmore Phonograph 2

Thinkmore Phonograph 2
Thinkmore's Phonograph 2 achieves a clean industrial design other turntables can only dream of. It aims to demystify technology by integrating core engineering components with fundamental principles of structure, form and materials.

Braun SK55

Braun Sk55 turntables
I don't have any specs to share about the Braun SK55 turntable. Suffice to say if you're looking for vintage/retro, you probably won't find anything that surpasses this.

Pro-Ject turntable

Pro-Ject turntable
This cheerful looking chappie is one of 7 high-gloss color variations you can get hold of. Pro-Ject features an 8.6” carbon tonearm, precision belt drive with synchronous motor, a felt mat and a price tag of just €349.

AudioWood Sound Garden

AudioWood Sound Garden turntable
What do you get when you cross a planter and turntable, designed to house a bonsai, orchid, or other small plant? Answer: the AudioWood Sound Garden (not to be confused with a 90s US alt-rock band). This Sound Garden is designed to bring an “oasis of calm in your day”…

Crosley Revolution Portable Turntable

Crosley Revolution turntable
Coming in at less than $80, the Crosley Revolution focuses on converting your records to digital formats, rather than helping you savour the vinyl experience itself. It's portable, battery powered, with a platter the size of a teacup saucer... and did we mention it's cheap as chips?

Sto Kyo SoundWagon

Sto Kyp Soundwagon turntables.
There's portable and there's portable... this turntable is the most 'out there' we've come across, and it includes a speaker too... Hint, the van goes round and acts as the stylus and speaker... We haven't been able to find where to purchase Soundwagon new, but you may be able to find some floating around on eBay.


Rounik Sethi

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Rounik is the Executive Editor for Ask.Audio & macProVideo. He's built a crack team of professional musicians and writers to create one of the most visited online resources for news, review, tutorials and interviews for modern musician and producer. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro Rounik has taught teachers, professional... Read More

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