Arduino-powered crane record player brings industrial influence and hands-on controls

Whether it’s built for serious music enthusiasts, I can’t say. But it has a strikingly inventive design, which deserves a home. This is the crane vinyl record player, which breaks away from conventional streaming and recorded music players, and gives music tactile and engaging controls with industrial aesthetics.

Inspired by construction sites, the vinyl record player is envisioned by Love Hultén, artist-designer renowned for reimaging vintage technology, and features a scaled-down version of a crane in place of a traditional tonearm. The towering, bright red crane, looming over the platter, gives the record player an interesting machine-like appearance, which has a different way of playing the vinyl records.

Designer: Love Hultén

Love Hultén reimagines the record player with an industrial intention and a control system that uplifts the analog music scene with tactile performance. He uses a functional crane system for a tonearm, intensifying the record player’s appearance for a home with industrial aesthetics. The player requires the user to manually manipulate the crane. The user physically navigates the vinyl surface, making it an unusual but exciting way to play the records.

The deliberate tactile control is carried out by a physical control panel on the record player, allowing the user to operate the crane in construction mode, like on a construction site. The crane vinyl player commissioned by Rebin Shah requires the crane tonearm to be controlled manually, where the user guides the stylus left, right, up, and down, turning each listening session into an unexperienced experience.

By taking away the convenience of effortless audio playback and adding the fun of participation into the musical act, the crane vinyl player invites the user to learn how movement translates into sound. The crane’s precise movement is driven by Arduino-powered motors and sensors. The record player itself features a slanted aluminum control panel with color-coded buttons and rotary dials that again remind one of the retro music systems.

The interesting red crane display resides on a contrasting white monolithic speaker base featuring a 2.1 stereo system with Bluetooth, while a ferrofluid visualizer animates the sound in real time. The glass dome and exposed wiring on the record player, conceived by Hultén, display the artist’s internal interest in visual engineering and the art of turning retro for modern adaptation.

This record player that “moves like a machine” and explores the tactile relationship between machines and humans arrives at almost the right time. Vinyl sales are rising and the recorded music of yesteryears is making a resounding comeback. In such an environment, amid the contemporary turntables, this retro-modern option appears as a shining light!

The post Arduino-powered crane record player brings industrial influence and hands-on controls first appeared on Yanko Design.

This 28mm Turntable Is Fully Automatic and Glows Softly Like Mood Lighting

Vinyl is having a moment that shows no signs of ending. Record sales have been climbing for over a decade, and turntables have found their way into living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices worldwide. The problem is that many still look like they did 30 years ago, big, chunky, and designed to occupy their own dedicated corner. For anyone keeping their space tidy and intentional, that’s a real trade-off.

The CoolGeek TS-01 tries to address that without asking you to compromise on either front. Its ultra-slim body measures just 28mm thick, sitting low and clean on virtually any surface you’d want to put it on. It doesn’t look like it’s trying hard to be noticed, which is exactly the point. It’s a turntable designed to feel like a natural extension of the room rather than an intrusion.

Designer: CoolGeek

Click Here to Buy Now: $219 $299 (26% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $152,000.

Part of what makes the TS-01 so comfortable to live with is how little it actually demands of you. It’s fully automatic, so the tonearm drops, plays, and returns on its own from start to finish. For anyone who’s been put off vinyl by manual cueing or the constant worry of a needle dragging across a quiet groove, that’s a genuinely significant shift in how the whole ritual feels.

There’s also a remote in the box, which might sound like a minor detail but changes things more than you’d expect from a turntable. You can play, pause, fast-forward, or rewind without leaving wherever you happen to be. It’s a small but thoughtful addition, especially when you’re settled in with a book, have guests over, or simply don’t want to get up every time a side ends.

Of course, the audio side isn’t an afterthought. The TS-01 runs on a belt-drive system with an aluminum die-cast platter, and sports a tonearm that’s lighter and yet stronger than the standard arms you’d find on most players in this range. It also ships with an Audio-Technica MM cartridge already fitted, so there’s no fiddly cartridge alignment to deal with out of the box.

On top of that, the TS-01 has six selectable lighting modes and a glow vinyl mat, which together do something unexpected for a turntable: they turn it into an ambient object. That might sound more like a lifestyle feature than an audio one, and honestly, it is, but there’s something genuinely pleasant about having your record player cast a soft glow across a room while a side plays out.

Connectivity covers both ends of the spectrum, whichever you prefer. Bluetooth 5.3 lets you pair it with a wireless speaker or headphones without running cables across the room, while the RCA output stays available for anyone already working with an active speaker or a home hi-fi setup. It’s the kind of flexibility that makes the TS-01 easy to fit into a surprisingly wide range of living situations and listening habits.

The TS-01 comes in Black and Light Gray, both neutral enough to blend quietly into most interior palettes. At 2.65kg and 398mm x 350mm x 94 mm, it’s genuinely compact for a full-size turntable. CoolGeek clearly had a certain kind of space in mind, the kind where a record player can sit on a shelf or credenza and look like it was always supposed to be there.

Click Here to Buy Now: $219 $299 (26% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $152,000.

The post This 28mm Turntable Is Fully Automatic and Glows Softly Like Mood Lighting first appeared on Yanko Design.

TechDAS Air Force IV turntable floats vinyl playback on a cushion of precision

In modern times, where digital convenience dominates listening habits, the persistence of ultra-high-end analog engineering feels almost rebellious. The TechDAS Air Force IV turntable leans fully into that defiance, emerging not merely as a playback device but as a precision instrument designed to push vinyl reproduction beyond its traditional limits.

At the core of the future-forward vinyl player’s signature pneumatic architecture is a system that fundamentally rethinks how a turntable handles vibration and resonance. Instead of relying on conventional mechanical isolation, the design uses an air-bearing mechanism that effectively floats the platter, eliminating friction and drastically reducing unwanted noise.

Designer: TechDAS

Complementing this is a vacuum LP hold-down system that secures the record firmly against the platter surface, ensuring stable playback and minimizing distortions caused by warping or micro-vibrations. Together, these “air” technologies aim to deliver a sound profile that is both exceptionally clean and dynamically expressive, setting a new benchmark for analog playback. The engineering emphasis continues with a precision-machined one-piece platter carved from solid A5056 aluminum alloy. Weighing close to 9kg, this heavy platter plays a crucial role in enhancing rotational stability while extending frequency response and improving overall dynamics.

The addition of a specialized damping and anti-static surface further protects records while contributing to a quieter sonic background. The result is an audio presentation marked by a notably low noise floor and refined detail retrieval. Unlike many turntables that integrate all components into a single structure, the Air Force IV separates its motor unit from the main chassis. This external 2-phase, 4-pole AC synchronous motor reduces vibration transfer, allowing the belt-driven system to maintain highly stable rotation. A polished polyester flat belt (borrowed from higher-end models) ensures consistent speed performance, reaching standard playback speeds of 33.3 and 45 RPM with minimal wow and flutter.

Despite its compact footprint compared to other models in the Air Force lineup, the IV incorporates technologies derived from its more expensive siblings, positioning it between the Air Force III and V in the range. The chassis itself is precision-machined from solid aluminum, supported by four specialized suspension feet designed to block external vibrations. Impressively, the design also allows for up to three tonearms, offering flexibility for audiophiles who demand multiple cartridge setups.

The Air Force IV reflects TechDAS’ broader philosophy that analog sound still has room to evolve even after decades of digital dominance. That level of tonal precision by the high-end Japanese audio manufacturer comes at a steep price of £19,998 (approximately $27,140). Obviously, it is only targeted towards audiophiles with fat pockets!

The post TechDAS Air Force IV turntable floats vinyl playback on a cushion of precision first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO Gave Away This Record Player Set: Now It Sells for $50

There’s a certain kind of person who loves the idea of vinyl records without necessarily owning a turntable. They appreciate the artwork, the ritual of flipping a side, the warm analog aesthetic that streaming services have spent years trying to replicate with album art thumbnails and animated soundwave graphics. For that person, and honestly for plenty of actual vinyl collectors too, LEGO quietly released one of its more charming sets of 2024, and a lot of people missed it entirely.

The LEGO 40699 Retro Record Player wasn’t sold in stores. It was a gift-with-purchase exclusive during LEGO Insiders Weekend in November 2024, meaning you had to spend $250 or more on LEGO.com within a two-day window to take one home. That’s a steep entry point for a 310-piece set that fits in the palm of your hand. Unsurprisingly, it’s now showing up on secondary markets for around $50, which tells you more about how people actually feel about it than the promotional circumstances suggest.

Designer: LEGO

What makes it interesting as a design object isn’t the scarcity. It’s the details LEGO chose to include for a freebie that most buyers would have been happy to receive with far less effort. Every single element in the set is printed, no stickers anywhere, including new tile pieces featuring equalizer bars and musical note graphics that were debuted specifically for this set.

The needle swivels and can be tucked behind a small antenna piece when not in use. Flip it around, and there are printed red, white, and grey ports on the back representing stereo channels, details that nobody asked for and that audio enthusiasts will immediately clock. A hidden gear underneath lets the record actually spin, which is either a delightful touch or a reminder that LEGO designers genuinely cannot help themselves.

The set slots into a growing line of brick-built nostalgia objects LEGO has been developing with some consistency. The Retro Radio, the Typewriter, the Polaroid OneStep Camera, each one picks a specific object from cultural memory and asks whether it still means enough to someone to sit on a shelf. The record player fits that pattern, though its scale is more playful than faithful. Closed, it measures about 1.5 inches high and 6 inches wide, so it’s not pretending to be a replica. It’s more like a knowing nod to the thing, compressed into something you can place next to a real turntable or a stack of records and let it be what it is.

The timing of its renewed attention is interesting. Search interest in record players has spiked noticeably in early March 2025, and the LEGO set has moved with it, picking up momentum in trend data well after its promotional window closed. That’s a pattern worth watching with this category of LEGO set. They’re not designed to chase a specific cultural moment. They’re designed around objects durable enough in people’s memories to stay relevant across multiple ones.

Whether a 310-piece brick turntable that doesn’t play music belongs in the same conversation as the real vinyl revival is a fair question. What’s harder to dismiss is that a set distributed as a promotional freebie is generating genuine collector interest months later, and that LEGO apparently left enough room in the design for people to discover details they weren’t expecting to find.

The post LEGO Gave Away This Record Player Set: Now It Sells for $50 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Electric guitar–shaped Clearaudio Celebrity Al Di Meola Edition Turntable exemplifies functional art

In the world of high-fidelity audio, certain products move beyond function and enter the realm of art. For instance, the  VS-01 Bluetooth Vertical Turntable, Orbit Turntable, Concrete Stereo, or Memphis-inspired vinyl player are all in a league of their own. For decades, German manufacturer Clearaudio has built a reputation for engineering turntables that prioritize craftsmanship and sonic purity. With its latest release, the brand takes a more expressive turn, blending technical mastery with musical tribute. The Clearaudio Celebrity Al Di Meola Edition turntable is not only a playback device but also a sculptural homage to one of contemporary jazz’s most influential guitarists, Al Di Meola.

Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, this inaugural model in Clearaudio’s Celebrity series celebrates Di Meola’s virtuosity through both sound and form. The most striking element is its body, shaped in the flowing outline of an electric guitar. Crafted from high-density wood fiber, the chassis is available in either a deep black finish or a real rosewood veneer, reinforcing its visual connection to the instrument that defined Di Meola’s career. The design transforms the turntable into a statement piece, equally suited to a listening room or a curated interior space.

Designer: Clearaudio

Beneath its artistic exterior lies serious engineering. The turntable features a 30 mm high-density platter paired with a precision CNC-machined aluminum sub-platter. A flat belt drive system ensures smooth rotation, while Clearaudio’s Tacho Speed Control (TSC) continuously monitors and adjusts speed in real time. This system compensates for variables such as temperature fluctuations or belt tension changes, automatically recalibrating at startup to maintain accurate playback at both 33⅓ and 45 RPM. The result is stable rotation and faithful sound reproduction, essential for preserving the nuances of analog recordings.

Vibration control plays a central role in the turntable’s performance. Clearaudio incorporates its Innovative Motor Suspension (IMS) system, derived from higher-tier models in its lineup. The decoupled 12V DC motor is isolated from the chassis to minimize unwanted resonance and mechanical interference. This careful separation helps maintain clarity, allowing listeners to experience greater detail and dynamic range from their vinyl collection. Ease of use has also been thoughtfully considered. A multifunction control knob, inspired by a guitar’s volume dial, manages operation. With a single press, users can power the unit on, switch speeds, or place it in standby mode. During calibration, the knob can be rotated to fine-tune speed adjustments. The interface is simple yet tactile, echoing the physical engagement that defines vinyl playback itself.

Each unit comes fully equipped with Clearaudio’s Profiler tonearm and a specially matched Celebrity moving-magnet cartridge, ensuring optimized performance straight out of the box. Adding to its collectible appeal, the package includes a numbered special-release vinyl album by Al Di Meola and a branded guitar pick, reinforcing the personal connection between artist and equipment. Weighing approximately 22 pounds and measuring about 18.1 x 14.2 x 5.5 inches, the turntable has a substantial presence without overwhelming a space. Its construction reflects careful material selection and attention to resonance control, balancing aesthetics with acoustic performance.

In terms of pricing and availability, the artistic vinyl player has a recommended retail price of about €3,950 (approximately $6,000 USD), depending on the retailer. That reflects the vinyl player’s premium design, precise engineering, and most importantly, collector value.

The post Electric guitar–shaped Clearaudio Celebrity Al Di Meola Edition Turntable exemplifies functional art first appeared on Yanko Design.

TEAC’s Turquoise Bluetooth Turntable Is a One-Time Color Drop

Turntables have crept back into living rooms as much for how they look as for how they sound. The usual palette is black boxes, silver arms, maybe a walnut plinth if you’re lucky. A record player sits in the open on a sideboard or media console, so it has to pull double duty as a hi-fi component and visual anchor, something you notice even when it isn’t spinning.

TEAC’s Special Edition Turquoise Blue TN-400BTX is a manual belt-drive Bluetooth turntable that takes the existing TN-400BT-X platform and wraps it in a glossy turquoise lacquer. It’s a limited-run finish on a high-density MDF plinth, meant to be a one-time color drop rather than a permanent SKU, which immediately nudges it into “object you choose on purpose” territory instead of just another black box.

Designer: TEAC

This deck in a bright apartment would catch light under a clear dust cover while a record spins. The turquoise plinth pushes it away from anonymous gear into something closer to a mid-century accent piece, the kind of thing you notice even when it isn’t playing. It’s still a serious turntable, just one that isn’t afraid to look a little joyful when most vinyl gear pretends color is beneath it.

Under the paint sits the same proven hardware. The TN-400BTX uses a three-speed belt-drive with a die-cast aluminum platter and a low-resistance spindle riding in a brass bearing for stable rotation. An S-shaped static-balanced aluminum tonearm with adjustable counterweight and anti-skate carries a pre-installed Audio-Technica AT95E MM cartridge, so you can drop the needle straight out of the box and upgrade later if you want.

The built-in phono EQ amplifier uses an NJM8080 op-amp to boost the tiny signal from the stylus without a lot of distortion. That means you can plug the deck straight into a line-level input on an amp or powered speakers, or switch to phono out and use an external stage if you’re picky. Gold-plated RCA jacks and a ground terminal round out the wired side without getting fussy.

The wireless trick is simple but useful. A Bluetooth 5.2 transmitter with SBC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive lets you send your records to Bluetooth headphones or speakers with better quality and lower latency than basic SBC. Pairing is handled with a single button and LED, so you can go from spinning a record through a traditional system to a late-night headphone session without moving the turntable.

This special edition doesn’t touch the mechanics or electronics; it just dresses them in a color that feels more like a mood than a spec. The turquoise lacquer, aluminum hardware, and clear cover turn a competent analog-plus-Bluetooth deck into something you might build a room around. A limited-run splash of color on solid hardware is worth considering when most turntables hide in black, and you actually want to look at the thing while it works.

The post TEAC’s Turquoise Bluetooth Turntable Is a One-Time Color Drop first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sony releases two new Bluetooth turntables to spark Gen Z’s love for vinyl

Sony is revisiting the vinyl arena with two new Bluetooth turntables, and for me, it’s resounding confirmation that records have made the comeback we were only speculating about over these years. The new models, the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT, aren’t designed solely for established vinyl audiophiles. With their easy-to-use approach, these Sony turntables are aimed at Gen Z listeners who are just beginning to explore classic record players and CDs.

This is Sony’s first adventure in the vinyl market since the launch of the PS-LX310BT. Released in 2019, the turntable ensured hassle-free Bluetooth connectivity and reliable performance sans complex setups, and the new options are built on the same formula; adding a refined design approach and authentic vinyl sound.

Designer: Sony

Sony PS-LX3BT and the PS-LX5BT do not have biases. Both the turntables are targeted at first-time vinyl listeners and audiophiles, according to the company’s press information. The units thrive on advanced wireless connectivity options and craftsmanship, standing out visually thanks to the transparent dust cover over the platter. This not only protects the gorgeous thing from dust but also protects the components underneath from accidental damage.

Both units, Sony affirms, are intuitive and easy to operate. A single-button automatic playback and Bluetooth connectivity are configured to allow detailed output in both wired as well as wireless connections. For this, the turntables support aptX, aptX Adaptive, and Hi-Res Wireless Audio, which allow users to connect their devices – headphones and speakers – directly to the turntables without requiring a fully-fledged amp setup.

Even though both turntable supports 33⅓ and 45 RPM records (7″ and 12″) and include built-in phono equalizers to work with powered speakers, they differ in positioning. PS-LX5BT is more premium of the two. It features a slightly more refined look with a unibody design, rubber mat and an aluminum tonearm, offering a premium sound experience. “Engineered to suppress unwanted vibration and preserve audio purity,” it comes with a high-grade cartridge. Priced at a competitive $500, the PS-LX5BT offers audiophile-level wireless audio and features a gold-plated audio jack for wired connections.

The PS-LX3BT, on the other hand, offers “warm analogue sound with smooth tracking” for those enjoyable everyday moments that are rare to create with the turntable,s otherwise cumbersome to use. The turntable is equipped with an audio cable and phono equalizer to be used straight out of the box, no real setup required, even for those just starting out with vinyl. This unit is priced comparatively lower and is available for preorder at $400. Interestingly, both of Sony’s new turntables will be sold in recycled packaging, reflecting Sony’s commitment to sustainability.

The post Sony releases two new Bluetooth turntables to spark Gen Z’s love for vinyl first appeared on Yanko Design.

Samsung’s Retro OLED Cassette and Turntable Concepts Are Pure Nostalgia

If you’ve lived long enough on this earth, you probably sometimes still long for those days when music was tangible. Whether you experienced putting in a cassette tape or placing a vinyl record on your turntable or even plopping in a CD, you probably miss the sound and feel of “physical music”. That’s why we have several devices that are banking on this nostalgia factor and it seems like Samsung is not immune to this trend.

Samsung Display has unveiled two intriguing concept devices at the ongoing CES 2026: the AI OLED Cassette and the AI OLED Turntable. While they’re not yet products that you can actually buy tomorrow, this “creative flex” for their circular OLED technology may inspire other manufacturers or even get Samsung to actually produce it or something similar in the future.

Designer: Samsung Display

The AI OLED Cassette is a throwback for those who experienced this kind of music back in the day. It takes the classic tape deck design and turns it into a smart speaker with two tiny 1.5-inch circular OLED displays. They’re in that place where the spinning reels used to be, since this isn’t exactly a cassette player. On the left, you get the playback controls and on the right side, you get a digital waveform or equalizer. Both screens are touch-sensitive, letting you interact directly with the device without constantly reaching for your phone.

It’s not just a usual Bluetooth speaker, though, as you get AI-powered music recommendations built into the device. That means you can discover new music, select what you want to hear, and control everything directly on the cassette itself. You get a touchscreen display as well so you don’t need an external device to control it. This standalone functionality sets it apart from traditional Bluetooth speakers that rely heavily on phone connectivity. There’s also a lozenge-shaped display that doubles as a virtual tuning dial, adding another layer of interaction that feels surprisingly intuitive for something so retro-inspired.

Going further back in the nostalgia trip, the AI OLED Turntable is a 13.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that looks like an actual vinyl turntable. The turntable display can actually display images and videos to add to the ambience in your space while playing the tunes. Imagine hosting friends and having your turntable show ambient visuals that match the vibe of your playlist. It’s part music player, part art installation, part conversation starter. The large circular display becomes the centerpiece of whatever room you place it in, commanding attention in a way that most modern tech tries to avoid.

AI OLED Bot

These two device concepts actually blur the line between technology and home decor, standing out from the usual, minimalist smart speakers that are on the market. By embracing retro aesthetics and then adding cutting-edge OLED technology, they turn these functional devices into design statements as well, letting them blend into your living space while giving you the music that you want at a particular time.

The timing couldn’t be better either. We’re living through a massive vinyl resurgence, with record sales hitting levels not seen since the 1990s. Cassette tapes are even making a comeback among collectors and indie musicians. There’s clearly an appetite for music experiences that feel more intentional, more physical, more there. Samsung seems to understand that people don’t just want convenience anymore. They want connection to their music and their spaces.

However, before you start dreaming about these devices adorning your living room, remember that they’re still concept devices and may never be manufactured by Samsung Display. These showcases are essentially Samsung demonstrating what’s possible with their circular OLED technology and showing other manufacturers what could be built. They might never produce these exact products themselves.

RGB OLEDoS Headset

Still, as concepts, they’re a vision for how technology can exist while still celebrating personality and nostalgia, rather than generic, robotic looks. Whether you’re a design enthusiast who appreciates the aesthetic, a tech geek fascinated by flexible OLED displays, or a pop culture lover drawn to the retro vibes, there’s something genuinely appealing about these devices. Sometimes the best concepts aren’t about predicting the future. They’re about reimagining how the past and present can play together.

The post Samsung’s Retro OLED Cassette and Turntable Concepts Are Pure Nostalgia first appeared on Yanko Design.

This concentric turntable with a CD player is the ultimate Hi-Fi system for newbie audiophiles

Revival of the vinyl records and CD players was inevitable, as we’re seeing a swarm of physical media players that bring the invincible charm of analog music with the twist of modern design and technology. The rich and warm sound of record players is unmatchable, and the resurgence of physical audio is not going to tone down anytime soon.

Mixx Audio, known for their affordable turntables, wants to spice up the audio accessories market with a turntable that lets you have the best of both worlds – CDs and vinyl record players. Driven by the need to create a player that fits modern homes, the Analog Plus 2-in-1, fully automatic vinyl turntable has a built-in CD player. That means you don’t have to buy separate players for both to enjoy your vinyl records and CDs.

Designer: Mixx Audio

Design takes precedence here as the concentric turntable makes judicious use of the space below the platter for fitting in the CD player. The idea is to make it simple for listeners who want to enjoy both their vinyls and CDs with minimum fuss. Analog Plus is inspired by the industrial design of the 80s hi-fi components that weighed heavily into the sharp angular visuals. On the inside, it gets the Audio Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge, capable of playing 7-inch and 12-inch records at 33/45 rpm. Apart from this, you can enjoy your digital media as well, since there’s Bluetooth 5.3 and aux output. The included remote makes it convenient to toggle tracks, volume, or other player options.

The physical controls are mounted on the front for ease of use, alongside the small display that shows the current track progress and the mode selection buttons. The CD player of the turntable has a top-loading mechanism at the center. You can play normal CDs, or audio CDs, and RW discs as well. The audio quality output from these digital audio files is quite good, as it plays MP3 and WMA at up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz, and WAV files at 48kHz. Of course, the delivered audio will depend on the audio equipment you hook it to via the RCA audio outputs. That way, you can connect it to traditional hi-fi systems or modern speakers.

Mixx Audio has chosen the minimalist white and black color options for the record player that should go well with any interior. Analog Plus 2-in-1, priced at £299 (approximately $400), is a good starting point for budding audiophiles who want to ease into the hobby. The added convenience of loading your CD into the platter is another big advantage that goes a long way for music lovers.

The post This concentric turntable with a CD player is the ultimate Hi-Fi system for newbie audiophiles first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Turntable Spins Vinyl Vertically So Records Become Wall Art

Vinyl has come back as much for the ritual and artwork as for the sound, yet most turntables still hide records flat on a plinth, as if they are shy. People lean records against walls or shelves to show them off, while the deck itself sits in a corner doing its work horizontally. The VS-01 is a vertical Bluetooth turntable that treats the spinning disc as a display piece instead of something to tuck away.

The VS-01 Bluetooth Vertical Turntable is a retro-futuristic record player that stands the platter upright behind a low, mid-century-inspired base. The front is all CNC-machined aluminum grille and vegan-leather-wrapped MDF, with a handcrafted carbon fiber tonearm reaching across the record. The design blends cool metal and warm materials, so the whole thing reads like a small hi-fi sculpture that happens to play vinyl and stream Bluetooth audio when you ask it to.

Designer: CoolGeek

Inside sits a 2.1-speaker system with two 2-inch tweeters and a 4-inch 30 W mid-bass driver, driven by a Hi-Fi-grade amplifier. The desktop reflective acoustic structure uses the surface it sits on to reinforce bass, aiming for layered, expansive sound that can handle vocals and low-end without needing separate speakers cluttering the room or demanding extra cables and shelf space.

The turntable side is a belt-drive platter with 33.3 and 45 RPM speeds controlled by a closed-loop system that keeps rotation stable. A zirconia ceramic spindle and high-precision mechanical design reduce friction and wear over time. The tonearm geometry is carefully specced, with low tracking distortion and adjustable tracking force, so the engineering backs up the visual drama and ensures your records are not getting chewed up while spinning vertically.

Bluetooth 5.3 lets the VS-01 act as a wireless speaker for your phone when you are not spinning records. It can also transmit vinyl audio out to Bluetooth headphones or speakers, turning analog grooves into a private listening session without cables. A line-out port and RCA outputs let you feed an external amplifier or active speakers if you want bigger sound or bypass the integrated drivers.

The vertical format changes the everyday experience. Records become a kinetic art installation you can see from across the room, especially with colored vinyl. The footprint on a shelf is shallower than a traditional deck, which helps in tight spaces. Purists may still prefer a classic horizontal setup, but the visual payoff and integrated speakers will outweigh that concern when your living room needs the turntable to double as decor.

The VS-01 treats vinyl as something to see while you hear it, with a vertical platter that makes every record into spinning artwork. The combination of serious belt-drive mechanics, a 2.1-speaker system, and Bluetooth flexibility wrapped in a retro-modern chassis means it can handle the full range from late-night wireless listening to showing off splattered-vinyl art during a party. Records become the centerpiece of the room, doing their work upright instead of lying flat and being forgettable.

The post This Turntable Spins Vinyl Vertically So Records Become Wall Art first appeared on Yanko Design.