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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?

ethos123
riz1
42 posts
 

Simon Yorke, I miss mine : ))  Now have a PTP Audio Solid9. Sonically it’s more to my liking and has its own beauty

andrei_nz
192 posts
 

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. 

durkn
63 posts
 

Really subjective, but IMO:

VPi Prime / Prime 21

Oracle Delphi

lewm
12,470 posts
 

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.

wspohn's avatar
wspohn
578 posts
 

Another vote for the Oracle Delphi, and I like the rather stark look of my VPI TNT 5.

Recently wanted a turntable for my  third system and didn't really want a run of the mill appearance. Ended up with one of these - look like a sculpture in plexiglass.

 

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