Bonn-based industrial designer Benjamin Großjohann loves vinyl information, and maybe the realm of the mechanical much more so (he cites a love of BMX bikes as an overarching ardour influencing his work). Collectively, these pursuits would feed a compulsion throughout the German designer to create a “stunning product manufactured from actual metallic” finally leading to an audio system “by collectors, for collectors” that’s so slim, you possibly can actually toss it right into a backpack: the Coturn CT-01 transportable turntable.
The CT-01’s stable anodized aluminum physique, built-in glass prime, and glossy built-in tone arm tipped with an Audio-Technica Stylus AT 3600 needle, measuring a mere 12.5 x 5 x 1 inches when folded up into its journey type. Think about a type issue much like the biggest iPad Professional, however a little bit chunkier and reduce in half, and also you’ve obtained one thing akin to the CT-01 in really feel and heft.
Each Coturn report participant is hand made within the specifically outfitted workshop in Bonn, with 3D-printed parts and hand-assembled electronics coming collectively right into a type issue that’s not pocketable, but in addition backpack-friendly in dimension.
The design’s niftiest function is its retracting tone arm, a component that hides away flush alongside the remainder of the turntable’s physique. A easy press of the CT-01’s small indentation alongside its tone arm and the half springs again out with a swish upward movement – able to put needle onto report.
A glass touchscreen management show retains the complete setup minimalist and fashionable, with a completely built-in preamp and USB-C rechargeable battery hidden inside its rectangular housing. The turntable operates as much as 16 hours per cost, loads for a number of listening session earlier than requiring the USB-C recharge. Bluetooth aptX connectivity permits connectivity with wi-fi audio system; a headphone jack permits for extra personal listening periods for one, whereas an RCA output makes analog speaker connections a chance for many who choose to maintain it old style.
Großjohann says he relied upon the tried and true strategy of drawing sketches and constructing bodily prototypes somewhat than solely relying upon 3D fashions to visualise, after which finally notice, his CT-01 into existence.
“A turntable is without doubt one of the most intricate issues you possibly can construct. As a result of all the things comes collectively right here: electronics, mechanics, and design – all these parts should mesh,” says Großjohann. “In fact, I have already got some concepts and expertise, however really I nonetheless lacked a level in mechanical engineering.”
The Coturn CT-1 is out there in quite a lot of colours, however the The COTURN X TA-KU version in pink is probably the most uncommon, restricted to twenty gamers worldwide and consists of the Australian artist’s double LP SONGS TO COME HOME TO in white vinyl.
Industrial designer Benjamin Großjohann holding his creation, the Coturn CT-1 turntable.
The Coturn CT-01 turntable is out there in blue, inexperienced, grey, black, and a really restricted version white version, beginning at $483 (out there for pre-order domestically over at Turntable Lab).
