The all-American luxury brand, Shinola, has created its first audio product and it is a beautiful turntable! Right now as we all practice social distancing, it reminds us of the things we did a decade ago when we had free time – reading, dancing to music (or jazzercise?), experimenting in the kitchen and even starting blogs just to express. Having a vinyl turntable reminds me of simpler times and classic products that one must have at some point in their life. Turntables appeal to staunch audiophiles and also to music enthusiasts of all generations. Just as having a Nintendo Gameboy is to a video game lover, vinyl players are to music lovers – it is almost like a rite of passage for your interests and we can all agree having a turntable makes us look like we have our life together with a background score.
Designers: Brett Lovelady, Shinola, Astro Studios, and VPI.
For this Runwell Turntable, Shinola teamed up with Astro and VPI to design a luxurious turntable fit for the revival of the vinyl era. An official press release describes Shinola’s turntable as a “two-speed, belt-driven turntable with an integrated phono preamplifier and will be equipped with an Ortofon 2M blue phono cartridge.” The belt-driven pulley has speeds of 33 1/3 rpm and 45rpm. The turntable also features heavyweight platter and aluminum tonearm that are custom variations of VPI staples that are universally loved.
The Runwell Turntable is crafted to elevate your interiors while upgrading your music collection from just a folder of audio apps on your phone. The turntable is priced at USD 2,500 and will be available at select brick and mortar locations as well as online. Personally, I love the experience of going to an actual store if I can and experience the product myself as we do in Apple stores.
Runwell turntable’s sleek build has all the classics that make for an eternal statement home accessory – aluminum, white oak, and natural leather. Each element and material used is known for its sonic capabilities which are a priority over aesthetics. It looks simple yet polished and fits in almost any decor style. The oak and leather have a warm essence, which adds to the emotion that classic record albums bring much unlike the visuals of steely, robotic products of today.
What makes it a perfect blend of classic and modern is that it can be plugged in and played, this let’s many more enjoy having a turntable without doing a deep-dive into its complexities and hoarding records. Sometimes all you want is a beautiful turntable and play your favorite album without the worry of technicalities and maintenance. The Runwell turntable is made for everyone who enjoys music without forcing them to adapt to old methods. Even the VTF (vertical tracking force) is pre-set so just plug and play!
It arrives in a protective heavyweight box with simplified instructions, so all you need to do is remove the stylus guard, attach the flat drive belt, plug your RCA cables into a line input on your amplifier, plug in the power, and play. You can choose between a rose gold model or the silver and black model, both will be a great addition to your space. Be right back, making a Pinterest board of vinyl turntables right now.
