For a very long time, the world was fixated on horizontal vinyl players that took up a premium space on a table. Just recently, the tide has started shifting in favor of vertical record players that are designed to stand out instead of blending in. The new entrant in the category already explored by designer Fatih Demirci, CoolGeek, and Dutch Hi-Fi maker Miniot, is Ruka Studio – a Los Angeles-based company that was founded in 2024.
Relatively new in its existence, Ruka makes its presence felt with the wealth of experience that forms the DNA of the brand. Reportedly, Ruka Studio was founded by a group of former Apple engineers and designers, so a high-end turntable with a premium finish would be a given. But that’s not where it’s stopping; the company has launched its first vertical turntable called the TD-1.
Designer: Ruka Studio
Designed as a turntable that mounts vertically on the wall, or stands upright on a floor stand, it becomes part of the room instead of taking over a table. The TD-1 can spin a vinyl record vertically, which is a treat to the eye and food for thought for your mind. The design is pretty seamless, and you’re left wondering how the giant disk is actually spinning without gravity acting upon it.
If you’re someone who holds your record collection dear and as a reflection of who you are. The TD-1 is conceived with the idea of enhancing that experience like no other has done before. Yes, there have been vertical record players we have seen in our time, but the Ruka’s model is a standout, thanks to its aluminum body and visibly enticing mechanical switches and knobs that turn and click to control playback, adjust the record’s rotational speed, and also to pair the device with a speaker system over Bluetooth. It also comes with wired output to connect with a hi-fi system.
When everyone is trying to integrate AI and convenient remote control via dedicated apps, the TD-1 remains as analog as the record playing was meant to be. The most it gets away from the analog commitment is to stream your vinyl records to a wireless Bluetooth speaker or compatible earbuds.
To make how it looks placed vertically more exciting, the TD-1 arrives with a rubber-coated magnetic plate that holds the record against the wall to appear as if it were floating in mid-air. To ensure you are not hassled with getting the placement straight, it comes with a built-in spirit level. The player features a swappable moving-magnet cartridge, which the company says should allow users to select the cartridge they want, of course for an additional cost from the device itself. The TD-1 turntable itself is belt-drive. The motor has been de-coupled from the acrylic platter to minimize vibration, ensuring smoother and quieter playback.
Ruka Studio TD-1 is available to preorder now starting at a reserve price of $100 on the company’s website. It is priced at $1,399, and preordered models are expected to ship in 2027. The $100 credit is fully refundable or will be adjusted in the final price when a device is shipped.
