A record player without needle? It’s 2017 and it seems like even that is possible, as Wheel introduces a minimalistic record player devoid of an external needle arm.
Truth be told, the Wheel player that is being manufactured by Miniot doesn’t look much like a record player at all. Its simplistic approach means that there are no extremities or components beside the base the record sits on.
How does the record play then? Wheel has explained that the vinyl is able to be played thanks to an “invisible” needle that sits below the record, allowing for the vinyl to be exposed with no obstruction. The Wheel can also be hung vertically on a wall as decoration, and can be played while in this position also.
The Wheel will retail for a not-so-modest price of $850 / £806, although those backing the Kickstarter campaign can benefit from a 30% discount. Nearly $160,000 has been pledged thus far, surpassing the original $53,000 goal by leaps and bounds.
If you found this article useful, sign up for our newsletter to learn more and to stay up to date with 6AM’s news and features on the world of electronic music.
