ELECTRONICS

Vertical Vinyl plays off-the-wall records

July 20, 2011

ION's Vertical Vinyl Wall Mountable Turntable lets users play their records vertically

If you're over a certain age and still have a stack of vinyl LPs, you may have witnessed the fascination expressed by younger people when you play those records on your turntable - as far as they're concerned, you might just as well be cranking up a Model T Ford. Well, if you really want to freak them out, you could always tell them that ION's Vertical Vinyl Wall Mountable Turntable lets you play records vertically. How crazy is that?

The Vertical Vinyl is pretty basic, offering the usual two speeds (33 and 45 RPM), a volume control knob, and music playback via built-in speakers - there's no mention of a line-out on the device. Power is supplied by four included AA batteries, although it can run off mains power through an optional AC adapter.

Apart from its quirkiness appeal, the turntable could also come in handy in cramped quarters, where horizontal storage space is at a premium. Should you have the space, and would prefer not to risk dropping your LPs to the floor as you're putting them on or taking them off, it can also be used horizontally.

The Vertical Vinyl Wall Mountable Turntable is available at various retailers, ranging in price from around US$60 to $130.

About the Author

An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away. All articles by Ben Coxworth

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6 Comments

there is no way I would that POS touch any of my vinyl records, I will stick with my Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4002

Bill Bennett
20th July, 2011 @ 07:37 pm PDT

Bill Bennett: I very much agree with you! Who are they catering to? If anybody still has a vinyl collection they wouldn't let that "toy" touch their records?

P.S. I'm jealous of your B & O! :-)

mrhuckfin
21st July, 2011 @ 04:27 am PDT

What seems like a bazillion years ago, Mitsubishi manufactured a few models of vertical turntables. They used a linear tracking arm, touted to inflict less damage on vinyl grooves. Seems like at the time, they sold for around $500. Not the priciest turntable by far but still not chump change, especially decades ago.

Lurkin'
21st July, 2011 @ 02:50 pm PDT

Not everyone has a collection of classic vinyl Bill - there are plenty of really ordinary LPs in circulation that folks might want to play just for nostalgia reasons. Think Acker Bilk. This gives them a way to do so, inexpensively and without dedicating space to a proper turntable. As well as a line-out, I wonder if it has a USB or similar connection, to allow for recording. More importantly from a Gizmag perspective, how does the pivoting tone-arm follow the groove and apply consistent stylus pressure to both left and right channel?

johnniesazzler
21st July, 2011 @ 04:27 pm PDT

Technics used to offer a family of linear-tracking turntables that could even play upside down. Google SL-5, -7, -10, -15.

iamwho2k
22nd July, 2011 @ 09:39 pm PDT

I agree with Bill, I wouldn't let that so called 'Turntable' come within 2 miles of my vinyl collection! I do own a 'Ion' USB turntable which does a great job of turning 'analog' viny into a digital cd or stored file!!

Pks29733steel
27th July, 2011 @ 07:46 am PDT