Wheel is about as minimal a record player as you can imagine. Only the Netherlands’ Miniot imaged it first. The turntable technology is all built into the platter and the functions are controlled by the center stick. Additionally, it can be used horizontally on a table or vertically.
Wheel by Miniot
All technology is built into Wheel’s platter, below the record, safely hidden from dust and accidents. All fragile moving parts are built in. No more scratching your records or destroying the stylus.
Simple, pure and easy to use. Just place a record on Wheel. In the center there’s a stick that controls all functions. On/off, play/pause, volume, even next or previous track. Turning the stick controls the volume of the headphone port.
The construction of Wheel allows it to be used horizontally or vertically. You can put it flat on a table, place it upright on a stand, or hang it on the wall.
The wood base is available in walnut, cherry, or mahogany and a special limited kickstarter edition in high gloss piano black and warm silver.
In essence, Wheel is a high quality record player turned upside down. The heavy aluminum platter is driven by an electronically stabilized belt drive at a dead-on 33,3 or 45 rpm. The outer ring of the platter supports and secures the record, while eliminating resonance. A vibration isolated block inside of the cavity of the platter contains the linear tonearm, belt drive, amplifiers and electronics. Newly developed bearing systems for both the platter and the tonearm guarantee an imperceptible noise level and a clean and crisp output.
Wheel is the most compact true turntable you’ve ever heard. The undistorted signal of the AT95E cartridge is sent straight to the RCA connectors. Without conversion or loss of signal. A switch lets you choose between phono or pre-amp line signal. The built-in high quality headphone amp serves the 3.5 mm jack. This way Wheel connects to all amplifiers and every type of active speakers.
The analog record player doesn’t run on batteries and to unleash its full potential, it has to be wired to a good amplifier, speakers or headphones. However, it’s perfectly possible to connect a wireless transmitter to one of Wheel’s outputs (it still needs a power cord). This way you can use your Sonos or other wireless speakers.
Miniot is selling these and seeking funding for Wheel via kickstarter. With under two weeks left, they have far exceeded their $52,597 goal.
Wheel by Miniot can be ordered in mahogany, cherry, walnut and the special Kickstarter edition here
Miniot, a family design company, makes wooden cases for iPhones and iPads and is located in Schagen, the Netherlands.
all information and images courtesy of Miniot
