January 24, 2008 5:50 AM PST

Turntable goes for a spin back in time

(Credit: Cambridge Audio )

The design of turntables long ago was elevated to an art form, an appropriate station for a piece of equipment that's often viewed as the domain of eccentrics as much as audiophiles. We continue to see variations upon variations, whether they be made with 24-karat gold, brushed steel, or even stone. And the more esoteric they are, the higher prices seem to go--as much as $150,000 in some cases.

So it was refreshing to see a model headed in the opposite direction, taking a minimalist approach. Cambridge Audio's zen-like TT50 has no MP3 technologies or USB connections--"a plain old turntable like your daddy used to have," as Slippery Brick says. Its only indulgence is a gold-plated RCA plugs.

The resistance to adding features and adornments has given this turntable a clean, uncomplicated look that makes us want to dust off the old Commodores' Greatest Hits. Now if we can only find those plastic things to stick in the middle of the 45s.

Recent posts from Crave
'Sims 3' coming on February 20
GrooveShield Form the best iPhone 3G case yet?
Wind turbine blows Speed Racer around the track
Cyber Woods, next golf champ?
Oasis, 'Falling Down (Chemical Brothers remix)': Free MP3 of the Day
Add a Comment (Log in or register) 1 comment (Page 1 of 1)
LP turntables
by unclecasey January 24, 2008 7:04 AM PST
I have recently read about an "optical" cartridge for tonearms that doesn't touch but still reads the grooves on an LP record; what is the status of this technology and would it fit in the Cambridge Audio "minimalist" turntable discussed in your article?

Cheers,
Curtis
Reply to this comment
Powered by Jive Software
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

I Crave

advertisement
Crave home

Crave

Switch background color:
A Blog from CNET

A Blog from CNET

Visit other CNET Networks sites: