In an era in which even digital album sales have fallen, vinyl has bucked the trend. Last year record sales grew by more than 50% to hit more than a million, the highest since 1996—and the upward curve has continued in 2015.
And with great use of vinyl has come a greater need for equipment. However where vinyl hasn’t changed over the decades the need for state of the art players has, and that is just where Industrial designer Roy Harpaz has stepped in.
He has created a vertical, egg-shaped record player called TOC, inspired by two pivotal design elements – clean and simple.
The result is a beautiful and natural aesthetic featuring a wooden look. A linear tracking system is implemented to ensure the analog sound is properly captured, complemented with modern updates such as LED touch buttons and a remote control where users are also able to skip tracks — thanks to its sensor that scans the tracks on every vinyl inserted.
The TOC plays 12"s, 10"s, and 7"s records, and the design even allows for playing warped records with no problem, a feat of its special spherical bearings ensuring that no old records are left in the dust.
Aside from all the technical advancements and updates, the product looks sleek and clean, making for a perfect conversation piece.
It is yet to be released, but for more information please visit Harpaz’s website here, and check out the short video released by them below.