Spring

The Japanese company Audio-Technica chose to celebrate its 60th anniversary by doing something totally serious and rational: releasing a transparent record player. The platter and 30-mm-thick chassis are made from heavy, high-density acrylic that keeps sound-degrading vibrations to a minimum. The spin and signal collection are handled by a belt drive and a carbon-fiber tonearm.

It sounds fantastic, thanks in part to its ultra-squishy shock-absorbing feet. The limited-edition model (only 3,000 are being made) is an especially fine way to display colored or clear vinyl as a sort of sonic artwork. If you’re not quite flush enough to spring for one of these rarities, or if you’re just terrified of smudges, Audio-Technica also sells the AT-LP7 (849 dollars), which has nearly the same quality and looks almost identical, albeit in simpler black. 1,200 dollars
–Wired