Waiting for Ideas has worked with some top-tier brands to the tune of great recognition, and its latest product falls right in line with founder Jean-Baptiste Anotin’s chic, minimalist approach.
The PP-1, its first-ever turntable, is designed using a solid aluminum block and offers audiophile-approved sounds — all for a jaw-dropping cost. Oh, and it doesn’t feature a tonearm, either. Gone are the days of skipping from song to song — it’s time to ditch the post-album industry.
No Tonearm Left Behind
Before diving into how the PP-1 operates, we can’t just bypass the traditional tonearm’s role. For centuries, this seemingly simple component has been necessary for vinyl playback, acting as a stable platform for the cartridge and stylus — and it still very much is necessary, with the exception of this premium artwork and a handful of others.
On 99.9% of record players you can buy in stores, a tonearm positions the stylus within a record’s groove, allowing it to track the delicate sound waves etched within. This maintains meticulous tracking force, ensuring the stylus stays firmly planted without damaging the record. Typically, tonearms are constructed from rigid materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and various alloys, all carefully chosen to optimize sound quality. However, some brands use woods that help dampen vibrations — the stronger, the better.
So, How Does the PP-1 Work?
Great question. Since there is no tonearm or settings, all you have to do is lay the record upside down and press Play. In fact, PP stands for ”Plug and Play” — the more you know! To do away with pesky smart connectivity, all the innovative tech prowess goes down under the hood, letting you sit back and listen without pressing countless buttons. It even boasts automatic speed detection, deciphering singles and LPs with ease.
While it features a 3.5mm jack for connecting headphones, the studio’s Music Tech collection is powered by an equally stunning speaker system. Every pair of Passive Speakers is sold separately and made to order using wood and stark black high-end fabric. They feature a frequency range of 44Hz-20kHz and seamlessly complement the PP-1, allowing you to rest the record player atop the nearly two-foot-high speaker.
Spec Sheet:
Dimensions: 13.78” x 13.78” x 3.35”
Material: Anodized aluminum
Connection: USB-C Powered
Features: 3.5 mm mini Jack plug; mil elliptical diamond stylus
Passive Speakers Details
Dimensions: 13.78” x 13.78” x 13.78”
Material: Wood and high-end fabric
Frequency response: 44Hz-20kHz (±6dB)
Power: 80W
Pricing and Availability:
The Turntable PP-1 is available for pre-order and is slated to ship in June. While the full price is $6,085, Waiting for Ideas is accepting deposits of $3,043 prior to shipment.
Recap
Waiting For Ideas PP-1 Turntable
Waiting for Ideas, a Paris-based design studio, unveiled a sleek and innovative turntable that operates without a tonearm.
