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FT editor Roula Khalaf has chosen her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
collector’s item
Given how revered many record collections are, it’s surprising how little consideration is given to the question of where they should be stored. They are often slotted into functional his four square shelving units, with creased spines that can only be read when you tilt your head and squint. But as the desire to give them beautiful homes grew, Norwegian craftsman Stian Heldal became a popular manufacturer of cabinets and stands specifically for vinyl records, turntables, and hi-fi peripherals. “Music has always been a big part of my life,” he says. “I don’t have a deep knowledge of amplifiers or speakers, but I love the vinyl format. And I like creating work that inspires people to hide the digital part of their lives, so to speak.”
Now based in Kristiansand, Heldal grew up in a woodworking family where the smell of wood shavings and Danish oil was always in the air. He started it as a hobby making furniture for his own home, but he soon started receiving local commissions. In 2016, he made his first record His Stand. This is a simple but beautiful X-frame with a slot for each record. Web His shop quickly gained attention and he designed and produced larger pieces. Today, his clients range from practicing lawyers to Hollywood celebrities who love his mid-century aesthetic, inspired by designers such as Niels Otto and his Moller, and Torbjörn and his Afdal. Among his admirers are woodworking students who email him for advice. He will be happy to send you plans and answer any questions.
This is his latest design, with a pedestal for the turntable, a sliding tambour door to hide the amplifier, a cable management system, and space for 200 records. “It should remain unique as the centerpiece of a room,” he says of his work. To some extent it describes the Norwegian way of doing things. You don’t have to wave your arms or scream to get people to notice. ” HRDL Vinyl table £1,649 with storage base
Ahatun Eno
Brian Eno’s turntable is an acrylic sculpture that’s part record player and part softly glowing LED light, and 50 units were produced in 2021. “It sold out overnight,” laughs gallerist Paul Stolper. “We got the numbers hopelessly wrong.” Currently available in an edition of 150, the Turntable II features a rounded base and an off-center platter to give the tonearm its own space. has been updated in a variety of ways.
The shifting lights are pre-programmed by Eno to contain random elements. “An important aspect of his thinking is the idea of surrender,” Stolper said. “It’s programmed, but he doesn’t know what it does. So he’s the same viewer as you and I.” Brian Eno Turntable II, 2024, £20,000; paulstruper.com
Up the preamp
All turntables require a preamplifier, and many are milled from a solid block of aluminum, mounted on an anti-vibration support stand, and designed to last 30 years. HSE was founded in Zurich in 1987 by Robert Huber, and all mechanical parts are manufactured domestically, making him one of the few audio manufacturers to carry the “Swiss Made” mark. While the company’s products are typically custom made for recording studios (most famously Electric Lady in Greenwich Village, founded by Jimi Hendrix in 1968), the launch of Masterline 7 is a great addition to the range for discerning customers. , this is your chance to experience its sophistication at home. HSE Masterline 7 phono preamplifier, £80,000; Absolute sound.com
smooth operator
When you set your goal on building the world’s best belt-drive turntable, it can become an obsession. Mark Döhmann’s quest was to isolate Helix One from vibrations that could bounce back into the system. As you can see, the Mk3’s platter has suspension based on engineering seen under an electron microscope, and the Swiss-made motor is custom-designed to suppress unpleasant resonances, securing the record to the turntable. The clamp isolates the noise generated by the needle in the groove. The result is an uncompromising, almost supernatural machine dedicated to making your records sound the best they can. Dorman Helix One Mk3, £78,998; Absolute sound.com
clean machine
The use of anti-static brushes, cleaning solvents, and lint-free cloths will inevitably leave some residue on the vinyl surface, reducing some degree of sound clarity. In contrast, ultrasound technology used in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries can thoroughly clean records using sound waves sent through a liquid. This two-piece kit consists of a 6-litre tank with adjustable thermostat and timer and an electric spindle that can accommodate five long players. The spindle is attached to the side of the tank to keep water out of the vinyl label and rotates at 3rpm while the bubbles work. Approximately 30 minutes at just below 30°C is recommended. DK ultrasound Vinyl record cleaner kit, £399.99
@Rhodri