Turntables hit the mainstream


Just saw an ad in an upscale newspaper that Neiman-Marcus is selling the Shinola turntable for about $2500 or so. It makes me wonder whether they have salespeople trained to explain to a prospective buyer that it’s not a self-contained unit and they’ll need a cartridge, phono preamp and hifi system to make it work. But I do think it’s a good start.  Then again, if they carry Shinola, why not Wilson, Goldmund, etc?   There's a lot of profit in those products and stores like NM attract a weathy crowd.  Seems like a natural pairing.  
chayro
It looks like audio equipment sales techniques are evolving. That is a good thing for hobby.
Here's how it looks on the NM website: Appears to have a built-in phono preamp, so the user can just plug it into their system.  I guess it could be plugged into a Bose Wave Radio as well - pretty cool. 
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The Runwell turntable, a two-speed belt-driven table, comes with a low-friction tone arm, a pre-mounted and aligned Moving Magnet cartridge, and Shinola-designed phono preamplifier. Just plug it into any input on your preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or powered speakers, and enjoy the rich sound signature the Runwell will bring to your favorite records.
  • The Shinola "Runwell" tabletop record player/turntable, manufactured in a limited edition of 500 pieces.
  • Two-speed belt-driven manual turntable: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM.
  • Stainless steel precision low-friction tone arm and stand.
  • 300 RPM 24-pole AC synchronous motor.
  • Pre-mounted moving magnet cartridge.
  • Wow and flutter: <.1%.
  • Gain: 35.4DB at 1KHZ.
  • RIAA Conformance Deviation: less than +/- 0.25DB, 20HZ to 20KHZ, exclusive of infrasonic filter at 13HZ.
  • Input overload: >200MV at 1KHZ.
  • Input impedance: 47KOHM in parallel with 200PF.
  • Signal-to-noise ratio exclusive of cartridge intrinsic nice, unweighted: >82DB.
  • Solid aluminum top and platter.
  • White oak wood skirt base.
  • Metal feet.
  • Dimensions: 4.3"H x 18.5"W x 13.5"D; weighs approx. 40 lbs.
  • Assembled in USA of domestic and imported parts.
  • Please note: Speakers not included.

The Shinola 'table is an exercise in US manufacturing.  Designed by the Weisfelds of VPI fame.  It is sold as a full analog rig with a cart. and phono stage built in.  A luxury item from a US company that builds bicycles and back packs.  Millenials are the target buyers.  Built in Detroit " in full public view".  Great marketing for what looks to be a decent value in record spinners.