HMV has been partying hard this year and is looking to wrap up its centenary celebrations, but not before releasing a limited edition turntable in collaboration with Henley Audio and Pro-Ject.
The special Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB turntable arrives in a limited edition of 300 with each deck including a Certificate of Authenticity, Connect it E Phono Cable, felt mat, dust cover, an adapter for 7-inch singles, Allen key, and stylus pressure gauge. Furthermore, it comes with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge pre-installed for a true plug-and-play experience.
The collector's item lands at a time when music fans in the UK continue to embrace vinyl, with more than five million records sold last year.
The 100th Anniversary Turntable features HMV's centenary logo and Nipper, the retailer's mascot. Francis Barraud's painting, titled 'His Master's Voice', originated in 1898 and depicts Nipper – his brother's dog – listening to a phonograph.
Barraud sold the original picture, with its copyright, to the Gramophone Company (now EMI) for a total of £100. In 1910, the Gramophone Company registered copyright of the name 'His Master's Voice' and, in 1921, opened its first dedicated store at 363 Oxford Street.
The new turntable cements the partnership between Pro-Ject, UK-based Henley Audio and HMV, which began in 2016 when the retailer launched in-store turntable displays as vinyl began to take off in the UK.
The stylish CNC-machined plinth of the turntable features no plastic parts, and careful manufacturing ensures no hollow spaces inside, avoiding unwanted vibrations within the chassis, says Pro-Ject. The maker carries this philosophy through the design; the glass platter is also a heavy, zero-resonance form. Finally, the purpose-chosen turntable feet help to isolate the motor from ambient vibrations around your hi-fi system.
Phil Halliday, Managing Director of HMV and Fopp, told StereoNET:
Over the past five years, our turntable range has grown substantially, offering every collector – from the casual listener to audiophile – a listening experience that works for them. With our year-long 100th Anniversary celebrations coming to a close, we wanted to end with a nod to our heritage, and there was no better partner than Pro-Ject, whose stunning attention to detail results in incredible products for music fans.
Heinz Lichtenegger, CEO of Pro-Ject, added:
We are delighted to be supporting HMV in their 100th Anniversary celebrations. They have a philosophy that is synonymous with good quality audio, evidenced by their amazing music catalogue, so what better way to partner with them in their centenary year than with a high-quality turntable? When you buy the HMV T1 Phono SB, you are buying a piece of history but also a turntable that will play your records in true hi-fi stereo for the best listening experience for years to come.
The HMV 100th Anniversary Turntable is available for pre-order now and will be on sale from August 27th for £399.99.
Visit HMV for more information
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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