Jokes about the lengths to which audiophiles will go to chase sonic nirvana abound. One New Yorker cartoon perfectly skewers the obsession: A collector, standing in front of an elaborate turntable and shelves of records, explains to his friend, “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and inconvenience.” True, spinning LPs is a laborious ritual, but devotees say the rewards—aural, aesthetic, and even philosophical—far outweigh any hassle.

New from German maker , the H2 will enhance any Bauhaus-styled residence. Beyond its minimalist design, the turntable also aims to simplify record playback: There are no buttons or switches—only a small, removable puck. Flip the puck to select either 33 or 45 rpm (the speed glows red beneath the white surface) and the platter spins

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