Most expensive turntables in the world

If you thought that you knew all about high end audio systems, then think again. Some among them are not all that high-tech and contemporary, as proven by Goldmund's Reference II turntable. The name may not be that fancy, but the contraption more than makes up for by its price tag of $300,000. Comprising of paraphernalia of venerable circuitry such as 15kg of brass and teflon-insulated signal-carrying electronics; we say - its antiquarian yet swank.

The design element of Basis Audio’s Work of Art turntable certainly alludes to the 80's era when high budgeted science fiction movies were gradually coming to the forefront of popular culture. Composed from 4 inch (thick) acrylic body, the designers say the machine is infused with a self-contained resonance annihilator. Now, you may ask - what is the price? Well, it's just $150,000.

Audiophiles, it is time for you to gather around One Degree of Freedom (or Onedof) turntable. Contrived by aerospace engineer Aleks Bakman, this glitteringly gorgeous audio device boasts of a massive sound-dampening platter (suspended in a non-resonant liquid medium), which in turn keeps those wobbling effects at a minimum. Of course, you do have to pay the dough for a machine of this caliber. The price tag comes with a figure of $150,000.

From the name it may sound like one of those bulky and boisterous Transformers. But the above pictured conception is actually a turntable, whose functionality according to the designers ranges from being a LP player, phonograph to even a gramophone. Now, add to that an essence of sober 'steel' finish, a weight of quarter of a ton and a price tag of once again - $150,000.

A sublime fusion of wood and aluminum, this intriguing contraption is christened as the Clearaudio Statement. Weighing around 770 lbs, the turntable comprises of a magnetically driven sub platter technology (for better and regulated speed control). As for pricing, it once again reaches stratospheric levels with a figure of $125,000.

Another ostentatious agent in the world of opulence, the Continuum caliburn range of turntables have certainly proved that vinyl records have not gone out of vogue. More importantly, people are actually willing to pay hard moolah for these venerable machines. Infused with a magnetically levitated magnesium platter (suspended in vacuum), this range of turntables come within the price of $90,000 to $112,000.

Fascinating art meets flamboyant antiquity - this is the Gabriel turntable. Surely to tickle many an audiophile's (and maybe even an art collector's) fancy, the machine does emanate an uninhibited style of visual allure. Coming to the financial factor, this range actually has two versions. The one with gold plates (the above image) and a white scheme comes at $41,250, while the other silver and black version comes at $35,400.

Coming from the house of Walker Audio, the Proscenium Black Diamond turntable is as the name suggests - pristine black. Though, part of the allure lies in the mystery not yet divulged by its makers, and that is concerning the material of the turntable. All we know is that the machine is 20 times stronger than carbon fiber, while its pricing is set at $40,000.

Compact in its bearing and more subtle in its styling - this is the Sme 30 alluding to the prime era of efficient turntables. The machine has a weight of 40 lbs, while its intrinsic mechanism is infused with a combination of elastomers and silicone to achieve an almost zero Q suspension. As for pricing, the cost range is fixed from $36,000 to $40,000.

Pricing aside, some devices should also marry their visual appeal with core functionalities. The ClearAudio Master Reference Turntable is one such contraption, and it comes with a plethora of user friendly features such as APG (Accurate Power Generator) motor control system, master reference chassis, a master TQ-I tonearm and drive belt system. The price is set around $19,000.