In a world saturated with fleeting digital experiences, French creative studio Waiting For Ideas is offering a refreshing return to the tangible with their PP-1 turntable. This meticulously designed record player prioritizes the pure joy of listening, stripping away unnecessary complexities to create a seamless and intuitive vinyl experience.
The PP-1, aptly named for its “plug-and-play” simplicity, flips the traditional turntable concept on its head. Users simply place a record upside down and press play, instantly immersing themselves in the warm, rich sound of vinyl. This radical approach stems from founder Jean-Baptiste Anotin’s desire to combat the “compulsive consumption” of modern music. “Today, music is often compulsively consumed, people do not take the time to listen anymore,” says Anotin. “Vinyl, on the other hand, demands a ritual – a conscious act of selecting, placing and playing. The PP-1 was created to make this process as seamless and intuitive as digital streaming while preserving the tangible experience that makes vinyl special.”
Crafted from a solid block of CNC-milled aluminum, the PP-1 exudes a sense of permanence and quality. The material choice isn’t merely aesthetic; the aluminum’s weight and rigidity are crucial for optimal sound performance. The meticulous machining process creates sharp edges and clean lines, while sandblasting and anodizing provide a smooth, matte finish that resists fingerprints and enhances durability.
One of the PP-1’s most striking features is the absence of a traditional tonearm. Instead, it employs an innovative underneath-reading system developed in collaboration with Dutch electronics brand Miniot. This ingenious solution hides the stylus and mechanism behind a flap, which elegantly opens when the play button is pressed. The stylus then rises to track the record’s grooves from below, maintaining the turntable’s minimalist aesthetic.
Inspired by design luminaries like Dieter Rams, Bang & Olufsen’s Beogram 4000c, and Naoto Fukasawa’s Muji CD player, Anotin aimed to create a “sculptural object” that feels effortless to use. “The PP-1 is designed to be as minimalist and monolithic as possible,” he explained. “It had to feel effortless to use, without the intimidation that, in my opinion, could come with traditional turntables – no exposed tonearm, no complex setup.”
The PP-1’s functionality is equally streamlined. Two simple buttons control playback and speed selection. The turntable also boasts automatic speed detection and track navigation, powered by Miniot’s technology. A sensor analyzes the record’s position, allowing users to seamlessly move between tracks with simple button presses.
To complete the listening experience, Waiting For Ideas has designed matching speakers with an identical footprint to the turntable. These elements can be stacked to form a striking tower or placed side by side for optimal sound diffusion, offering both aesthetic flexibility and acoustic performance.
The Waiting For Ideas PP-1 turntable is available through the manufacturer’s online store. Reflecting its high-end design and meticulous construction, the PP-1 is positioned as a premium product. The turntable itself is priced at €5,800 ($6,322 USD). For those seeking a complete audio solution, the accompanying speakers are available for €3,200, or approximately $3,488 USD. The entire bundle can be purchased for €9,000, or roughly $9,810 USD.