Naim produces some of the most revered hi-fi audio tech in the industry. But, surprisingly, the UK-based company had never released a turntable. As the story goes, founder Julian Vereker, a self-taught engineer, had always wanted to build a turntable but never managed to before his untimely death in 2000. Now, Naim brought its famed Technical Director, Roy George, out of retirement to help construct the stunning Solstice Special Edition, a turntable that’s as stylish as it is functional.
As we’ve come to expect with all of Naim’s products, the Solstice is as meticulously crafted as a record player can be. The exterior is glossy and futuristic with a magnetic bearing that supports a polished aluminum platter. Eagle-eyed audio enthusiasts will note an updated Aro tonearm. The Naim ARO, first constructed in 1989, is legendary and the newly upgraded version offers best-in-class audio performance with improved materials and the same three-point fixing, which is maximized for the Equinox MC cartridge. Additionally, Naim finally added a handy lift-lower device for us clumsy vinyl enthusiasts. Under the hood, you’ll find a Solstice Series Phono Stage as well as a unique, self-calibrating motor drive system. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more powerful hi-fi setup than the Solstice.
This Special Edition Solstice turntable has been limited to 500 units, which include a commemorative book as well as a newly remastered Naim Records True Stereo album. U.S. audiophiles will have to wait until later this year to be able to order this $20,000 turntable from select retailers, but the Solstice is currently available for in-person pre-orders at a number of U.K. stores.
