Home / Audio / Hi-Fi

This Turntable Is What You Get When an Ex-Apple Engineer Makes Hi-Fi Gear

The TD-1 is the first audio product from Ruka Studio.

Living room with large windows, beige sofa, wooden coffee table with books and bowl, and four people sitting and talking.
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Tucker Bowe

Published

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Founded in 2024, Ruka Studio is a Los Angeles-based company that describes itself as a “collective of former Apple engineers and designers.”

And now it’s gearing up to release its first-ever product: a vertical turntable named the TD-1. 

Ruka Studio TD-1

Mid-century modern living room with wooden sideboard, black speakers, green wall-mounted turntable, orange sofa, and glass coffee table with decor.
The TD-1 is the first product from Ruka Studio.
Ruka Studio

Like all vertical turntables, the TD-1 is meant to stand out rather than blend in. It spins your vinyl records vertically rather than horizontally, so it draws the eye better. It’s striking.

Man reclining on a beige fabric sofa with a green and gray striped blanket in a sunlit living room with a TV, wooden cabinet, and vinyl records.
It’s a vertical turntable with wired and wireless playback capabilities.
Ruka Studio

As you’d probably expect from ex-Apple engineers, the TD-1 is positioned as a high-end turntable with a premium build.

It has an aluminum-milled body and features mechanical knobs and switches for playback and electronic speed controls. It also has a magnetic clamp to hold the record in place.

Wooden record storage unit filled with vinyl records in a beige room with ornate molding and a large window with curtains.
The TD-1 can be mounted to the wall, set on a floor stand, or placed on a tabletop.
Ruka Studio

It’s a belt-drive turntable that decouples the motor from the acrylic platter. This reduces unwanted vibrations and, according to the brand, creates “a quieter and smoother listening experience.”

Hand with red nail polish holding a black circular object on a black vinyl record on a white surface.
A magnetic puck holds the record upright.
Ruka Studio

Interestingly, the TD-1 comes with a specialized wall mount that is rubber-coated and has a built-in level. Once secured to the wall, the TD-1 magnetically clicks into place. Ruka Studio also makes a floor and record stand, so the TD-1  doesn’t have to be wall-mounted.

Hand adjusting silver knob on a modern silver and black turntable with a vinyl record.
There are tactile dials and switches for controlling playback and inputs.
Ruka Studio

As far as playback, the TD-1 has wired outputs and thus can be connected to a traditional hi-fi system. But, as seen in many of the photos, it also features built-in Bluetooth, allowing you to stream your vinyl records to wireless speakers or Bluetooth headphones. 

Woman in black dress operating a modern vertical record player in a wood-paneled living room with beige sofa and green side table.
Right now, you can join an email waitlist to preorder the turntable.
Ruka Studio

Price and availability

The Ruka Studio TD-1 will be available to pre-order soon. Right now, you can sign up for the waitlist.  

However, only 500 units will be made during this initial production run. The units will cost $1,399, which the brand says will be the “lowest price it will ever be.” 

The pre-ordered units are expected to ship in 2027.

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Read More

, ,