While we’re on the subject of expensive audio equipment, we figured we should mention a companion piece of equipment for the Hovland Stratos: ELP Corp.’s Laser Turntable. In case you’re not familiar, the Laser Turntable uses, um, a laser to play vinyl instead of a needle. The laser not only doesn’t physically damage records from repeated playing, but picks up audio information that has never been touched or damaged by a needle reproducing audio without digitization and maintaining true analog sound. It’ll even play severely warped or damaged platters. Or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

The only obstacle to vinyl-listening bliss? The entry-level model will set you back $9,900. While this is a big savings over the $15,000 price tag it had last year, it’s still out of reach for the average consumer. Or even the above average consumer.

ELP Laser Turntable