THE Show Newport Beach 2015 • Hot Product

The Thales TTT-Compact ($13,200, Simplicity II tonearm $9200) makes the argument that turntable size does matter -- and bigger is not better. This makes sense; less turntable means less material to transmit unwanted vibration to the stylus. But the TTT-Compact's visual simplicity belies some forward-thinking features, like a battery power supply that can play up to 16 hours on a charge, a short-belt drive system that uses a flywheel for added inertia and speed stability, and a platter with lead inlay for damping.

The TTT-Compact has 100 precision parts, but its styling remains clean-lined and elegant -- the antithesis of bulky and complicated.