Vinyl may have been written off as obsolete – but nearly two flourishing decades into its comeback, it continues to surprise. The Miniot Wheel 3 is arguably the boldest statement yet in that revival. Crafted in the Netherlands, it redefines what a turntable can be by “seeing” sound instead of merely feeling it.
A diamond stylus still traces the grooves of your vinyl, but instead of magnets and coils, the Wheel 3 uses light to capture those movements. As sound frequencies move through the grooves, light reflects off a tiny plate attached to the stylus, casting shifting shadows onto an optical sensor. That shadow movement is what gets converted into audio. Compared to traditional magnetic cartridges that measure acceleration, this optical system measures position – right down to 0 Hz – promising cleaner bass, finer detail, and improved high-frequency tracking.
At its core lies a custom axial flux direct-drive motor built in-house. It uses 24 neodymium N52 magnets plus multiple optical sensors to maintain rock-solid speed control. Impressively, the motor anticipates puck irregularities – warped or off-centre records are adjusted for in real time. Because the stylus doesn’t rely on magnetism, motor interference isn’t an issue.
Hidden beneath the spinning vinyl is a redesigned linear tonearm. Instead of pivoting across the record, this arm travels vertically, keeping perfect tangency with the groove and minimizing tracking distortion. The optical signal also plays another role – finely controlling the tonearm’s pressure and positioning, allowing precise real-time adjustments regardless of orientation.
Visually, the Wheel 3 is a design marvel. Records spin upright like floating disks behind a polished aluminum face, often reflecting light shining through color or transparent vinyl. The tonearm is concealed, reinforcing the illusion that the record floats unassisted. Placement flexibility is built-in – the Wheel 3 can stand on its base, lie flat, or mount on a wall like artwork. The construction pairs a machined aluminum front with a composite or wooden back for a refined yet warm aesthetic.
Control is handled with a dimmable display and a touch slider embedded in the rim, managing playback and volume without cluttering the surface. A bespoke preamplifier designed for the optical stylus eliminates the need for a separate phono stage and ensures the signal remains pure.
Each unit is hand-built in Holland, priced at around $3,355, with deliveries expected about ten weeks after ordering. A special edition with a solid wood back is planned, though its final pricing is not yet confirmed.
The Miniot Wheel 3 is more than a turntable – it’s an artistic statement that challenges decades of hi-fi convention. It doesn’t abandon vinyl tradition – it builds on it, keeping the diamond stylus as a tactile link to the groove while replacing magnetic pickups with light-based precision. For design-conscious audiophiles and those eager to see analog sound reimagined, it feels like the perfect convergence of tradition and innovation.
