The Miniot Wheel 3 is a radical upgrade to the vertical turntable from the Netherlands: an optical stylus replaces magnets and coils, a new axial-flux direct drive with 24 magnets and five optical sensors predicts record errors in a single revolution, and the linear arm moves vertically.
Vinyl is cool again. The question is, can it still be smart? Miniot thinks so. Miniot Wheel 3 is a turntable that you can stand upright on a shelf, place on a table or – yes, that’s right – hang on the wall like a record in a lap. But the trick isn’t in the Instagrammable layout, it’s in how it reads the grooves: not with magnets, but with light. The result is hi-fi with a sci-fi twist that remains 100% analogue.
How an optical stylus works (and why this is different)
In the benches Miniot Wheel 3 the diamond stylus still physically touches the groove – no laser, no Blu-ray trick. Instead of the stylus's movement being translated by magnets and coils, the Miniot shines light on a tiny plate on the stylus holder and measures the shadow that movement casts on a photodetector. This is a measurement position and no acceleration, so the system “sees” movements down to 0 Hz (read: the deepest bass), and the overall coupling is lighter and faster at high frequencies. The audio signal remains analog, while an additional channel of precise positional data helps control the arm in real time.
For context: the optical approach is also known from specialized optical cartridges (e.g. DS Audio), where photodiodes measure the needle movement, so the equalization is different than in MM/MC cartridges, which are velocity-sensitive. Wheel 3 packs similar logic into its own “optical-specific” pre-stage.
Direct drive that learns your disc
Previous versions of the Wheel used a belt drive. The Wheel 3 has its own axial-flux direct drive motor. The rotor is equipped with 24 neodymium N52 magnets, and the multilayer printed stator surrounds five optical sensors, which continuously measure movement. An algorithm with a “look-ahead” strategy in alone revolution, it calculates deviations – from misaligned records to eccentricity and waviness – and compensates for them before the recognizable “wow & flutter” error. Because the system simultaneously compares the position of the stylus and arm, the pitch remains stable from the first note on. Bonus: because the stylus works optically, it is not disturbed by motor magnets.
Linear arm that climbs vertically
The arm of the Miniot Wheel 3 is linear, meaning it follows the groove in a straight line, and hidden in the housing, it moves vertically from bottom to topThis not only adds symmetry and a clean aesthetic – it also helps with the quietness of the mechanics and the fact that the Wheel 3 plays equally well upright, lying down or on a wall. The volume slider and playback controls remain etched into the top of the aluminum rim, alongside the dimmable display.
Design: Polished aluminum front, composite rear (and a little wood for the nostalgic)
The Miniot Wheel 3's front panel is made from a thick block of aluminum machined to a smooth "mirror finish"; the back is made from a compact composite. Miniot is also preparing Special Edition with a solid wood back – organic look lovers, this is your cue. Transparent vinyl? It looks like a floating halo.
Connectivity and pre-stage
On the back of the Miniot Wheel 3 is practical: USB‑C 5V for power supply left, stereo 3.5 mm (mini-jack) output on the right, with a slot in between for easy wall mounting – no adapters, just one screw. The preamp is optically-adapted and built-in, so the entire “needle-to-output” flow is Miniot. (But if you swear by RCA, you’ll need a mini-jack-to-RCA cable.)
Price and availability
Price: €2,900; at launch it was quoted at ~$3,350, other sources mention around $3,458 (differences due to exchange rates and taxes). Status: after August 13, 2025 Miniot officially announces that Wheel 3 they are already sending; you still see the information “Ships in 10 weeks” on the product page, but pre-orders are complete and orders are flowing.
Mini history: from Kickstarter to “Miniot Wheel 3”
The original Wheel was a spectacular idea with a few life lessons; Wheel 2 corrected the course; and Wheel 3 acts as a confident “victory lap” for a small Dutch team from Schagen. Lesson learned: sometimes you have to break your pencil twice before you can draw a clean line.
Why isn't this a laser turntable?
Wheel 3 it is not laser turntable. The needle still follows the groove – this is essential for the “vinyl” sound. The difference is how we get the electrical signal from the movement: the optics measure movement, so low frequencies are not penalized, and the high-frequency detail is not burdened by the mass of magnets or coils. This requires a different, gentler type of equalization in the pre-stage – which is why it is purposely developed in Wheel 3.
Who is Wheel 3 suitable for?
Who wants minimalism, an art object and technological innovation in one. Who likes to hang turntables on the wall and doesn't want to deal with cartridge selection. If you're looking for a platform for endless feints and head changes, this isn't the one - Wheel 3 is more of a concept "everything is integrated".
Specifications (Miniot Wheel 3)
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Stylus: optical (diamond), position measurement up to 0 Hz; analog output.
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Drive: eigen-axis flux direct engine; 24 neodymium N52 magnets; 5 optical sensors; “look-ahead” algorithm in 1 turn.
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Hand: linear, vertically scrolling from bottom to top; stylus position data is used for real-time control.
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Materials: polished aluminum front, composite rear; announced wooden Special Edition.
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Pre-stage: built-in, adapted for optical scanning.
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Links: USB‑C 5V power supply; 3.5mm stereo output.
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Layout: upright on a stand, lying on a table or on a wall (one screw).
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Price and status: €2,900; shipping has started August 13, 2025.
Verdict: every audiophile would have it and that's an admission!
Wheel 3 is one of those products that demands a fair amount of skepticism – and then it’s nicely explained with technical details. The scanning removes the limitations of magnetic cartridges, and the direct drive with sensors tames the mechanics before they become audible. Yes, it’s more expensive than average and the mini-jack output will divide opinions, but as a statement piece and as an engineering project, the Wheel 3 is compelling. If vinyl is a ritual for you, this is the new altar.
