Vinyl record straightener. Vinyl enthusiasts, rejoice – Pro-Ject has introduced the Flatten It, a device for straightening curled vinyl records that costs almost as much as a decent turntable. But hey, nothing is too expensive for a true love of analog sound, right?
If you've ever left your records in your car on a summer day, you've probably heard that familiar sound - no, not music, but needles crying between the wavy furrows. Warped, twisted vinyl records are the nightmare of every analog audio lover. They can damage the needle, and the sound becomes somewhere between “psychedelic” and “torture for the ears.” That’s why – a vinyl record iron.
Austrian audio gurus from the company Pro-Ject, which has been synonymous with quality turntables for decades, decided it was time for a new step in vinyl evolution: Flatten It – a device – a vinyl record iron that brings your curled vinyl records back into shape. Literally.
Why now? Vinyl record iron
The vinyl renaissance is in full swing. People are buying up old albums en masse, new releases are being released on vinyl, and most of us have at least one at home. album, which could be used as a frieze. Flatten It is therefore the answer to a purely practical problem: how to save your collection without baking it between two encyclopedias in the oven (seriously, don't do that). Hence the vinyl iron.
How does this technological spa for vinyl records work? A vinyl record iron!
The process is simple (and expensive): you take your vinyl, gently place it between two aluminum plates, which with the help of precisely controlled heat and slow cooling slowly compensate for the deformation. The heat is distributed evenly, the temperature range is stable (+/- 2 °C), and you can control everything via the digital display.
A case of independent unit – no additional controller or external cables to get in the way. You can use Celsius or Fahrenheit, depending on whether you prefer continental or imperial vibe.
The whole process? Pro-Ject doesn't say exactly how long it takes, but similar devices usually take from 1 to 3 hours.
Specifications (for audio geeks and regular visitors to Hi-Fi forums) – vinyl record iron:
- Housing: Solid aluminum construction
- Mass: 4 kg (which is less than the average cat)
- Dimensions: 36.5 x 6 x 42 cm
- Power supply: DC input
- Support: All vinyl sizes (7″, 10″, 12″)
A price that hurts... or doesn't it?
For $999 (yes, that's more than twice as much, as their entry-level turntable model, the Automat A1, costs), you have to seriously ask yourself: Is your Sgt. Pepper's really worth saving?
The device is not (yet) available on Pro-Ject's American website, but you can already find it on certain European and specialized audio online stores. At this link!
Is this a real investment or a hipster luxury?
It depends on where you stand on the vinyl scale. If you serious collector, who swears by original releases, and your heart sank a little when you saw the wavy Bowie from '72 – then Flatten It is an investment in preserving history. But if you have 10 vinyl records at home, half of which still smell like a second-hand store… well, maybe stick with the fryer from the Ikea catalog.
Conclusion: Just too crazy to work
The Flatten It is a typical Pro-Ject product: minimalist design, quality workmanship, and a price that only a true love of sound can justify. Is it a must-have? No. But it is undoubtedly The most stylish way to save your collection from the vinyl apocalypse.
If you already have a turntable for $2000, why not also have a vinyl record iron for a grand? After all, love is never cheap.
