Following their various successes with connected devices, furniture and accessories, La Boite Concept launches in the vinyl world and propose an innovative and atypical turntable.
LA BOITE CONCEPT SQUARE: CHASSIS AND PLATTER
The chassis is made of birch plywood (20 layers) providing excellent protection against vibrations. In order to further limit vibrations, the Square turntable features the Good Vibes Only technology designed and developed by the brand.
Regarding the chassis, it’s made of matt black or matt white MDF depending on the selected finish (walnut or oak).
At first glance, we notice the turntable has unusual dimensions. As a matter of fact, it’s smaller than its competitors.
LA BOITE CONCEPT SQUARE: PLATTER AND DRIVE PRINCIPLE
With its 35 cm wide chassis, the wood platter has a diameter inferior to 28 cm.
It lies on a sub platter which is belt-driven by a synchronous motor.
A special platter mat made of leather and cork is supplied with the Square turntable.
Speed control is easily carried out by pushing a button to switch from 33 to 45 rpm.
LA BOITE CONCEPT SQUARE: TONEARM AND CARTRIDGE
The Square turntable comes with a 8.6” lightweight aluminium tonearm made by Austrian brand Pro-Ject. This tonearm is equipped with the excellent elliptical stylus Ortofon OM10 cartridge.
LA BOITE CONCEPT SQUARE: PREAMP AND CABLE
The turntable is equipped with a switchable MM phono preamp. If you do not have a phono preamp in your Hi-Fi system, you can switch ON the built-in phono preamp. If you wish to use another phono preamp, whether it’s separate or integrated to your amplifier, you can switch OFF the built-in phono preamp.
The Square turntable comes with an excellent phono cable providing remarkable shielding, low resistance and low capacitance.
LA BOITE CONCEPT SQUARE: TESTING AND LISTENING
While the design is French, the assembly is made in Azpeitia in the Spanish Basque Country. Finishing is excellent, the appearance is refined and the design very original. All this makes the product very attractive.
The technical choices are very interesting because they complement each other. The reproduction is detailed and very open with a “vintage” touch. The suspended sub platter might be the reason for that.
In any case, the turntable has the analogue sound we love and that’s all that matters! Furthermore, it’s simple to use and many combinations are possible.
Would recommend!
FranckSpeeds: 33, 45 rpm (electronic speed control)
Phono preamp: MM
Tonearm: 8.6” aluminium
Cartridge: Ortofon M10
Drive system: belt drive
Chassis: MDF + birch plywood
Platter: wood
Signal-to-noise ratio: 65 dB
Tonearm: Ultra-light-mass aluminium
Dimensions: 350 x 350 x 120 mm (WxHxD)
Weight: 5.6 kg
Cartridge: OM10
Type: MM
Output level: 4 mV
Channel separation at 1 kHz: 22 dB
Bandwidth at -3 dB: 20 Hz - 24 kHz
Compliance: 25 µm/mN
Readability: 70 µm
Stylus: elliptical
Tracking force: 1.25 g/1.75 g
Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
Tracking angle: 20°
Internal impedance: 1 kΩ
Recommended load impedance: 47 kΩ/250 pF
