Globe-Trotter X Analogue Foundation: the “ultimate listening station”

The Analogue Foundation - a collaboration between Audio-Technica, Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Russell Elevado and experimental performance atists Soundwalk Collective - celebrates everything analogue in today's digital-dominated world.

And, making good on the declaration on its "about us" website page to "share the experience and our passion of analogue", it has teamed up with Hertfordshire- based luxury travel brand Globe-Trotter to build the "ultimate listening station".

To justify such self-aggrandisement, the Globe-Trotter X Analogue Foundation Listening Station naturally combines music and booze inside an ornate wheeled cabinet. It provokes images of Sean Connery standing against it listening to Diamonds are Forever and holding a vodka Martini. Shaken, not stirred.

The Listening Station allows you to spin records on a customised Technics SP10 turntable, which is furnished with three Audio-Technica phono cartridges - AT-ART9 and OC9/III moving coil options and AT33Sa Shibata alternatives.

Below it is a drawer of Audio-Technica headphones (the five-star ATH-W1000Zs alongside ATH-ADX5000s, ATHA2000Zs and ATH-W5000s) that can be plugged into the stations's equally five-star AT-HA5050H headphone amp.

While the analogue army has decked it out with some high-end tech, Globe-Trotter - broadening its scope from leather-bound luggage to music and cocktails - is behind the station's impressive craftmanship.

A built-in drawer, complete with bottle of bournon ans a set of tumblers, only adds to its drawing-room appeal. Sadly though, this station is unique, a one-off that's not for sale. Its sole purpose is to educate populations around the world about the joys of analogue sound.

But you can get your hands on (and ears around) it. Having been on tour around Europe for 18 months, the Globe-Trotter X Analogue Foundation Listening Station is returning to London to be displayed in Globe-Trotter flagship UK store, from 19th February, for a fortnight.

MORE:

The world now has a choice of Sonos vinyl systems

Devialet's Phantom speaker to 'enhance' Royal Albert Hall experience

Best hi-fi deals 2018

The What Hi-Fi? guide(s) to the best music to test your system

Master & Dynamic's tattooed tie-in

The Making of: Linn Sondek LP12

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Turntables
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
John Lewis to start selling vinyl records this month – and it has pretty great taste
Technics SL-1300G turntable
Not one but two turntables have burst onto our buying guide this month
Gadhouse Cosmo Solar Edition Turntable in four colours
This bonkers new portable turntable has a retro iMac design and a *checks notes*...radio tuner?
JICO Clipper MM cartridge
JICO's distinctive MM cartridge offers a flexible, dual-fit design for your vinyl needs
Linn Bedrock upgrade plinth on LP12 turntable
Update your LP12 turntable with the first-ever plinth upgrade from Linn - but it comes at a cost
Technics SL-1300G turntable
Technics SL-1300G
Latest in News
Musical Fidelity B1xi
Musical Fidelity's new stereo amplifier houses HDMI ARC and a built-in phono stage
A close-up of the FiiO FT7 headphones' earcups.
FiiO's FT7 flagship headphones take the fight to pricier rivals
A grey WiiM Vibelink Amp on a wooden cabinet between two bookshelf speakers.
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Optoma Photon Go on white background
Optoma's new on-the-go projector is set to be one of the cheaper USTs on the market
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever