Vivia is an innovative turntable concept designed specifically for Compact Discs, blending the charm of analog vinyl players with the convenience and clarity of CDs. At a time when streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music dominate music listening, Vivia offers a unique way to reconnect with your physical music collection by transforming the CD listening experience into something more tactile and engaging.
Recent data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shows that in 2022, vinyl sales surpassed CDs in the U.S. for the first time since 1987, with 41 million vinyl records sold compared to 33 million CDs. This comeback is credited to the analog ritual vinyl offers, which includes removing the record, placing it on the turntable, setting the tone arm, and physically interacting with the music. Many listeners find that these steps create a sense of ownership and a deeper connection to the music, something that streaming services simply cannot recreate.
Designer: Jaehyung Chu
CDs, on the other hand, offer both analog and digital qualities. While you must handle a CD physically to play it, the data is read digitally, making the process feel less direct than with vinyl. Most CD players are button-operated, leaving CDs in a gray zone between the hands-on feel of records and the effortless convenience of streaming. As a result, CD sales have declined, despite their distinct advantages over vinyl.
Vivia seeks to bridge this gap by giving CDs the analog experience vinyl fans love. The turntable’s standout feature is its tone arm, which automatically calculates the total runtime of the CD and moves from the outside edge to the center as the album plays, just like a traditional record player. Listeners can even adjust the playback position by moving the tone arm themselves, adding a sense of control and nostalgia. The volume knob is a tactile pleasure, designed for smooth, intuitive adjustments. Another analog-inspired feature is the Track Selector. By pressing left or right, you can skip between tracks, reminiscent of the way DJs spin records on a turntable. Each time you choose a new track, the tone arm moves to the exact spot on the CD, reinforcing the physical interaction that makes listening more satisfying.
While vinyl may be trending, CDs still have clear advantages. With CDs, you never have to flip the album halfway through, as all data is stored on one side. CDs are also more affordable than vinyl, usually costing $10 to $20 compared to vinyl’s $30 to $50 price tag. Plus, because CDs are read by laser rather than a physical needle, they have a lower risk of damage over time. Vivia is designed for music lovers who want the best of both worlds: the tactile satisfaction of analog listening and the practicality of CDs. By bringing the hands-on joy of the turntable to compact discs, Vivia aims to revive the appeal of the CD and offer a truly immersive listening experience for collectors and casual listeners alike.
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