“Music is an art of time. Time Flows Shapelessly: Technics Releases a Burgundy Turntable, Ties on a Matching 1930s Lamp Collaboration, We’re All Confused (But Secretly I Love It)

Technics x Fritz Hansen: Every Content Creator’s Dream Collaboration
From Technics: its high-end SL-40CBT vinyl turntable in oxblood red
From Fritz Hansen: his iconic Kaizer idell 6631-T lamp, also in oxblood red

Fritz Hansen, the Danish furniture company, and Technics, the Japanese audio specialist, are teaming up to unveil a brand new… nothing strictly speaking (and when you get down to it).

And yet, this new partnership is a content creator’s dream, as it has both re-released old products, but in a juicy oxblood red. It’s perfect for the go-to influencer “I just bought a 60-foot Parisian apartment without a plan; and now ?!’ series. Arrange next to it a well-thumbed hardback book with a macrame bookmark, a French press with a blue glazed ceramic espresso cup and an old armchair bought on a lazy Sunday at Flea Market – you are absent.

Anyway. Since we’re a technical site, let’s start with the audio option. The Technics SL-40CBT direct drive turntable was released towards the end of 2025 and we noted its refreshingly different “terracotta” color option as one of the turntable’s biggest highlights.

But… why?

The Technics SL-40CBT in its burgundy color option.

(Image credit: Techniques)

Companies re-releasing old, successful models in new colors is nothing new. What puzzles me about the collaboration between Technics and Fritz Harmon is the amount of spin that was put into making these devices truly exciting.

“Music is an art of time. Time flows without form, gently imprinting itself on our emotions through sound,” says a renowned Technics representative. “Both sound and light change the feel of a space without affecting its structure,” reads another quote.

If you’ve been re-reading these press release quotes to try to figure out what they mean (and wondering if I introduced a typo to spoil their meaning), you’re not alone. But I re-read it carefully several times and consulted experts (other people on the TechRadar team) and we came to the conclusion that at least we know it wasn’t written by AI.

“Two objects with distinct origins which, together, form a thoughtful and deeply human setting” makes me think of “Two houses, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we set our scene” by the Bard. But I really think it’s two companies with really good historical products, tying the knot, trying to wax lyrical about the interaction of light and sound (because they are light and sound companies).

Or maybe there’s a lot more going on and I’m just too confused (or weak) to understand what they’re trying to say. Look, the burgundy turntable is really pretty. Yes, I wish I could enjoy it without needing a doctorate in philosophy to understand the ad, but ultimately it would look great in my listening room…