CGD

Tomáš Jiráček built his first gramophone at the age of fifteen and, more than 40 years later, established the 440Audio family company, which makes gramophones for the most demanding lovers of vinyl records and design. For everybody agrees that his workshop does not send out "mere" record players but artifacts, sculptures which in the interior do not capture the attention of only lovers of perfect sound. They are beautiful even when not producing a single tone. This is especially true of the new series, Art. úročil své ze sestavování av na míru. Tomáš Jiráček and his son Tomáš cooperate with a host of other experts and artists, from the sculptor Kryštof Rybák to master stonemasons who deliver the bodies of the future gramophones for the family company or, rather, a manufacture. This is why we can find here materials such as walnut, cherry and ash but also elm or linden wood, and stone such as black granite, light and red travertine, marble and quartzite. Along with modern materials such as glass, stainless steel and acrylate as well as the classical bronze or brass.

Every gramophone is in fact unique: it is tailor-made for its future owner, which often takes several months because the body of the gramophone, almost sculpturally conceived, with emphasis laid on flawless details, must be complemented with an array of technical components, from the pick-up arm to the head and pivot. Those interested in a perfect experience will certainly also find it attractive that the set can be modified and upgraded over the years, for instance according to financial possibilities – since this top gadget can cost up to several hundred thousand crowns.

Tomáš Jiráček senior utilized here the best of his many years of experience from assembling customized music sets. He therefore orders technical components for his gramophones from the best producers worldwide, but instills them with his own, unique resulting sound. In the case of the bodies, he likes to work with natural materials such as wood or stone, which he values for their simplicity and authenticity. The result? His gramophones do not only provide sound of supreme quality but, simultaneously, invite one to stop, calm down, and take time to think outside of the box... After all, this philosophy is perfectly reflected in the name of the company: 440Audio refers to the 440 Hertz frequency, i.e. the concert pitch used for tuning music instruments.

Alena Řezníčková