If you're into vinyl or vintage hi-fi gear, you might want to keep an eye on Salad—a new company based in Washington that's taking a fresh approach to classic audio. Founded in 2024, the brand is kicking things off with a modernized version of the 1961 AR-XA turntable, plus a couple of stylish accessories for vinyl collectors and headphone enthusiasts.

Salad is officially debuting its lineup at the Apos Booth at Bay Area HIFICON in San Jose on February 8th, where visitors can get a first look at its gear. The company is built around a simple but ambitious idea: take well-loved audio designs from the past and update them for today—without sacrificing what made them great in the first place.

Turntable fans will instantly recognize the Acoustic Research AR-XA as one of the most influential designs in vinyl history. Released in 1961, it was groundbreaking in its day for its simple, no-nonsense approach to high-quality playback. Now, Salad’s SA-XC is bringing that design back—with a few modern touches.

Here’s what’s new (and what’s staying the same):

• Build Options – Buyers can choose between a solid wood or painted MDF plinth, offering a mix of classic aesthetics and contemporary durability.
• Upgraded Components – The motor, platter bearing, and isolation feet have all been improved to reduce noise and improve speed consistency.
• Modern Features (Possibly) – Salad is considering options like a DC motor with electronic speed control, a built-in phono preamp, and Bluetooth connectivity—but they’ll ultimately decide based on customer feedback.
• Easy Repairs & Customization – Unlike many modern turntables that rely on proprietary components, the SA-XC is designed to be modular and repairable, making it a long-term investment rather than a disposable piece of tech.

While some purists may hesitate at the idea of a modern take on the AR-XA, Salad’s version keeps the core design intact while making it more practical for today’s listeners.

Beyond turntables, Salad is introducing two accessories designed to complement an audiophile’s setup: Halo Headphone Stand and Vinyl Flip Rack.

Rather than the usual plastic or metal stands, Salad’s Halo Headphone Stand is made from a single piece of sapele wood, shaped into a perfect circle for strength. It sits on a solid Alder base, with a wool felt pad to cushion your headphones. It’s minimal, sturdy, and designed to fit into any setup without taking up too much space.

For vinyl collectors, the Salad Vinyl Flip Rack offers a record store-style browsing experience at home. Instead of stacking records vertically on a shelf, this compact rack lets you flip through them easily, thanks to brass side rails that keep everything aligned. The interior is lined with wool felt to prevent scratches on album covers, and the whole thing is made of lightweight but strong Baltic birch plywood.

Some key details:

• Holds around 25 records
• Brass alignment bars for smooth flipping
• Compact size (14.6" x 8.3" x 8.7")
• Weighs just under 4 lbs

For anyone who wants a more accessible way to organize their records, it’s a simple but effective solution.

Pricing and availability are still under wraps, but as Salad prepares to show off its products at the Apos Booth at Bay Area HIFICON, the big question is how the audiophile community will respond to this mix of old-school design and modern convenience. One thing’s for sure—anyone interested in classic hi-fi with a modern twist will want to keep an eye on what this new company does next.