Norstone Oslo 1600 Satin White

The Oslo 1600 adopts a clean, rectilinear design that aligns with the aesthetic continuity of the Oslo range. Two two-tone finishes are offered: Black paired with a Walnut-effect veneer, or White combined with a Light Oak effect. This chromatic duality creates a visual contrast that naturally segments the different areas of the cabinet while maintaining overall cohesion.

The structure is made from melamine-faced wood, a choice that prioritizes resistance to shocks and scratches while keeping production costs reasonable. Melamine is easy to maintain: a damp cloth generally suffices to remove everyday marks. The edges are sharp, horizontal lines predominate, and the absence of superfluous ornamentation enhances the object’s legibility.

Norstone openly draws inspiration from the philosophy of Dieter Rams, the German industrial designer who theorized the “less but better” principle. Rams argued that good design should be useful, understandable, unobtrusive, and durable. The Oslo 1600 embodies this approach: each element serves a precise function, and no decorative artifice interferes with the immediate understanding of the cabinet’s purpose. The proportions are calculated to maximize storage capacity without veering into the monumental.

Each drawer can hold up to 80 vinyl records, bringing the total capacity to 320. The internal dimensions of each drawer comfortably accommodate standard 12-inch LP sleeves without forcing them. An anti-slip grip system is integrated into the bottom of each drawer to prevent records from sliding or tipping during handling. This technical detail avoids the unpleasant domino effect that sometimes occurs when removing a record from a poorly designed drawer.

The drawers are generously deep, allowing you to store records with their inner sleeves without compressing them. Each drawer can support up to 50 kg, a load capacity that far exceeds the weight of a collection of 80 records. This robustness enables intensive use without the risk of sagging or deformation of the sliding structures.

The four drawers are not stacked vertically but arranged horizontally, two on the left and two on the right of the central niche. This symmetrical configuration makes access easier: you can browse your collection from either end of the cabinet without having to bend down. The drawers open with a simple pull, without protruding handles, thus preserving the purity of the lines.

The top shelf is 40 cm deep, which is sufficient to accommodate most turntables on the market, even with the dust cover raised. The maximum load allowed on this shelf is 30 kg, covering both entry-level turntables and some heavier models.

The central space dedicated to electronics offers 84 cm of width. You can install an amplifier, a phono preamplifier, a network player, or any other component essential for listening. The height of this niche is calculated to allow natural ventilation of the devices: air circulates freely, preventing heat buildup that could damage electronic components over the long term.

The ends of the cabinet, on either side of the drawers, are designed to accommodate bookshelf speakers. This layout promotes proper spacing between the two channels, an essential condition for achieving a coherent soundstage. The cabinet’s stability allows the installation of medium-sized speakers without fear of unwanted vibrations that would color the sound.