Thanks Frank, regarding the ELP, that used lasers as means to read the groves, this new device as I understand uses a convencional needle, then converts it to Digital and transmits the info vía Bluetooth. So it is a musical abomination ! As clearly explained by Parabolic "analog waveform into a digital signal to be sent via bluetooth or WiFi to be reconverted via a cellphone codec to an analog speaker."
The ELP at least was plugged to a decent stereo system, I just dont see the market niche as psickerson, "too expensive to buy a child, someone curious about vinyl would want a traditional TT I would think, why else go vinyl." For this Price is a very expensive novelty too