Townshend Rock
Vintage & classic turntables · 1982–? Discontinued
$1,000–$2,000 typical US used price
Born of research at the Cranfield Institute of Technology, Max Townshend's Rock damps the headshell end of the tonearm in a silicone-filled trough at the record's edge, attacking arm resonance where it matters most. It evolved through Elite Rock, Rock Reference and later versions.
The only classic deck that damps the arm at the headshell — a genuinely unique British solution.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history, especially the belt, bearing and stylus.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Tonearm | none (arm fitted with Townshend front damping trough) |
| Years | 1982–? |
Cartridge and replacement stylus
The fitted cartridge is not mapped to a verified replacement part. See the model-specific stylus guidance →
Where to buy the Townshend Rock
4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | View at Guitar Center ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at Reverb ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | View at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |