Inspector Morse

The scene

Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse of the Thames Valley Police is a man of particular tastes: real ale, crossword puzzles, a red Jaguar Mark II, and opera on vinyl. His Oxford flat is a sanctuary of books, records, and solitude — and at its center sits a turntable that UK audiophile forums have identified as a Roksan Xerxes.

Morse doesn't just listen to music — he needs it. Opera is how he processes cases, how he thinks, how he grieves. The turntable is always on: Wagner during breakthroughs, Mozart during contemplation, Puccini when things go wrong. The act of selecting a record and dropping the needle is as much a part of his detective methodology as interviewing witnesses.

Across 33 episodes and multiple specials, the turntable is a constant presence. It survives partnerships, personal failures, and the slow erosion of Morse's health. The Roksan Xerxes outlasts almost everything else in his life.

The gear

The Roksan Xerxes is a British-made turntable first introduced in 1985 — designed by Touraj Moghaddam in London. It was Roksan's debut product and immediately challenged the dominant Linn LP12 for supremacy among British audiophiles. The Xerxes uses a unique skeletal plinth design and a decoupled motor that isolates the platter from vibration.

The identification was made by members of diyAudio and other UK audiophile forums, who recognized the distinctive plinth shape and tonearm mounting visible in Morse's flat. It's a fitting choice for the character: the Roksan Xerxes is an intellectual's turntable — technically sophisticated, understated in appearance, and beloved by people who care more about sound quality than brand recognition.

At the time of filming, the Xerxes would have retailed for approximately £500–£800 — a serious investment for a detective inspector's salary. The prop department either sourced a real one or Morse has expensive tastes. Given everything else we know about the character, the latter seems more likely.

"I don't hold with all this 'torture the suspect till he confesses' business. It's not my style."
— Inspector Morse (John Thaw)

Why it matters

Inspector Morse is one of the most beloved British television series ever made — 33 episodes between 1987 and 2000, spawning two spinoff series (Lewis and Endeavour) that continued for another two decades. The character of Morse is inseparable from his turntable and record collection. They're as iconic as his Jaguar.

The "detective who listens to classical music on vinyl" archetype that Morse established has been echoed across television — from Bosch (McIntosh + jazz) to Elementary (McIntosh + everything). But Morse was first, and the Roksan Xerxes was his weapon of choice.

Roksan Xerxes turntables appear on eBay for $500–$1,500 depending on version and condition. The original Xerxes and the later Xerxes 20 and Xerxes 20+ are all collectible. They remain excellent turntables — many owners have been using theirs for 30+ years with minimal maintenance.