Displaying items by tag: turntable - StereoLife Magazine

Rega has added the Planar 6 RS Edition to its range - a new special version of one of the company's most important turntables. The British manufacturer has spent decades developing designs based on lightweight, rigid plinths, precise belt drive systems and tonearms of its own making, showing that the classic turntable form still has a great deal of potential. This time, Rega has taken the well-known Planar 6 and equipped it with solutions normally associated with higher models in its catalog. The result is a technically advanced turntable that should be ready for serious playback almost straight out of the box, without the immediate need to replace the cartridge, power supply or drive components. With the RB880 tonearm, Neo PSU MK2, Reference EBLT belt and Nd9 cartridge included, the Planar 6 RS Edition looks like a proposition for listeners who want to move to a higher level of analog playback without building the system through a sequence of expensive upgrades. Rega is offering a complete package in which technologies from higher models have been sensibly combined with the familiar Planar 6 format.

The decision has been made - we are buying a turntable. Everyone around us seems to be talking about the beauty of analog sound, so sooner or later we decide to begin our own vinyl adventure. Common sense may object a little, because what exactly is the point? Records are delicate, they have to be handled with care, and every twenty minutes or so you need to get up and turn the disc over if you want to hear the rest of the album. How does that make any sense in an age when a phone can give us access to millions of tracks, let us skip from one to another with a single tap, or simply keep playing for hours without any effort on our part? Users of streaming services could probably listen until retirement age and still not discover even a small fraction of the music available to them. So who actually needs a turntable?

Dual has introduced the CS 618Q, a direct-drive turntable that represents the most advanced model in the company's current lineup and a clear statement of intent in its ongoing revival as a serious analogue specialist. Combining quartz-controlled speed regulation, a precision gimbal-bearing tonearm and a factory-mounted Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, the CS 618Q is positioned as a ready-to-use premium deck aimed at listeners who want high-performance vinyl playback without moving into the complexity of fully manual audiophile platforms. Although the CS 618Q sits at the top of Dual's contemporary range, its design deliberately avoids unnecessary complication. Instead, the turntable follows a restrained, classic layout that echoes earlier generations of the brand's direct-drive machines. A brushed-aluminium control plate carries the speed selector and status indicator, allowing switching between 33, 45 and 78 rpm operation, while the overall proportions remain close to traditional hi-fi component dimensions for straightforward system integration.

Wilson Benesch announced the Greenwich Turntable, a new model within its GMT analogue platform that establishes the entry point into the company's latest reference-level record playback architecture. Rather than representing a simplified derivative of existing designs, the Greenwich Turntable is conceived as the foundation of a modular analogue ecosystem in which structural, damping and isolation strategies evolve progressively through the GMT range while preserving a common motor platform. This approach allows owners to enter the architecture at the Greenwich level and move upward toward Prime Meridian and ultimately the flagship GMT One without replacing the core drive system.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems has introduced the VC-E Mini, a new ultra-compact record cleaning machine designed as an entry point into vacuum-assisted vinyl maintenance while retaining the core operating principles of the company's larger cleaning platforms. Engineered and manufactured in Europe, the new model is positioned as a practical alternative to manual washing systems for users looking to improve record care without dedicating significant space to a full-size cleaning unit.

Avid HiFi has introduced the Velsonic, a new reference-level phono preamplifier positioned as the flagship of the company's analog electronics lineup and its first completely new phono stage platform since 2012. Developed and manufactured at Avid's Cambridgeshire facility, the Velsonic replaces both the Pulsare II and Pellere models while carrying forward circuit concepts derived from the company's Reference Pre-Amplifier, signaling a broader refresh of its upper-tier analog architecture. Rather than pursuing a hybrid or digitally assisted topology, the Velsonic follows a strictly analog design philosophy built around a fully dual-mono signal path from input to output. Separate channel layouts are intended to maximize channel separation and reduce crosstalk, while the absence of digital control circuitry reflects Avid's long-standing preference for preserving signal purity in low-level phono applications. According to the manufacturer, particular attention has been paid to minimizing noise throughout the gain structure, an area especially critical in high-resolution MC cartridge systems.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is expanding its long-running Debut family with a new premium model designed to sit at the top of the range. The Debut Reference 10 is a manual belt-drive turntable that aims to bridge the gap between accessible hi-fi and fully fledged audiophile vinyl replay, combining a substantial acrylic platter, a new 10 inch hybrid carbon aluminium tonearm and a factory-fitted Pick it PRO Balanced moving magnet cartridge. With electronic speed switching, an upgraded motor system and the option of a fully balanced signal path, the deck is intended as a complete analogue front end for listeners who want to extract more detail and refinement from their record collection without moving to a much larger or more complex design.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems has introduced the E1.2, a new-generation entry-level audiophile turntable designed to deliver exceptional sound quality in an accessible, ready-to-play package. Handmade in Europe, the E1.2 continues the brand's commitment to high-performance analogue engineering at realistic prices, combining precision craftsmanship with a series of upgrades over the original E1 model. The E1.2 retains Pro-Ject's Plug & Play philosophy, with factory-set tracking force and anti-skating to ensure perfect performance straight out of the box. Every unit is hand-assembled and fine-tuned by experienced technicians, so users can simply connect, drop the needle, and enjoy their records with minimal setup effort.

Audio-Technica announces the latest turntable to join its world-renowned home audio portfolio, the AT-LP70xBT. Acting as a sophisticated gateway for audiophiles taking their first steps into the world of vinyl, the AT-LP70xBT Fully Automatic Wireless Belt-Drive Turntable combines the tactility and warmth of analogue audio with the convenience of Bluetooth technology to deliver a seamless listening experience for any setup. Designed to provide a user-friendly experience with every spin, the AT-LP70xBT plays both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records at the touch of a button. Offering a simple wireless connection to powered speakers and headphones, the turntable is compatible with the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive audio codec for high-quality music playback - no cables necessary.

Four decades after its original debut, the Sound Burger is back in our regular lineup! The new AT-SB727 portable turntable retains the classic, lightweight design of the 1980s model, while offering modern conveniences like Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a lithium-ion battery, and a USB-C charging cable. Perfect for parties, picnics, and compact living spaces, the updated Sound Burger plays 33 1/3 and 45 rpm records and comes in three color options - black, white and yellow.