Bluetooth turntable combines usabilty, style and value
VINYL LOVERS will be able to take Sony’s first Bluetooth record player for a spin from December 3. That’s when the PS-LX310 will go on sale for $399.
It combines impressive audio and hitech convenience with a minimalist design that will turn heads in any home.
The built-in wireless Bluetooth transmitter means the PS-LX310 can be connected to any wireless speaker, soundbar or headphones.
It also has built-in Phono EQ for phono and line outputs.
And while the build is predominantly plastic, as you’d expect for an affordable, entry-level turntable, the platter and tone arm are aluminium.
Other features include a thick and sturdy dust cover, to muffle acoustic pressure and lessen distortion, and a newly designed tone arm to boost traceability for stable playback, rich, clear sound and powerful bass.
The PS-LX310 also has “one-step auto playback”. This means the turntable will automatically lower the tone arm, find the groove and get the music flowing from the paired Bluetooth device.
When the record ends, the tone arm automatically will return to its resting position.
Although Sony is releasing the PSLX310 with Christmas sales in mind, it came out six months ago in the United Kingdom, where What Hi-Fi? awarded the turntable a top five-star rating.
“Oodles of features, effortless usability and entertaining sound make this Sony a real winner,” was the magazine’s verdict.
“When it comes to set-up, apart from setting the belt to drive the platter, there’s nothing to do.
“No need to fit and align a cartridge, set the tracking force, set the correct antiskate or use a test LP to fine tune before you get to play music.
“Provided you’ve fitted the belt around the motor pulley and placed the platter on the main bearing, the PSLX310BT simply requires you to remove the cover from the stylus and press ‘start’ …
“What the Sony lacks in terms of topquality sound, it makes up for by being fun, ridiculously user-friendly and resoundingly listenable.”