ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Victrola Concord turntable system is offered for $299 within the colours Pure, Walnut, and Black.
- This technique features a full-size turntable, two bookshelf audio system, and an A-T ATN3600L cartridge, all nice elements for learners.
- At its $300 value level ($100 up from its debut in Jan.), individuals keen to spend this sort of cash could also be prepared for a extra superior system.
If you happen to’ve ever thought-about “entering into audio,” put together to spend a pair hundred (if not thousand) {dollars} in your gear, whether or not it’s headphones, amps, digital-to-analog converters, or bodily media like CDs, cassette tapes, and vinyl information.
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One factor that at all times rings true, regardless of your most popular audio medium, is that you’re going to encounter recommendation that absolutely dumps in your favourite gadgets. It is a ceremony of passage. If vinyl is your jam, and also you need a simple, easy, fully-kitted turntable system to start constructing your assortment, the Victrola Harmony is a pleasant place to start out.
You needn’t attempt to discover a classic system that wants some fixing up at a flea market 4 hours away. It is OK to need an easy-to-use file participant with digital options and a cool design. Typically, tech is simply enjoyable, and the Concord is very enjoyable. This is why.
Starting with design, the Concord system blends basic design with trendy digital options. It has textbook mid-century design components characterised by minimalism, a mixture of wood, plastic, and metallic supplies, and pure wood-colored tones.
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The turntable system features a full-sized turntable with matching bookshelf audio system. The cartridge is an Audio-Technica ATN3600L, and it has a plastic mud cowl. There are RCA ports for connecting to different audio system and a 3.5mm jack for headphones or different suitable audio system.
The turntable is bigger than the model’s compact all-in-one turntables, however even if you happen to’re low on area, a small stand can maintain the turntable, bookshelf audio system, and some information and include them in a small portion of a room.
For digital followers, the Concord is supplied with Bluetooth connectivity to stream music out of your machine to the Concord. Moreover, Victrola’s VinylStream know-how permits the reverse: you possibly can stream your information from the Concord to your Bluetooth audio system or headphones.
I arrange the Concord in my workplace and spun the best album of all time, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” It sounded nice; there’s a important improve in sound with Victrola’s exterior audio system in comparison with its all-in-one or suitcase turntables with built-in audio system.
Listening in stereo with devoted left/proper audio system is a good way to take pleasure in vinyl, and you may swap out Victrola’s packaged audio system if in case you have one other pair you favor. I haven’t got something unfavorable to say about Victrola’s included audio system; the ATN3600L cartridge guarantees clean, balanced listening, and it interprets effectively by way of the audio system.
Behind the fabric that covers the audio system’ grille, Victrola says every speaker has a devoted subwoofer, tweeter, and a port within the again for enhanced low-frequency response.
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The ATN3600L cartridge is comparatively low cost and well-received, making it a stable choice for entry or mid-level vinyl fanatics on a price range. It is simple and inexpensive to switch, and in good situations, it could possibly present round 400 hours of playback.
The audio system get very loud, loud sufficient that I may hear the music all through my whole home. Even at loud volumes, the audio system weren’t overwhelmed by the elevated bass. When you have a small social gathering or gathering at your home, the Concord generally is a assertion piece and an entertainer, making certain everybody in the home can hear the music.
The Concord’s digital options are very simple to make use of. You possibly can maintain down the facility/quantity knob to toggle between vinyl, VinylStream, Bluetooth, and aux modes, and it was simple to pair with my iPhone.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Victrola Harmony is a classy, easy-to-navigate turntable system that blends mid-century analog components with up-to-date digital streaming options. It is a stable choice for individuals who aren’t prepared or capable of make investments closely in a extra complete system. It would not take a lot to get the Concord going, and its mid-century design makes for a pleasant piece of decor.
With bookshelf audio system as small however mighty because the Concord’s, coupled with the turntable’s Bluetooth capabilities, this method is unbelievable for enjoying the soundtrack to your social gatherings.
I’ll observe that when the Concord debuted in Jan. at CES 2025, the going value was $199, which is a wonderful value for the bundle. Now, at launch, the Concord retails for $299. If you happen to’re prepared for one thing extra superior at this value level, you might favor one thing just like the Audio Technica AT-LP3XBT
