Victrola Carbon & Onyx Hi-Res Streaming Turntables – First Look

Carbon and Onyx Hi-Res Streaming Turntables

All Image Credit: Victrola

Last year Victrola announced the Stream Carbon and Stream Onyx turntables that are designed to work with other Sonos products. Their latest streaming turntable pair, the Carbon Hi-Res and Onyx Hi-Res are not certified to work with Sonus but are fully compatible with Hi-Res audio over Bluetooth.

While these new models are termed Hi-Res, Bluetooth technologies are not truly high resolution, all requiring some level of compression. These two turntables use Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, which dynamically scales the bitrate to adjust quality between 279kbps and 420kbps for CD and hi-res quality music. Quite an increase in audio quality over standard Bluetooth. So once again you can stream your higher resolution vinyl collection to any compatible wireless speakers or wireless headphones around your home. For those using wired connections stereo RCA outputs are still available on both models. They are switchable between RIAA equalized line output and phono cartridge output allowing you to use your own pre-amp.

RCA outputs and controls

Both models feature similar technical specifications with the Carbon sporting a vibration dampening carbon fiber tonearm with Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge, while the Onyx uses an aluminum tonearm with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95E MM cartridge, both having removable headshells and adjustable counterweights.

Arm Comparison: Top Carbon, bottom Onyx

Carbon turntable with dust cover

Features At A Glance:

• AptX Adaptive and HD Audio – Built-in Hi-Res Bluetooth Audio Transmission to your compatible speakers and headphones (fully backward compatible with all Bluetooth devices).
• Gold-plated RCA Outs – For wired listening.
• User-Friendly Features – Front-facing controls, switchable preamp with traditional analog RCA outputs and auto-stop sensor to prevent stylus wear.

Specifications:

• Carbon: VPT-2500-BSL (Onyx: VPT-1500-BLK, differences):
  • Power Input: AC 100-240V ~ 50HZ/60HZ
  • Supported Bluetooth Codecs (V5.4): QUALCOMM® APTX ADAPTIVE, APTX HD, APTX SBC
  • Outputs: RCA (built in pre-amo), Phono
  • Material: MDF, Aluminum, Plastic & Carbon fiber (MDF, ALUMINUM, PLASTIC)
  • Drive Method: Belt-Drive
  • Platter: Die-cast Aluminum
  • Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Red (AUDIO TECHNICA AT-VM95E)
  • Motor: DC servo- controlled
  • Speeds: 33-1/3 RPM & 45 RPM
  • Phono pre-amp gain: 35 DB nominal, RIAA Equalized
  • Signal To Noise Ratio: > 45 DB
  • Wow & Flutter: < 0.175
  • Tonearm length: 225mm
  • Overhang: 18.50mm
  • Tracking error angle: <2 degrees
  • Power Input: AC 100-240V ~ 50HZ/60HZ
  • Weight: 6.15 KGS / 13.56 LBS (5.66 KGS / 12.48 LBS) (With cover)
  • Accessories Included: Dust cover, 45RPM adapter, 6′ RCA cable with ground

MSRP (Carbon/Onyx):

• US: $599.00 / $399.00
• UK: £599.00 / £399.00
• EU: €699.00 / €499.00

For more information visit the Victrola web site.

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