Victrola CEO Scott Hagen says the company wants first-time vinyl listeners to feel that playing records can be approachable, not a test of hi-fi expertise. In an interview published by What Hi-Fi? on October 6, 2026, he described a design approach focused on easier setup and cited the Automatic turntable as one example. The interview was not a product review, so its descriptions of Victrola’s products are company positioning, not independent findings about sound quality.
Why Victrola says new listeners can be intimidated
Hagen identifies a perceived trade-off: listeners may assume that finding a record player that looks and sounds good means accepting a difficult setup. He says Victrola wants to counter what he calls a “hi-fi, snobbish ‘analogue has to be perfect’ mindset” and “take the fear away.”
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His intended audience includes people considering a record player for the first time because vinyl looks like fun. The practical promise is a “simple set-up to get a quality solution,” rather than a requirement to master a traditional collection of separate hi-fi components before listening.
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What the Automatic turntable illustrates
In the interview, Victrola’s Automatic turntable is the concrete example of its approachable-design pitch. What Hi-Fi? describes it as Bluetooth-enabled and fully automatic, with a repeat function that can play one side again without the listener manually resetting it. Those features address routine operation and convenience; they do not, by themselves, establish how the turntable sounds compared with other models.
#1 Best Overall
- THREE SPEED BELT-DRIVEN TURNTABLE - This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) suitcase record player features UPGRADED PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY and sits on sound isolating feet that prevent vibration. It is perfect for your living room, bedroom or office.
- TAKE YOUR TUNES ANYWHERE - Housed in a vintage suitcase with an easy carry handle, Victrola's blend of retro and contemporary design give you the ultimate flexibility to listen to music where you want and how you want – a great choice for vinyl lovers. Clean only with a dry cloth
- EXPANDED CONNECTION OPTIONS - Stream smartphone audio through the turntable’s built-in Bluetooth speakers. Easily connect external speakers via the stereo RCA outputs, or use the Line input for non-Bluetooth devices like a CD player. For personal listening, connect your headphones to the headphone jack.
- NO STEREO SYSTEM OR EXTRA EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Get it up and running in minutes. Retro looks combined with the convenience of modern technology makes this affordable record player ideal for beginners & vintage enthusiasts
- ALL THE CONTROLS YOU NEED - Features an Input select knob, Power/Volume Knob & an Auto stop switch that stops spinning records once the record is finished playing.
The broader choice is between a more integrated, straightforward setup and a manual turntable used with separate system components. A modular system can suit listeners who want to choose and connect components individually. A more automated approach may suit someone who values fewer steps. The interview does not establish that one approach is better for every listener.
What the reported vinyl figures do—and do not—show
What Hi-Fi? cited a report saying 30 per cent of Gen Z vinyl buyers did not own a turntable. It also cited Luminate’s 2023 figure that, in the US, 50 per cent of people who had bought a record within a 12-month period owned a turntable. These figures are reported by What Hi-Fi?; the underlying survey material and methodology are not set out in the interview passage.
Rank #2
- THREE SPEED BELT-DRIVEN TURNTABLE - This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) suitcase record player features UPGRADED PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY and sits on sound isolating feet that prevent vibration. It is perfect for your living room, bedroom or office.
- TAKE YOUR TUNES ANYWHERE - Housed in a vintage suitcase with an easy carry handle, Victrola's blend of retro and contemporary design give you the ultimate flexibility to listen to music where you want and how you want – a great choice for vinyl lovers. Clean only with a dry cloth
- EXPANDED CONNECTION OPTIONS - Stream smartphone audio through the turntable’s built-in Bluetooth speakers. Easily connect external speakers via the stereo RCA outputs, or use the Line input for non-Bluetooth devices like a CD player. For personal listening, connect your headphones to the headphone jack.
- NO STEREO SYSTEM OR EXTRA EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Get it up and running in minutes. Retro looks combined with the convenience of modern technology makes this affordable record player ideal for beginners & vintage enthusiasts
- ALL THE CONTROLS YOU NEED - Features an Input select knob, Power/Volume Knob & an Auto stop switch that stops spinning records once the record is finished playing.
The figures suggest that buying records and owning a turntable do not always go together. They do not establish why buyers lack a player, nor do they show that every record buyer without a turntable has no way to listen.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSoundstage: an integrated option for speakers and amplification
Victrola’s Soundstage is a compact soundbase designed to sit beneath a turntable, consolidating speakers and amplification in one device. The company describes it as a way to reduce the need to assemble a system from separate speakers and an amplifier. Its listed connections include RCA, USB-C, 3.5 mm AUX, Bluetooth and Auracast. Victrola says it is designed to pair with its Wave and Automatic turntables and also works with many other turntables and audio sources.
Rank #3
- THREE SPEED BELT-DRIVEN TURNTABLE - This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) suitcase record player features UPGRADED PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY and sits on sound isolating feet that prevent vibration. It is perfect for your living room, bedroom or office.
- TAKE YOUR TUNES ANYWHERE - Housed in a vintage suitcase with an easy carry handle, Victrola's blend of retro and contemporary design give you the ultimate flexibility to listen to music where you want and how you want – a great choice for vinyl lovers. Clean only with a dry cloth
- EXPANDED CONNECTION OPTIONS - Stream smartphone audio through the turntable’s built-in Bluetooth speakers. Easily connect external speakers via the stereo RCA outputs, or use the Line input for non-Bluetooth devices like a CD player. For personal listening, connect your headphones to the headphone jack.
- NO STEREO SYSTEM OR EXTRA EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Get it up and running in minutes. Retro looks combined with the convenience of modern technology makes this affordable record player ideal for beginners & vintage enthusiasts
- ALL THE CONTROLS YOU NEED - Features an Input select knob, Power/Volume Knob & an Auto stop switch that stops spinning records once the record is finished playing.
Victrola’s January 2026 announcement describes the Soundstage as vibration-isolated and names a down-firing Symmetric Drive Woofer and front-facing Balanced Mode Radiators. These are manufacturer descriptions, not independently verified performance claims in the interview. The integrated format may be worth considering if space and fewer separate components matter; listeners who want to select their own speakers and amplification may prefer a modular setup.
Price and availability have varied by market and source date. Victrola’s January announcement gave a US price of $349.99 and said availability was expected in Summer 2026. The product page displayed $329.99 when accessed, while a Victrola PR agency notice said US availability at $349 and European availability from October 1, 2026 at £299 and €329. Check the current market-specific listing for the latest price and stock.
Rank #4
- 6-in-1 ENTERTAINMENT CENTER – With vintage looks on the outside & modern features inside, listen your way; vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, AM/FM radio or stream music from your smartphone via Bluetooth or 3.5 mm Aux/headphone jack.
- NO STEREO SYSTEM OR EXTRA EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Get it up and running in minutes. Retro looks combined with the convenience of modern technology make this record player a great value - ideal for beginners & vintage enthusiasts alike.
- THREE SPEED BELT-DRIVEN TURNTABLE – This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) record player features UPGRADED PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY with minimum vibrations. It is perfect for your living room, bedroom or office and a great choice for vinyl lovers.
- EXPANDED CONNECTION OPTIONS – Extend the sound by connecting external speakers or an amplifier via the RCA Line outputs (cable included). For personal listening, plug your headphones into the headphone jack.
- ALL THE CONTROLS YOU NEED – Features an input select knob, power button, volume knob, FM tuner, play/pause/fast forward/rewind buttons, program & repeat buttons, open/close button for CD tray, eject switch for cassettes - everything is right there.
How to choose an approachable record-player setup
Hagen’s argument is not that every new listener needs an automatic turntable or an all-in-one speaker system. Use the practical questions below to decide how much integration and setup you want.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- How much setup do you want to do? Automatic operation can reduce routine handling; a manual turntable asks the listener to take more direct control.
- Do you already own audio equipment? Existing speakers and components may make a separate turntable a better fit than a soundbase.
- How much space is available? A device that combines speakers and amplification may reduce the number of separate boxes, while a modular system needs space for its components.
- Which connections do you need? Compare the player and audio system’s actual inputs and wireless options against the sources you plan to use.
- Do you want to expand or change components later? Separate equipment gives you choices about individual components; an integrated device prioritizes consolidation.
What Hi-Fi? said it had not yet fully reviewed Victrola’s products when the interview was published. The interview therefore supports understanding the company’s design aims and stated features, but not a conclusion about comparative sound quality or value from independent testing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6-IN-1 MUSIC CENTER – The Victrola Century pairs mid-century modern design with a 3-speed turntable, Bluetooth, VINYLSTREAM output, CD player, cassette player, and 3.5 mm aux input for versatile playback options
- BUILT-IN STEREO SPEAKERS – Enjoy rich, room-filling sound with built-in, custom-tuned speakers engineered for premium audio performance without the need for external components
- BLUETOOTH INPUT – Stream music directly from your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, eliminating clutter and cables for a seamless setup
- VINYLSTREAM BLUETOOTH OUTPUT - Stream your favorite records directly to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones with integrated VINYLSTREAM Bluetooth output
- PRIVATE & EXPANDABLE LISTENING – Use the built-in headphone jack for solo sessions, or connect to external systems through the RCA output for enhanced flexibility
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
