Victrola’s new ‘Hi-Res’ turntables offer Bluetooth LE and aptX Adaptive support

The next Victrola up high? Why, Hi-Res Carbon or Hi-Res Onyx!

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Victrola has been fashioning decks for 115 years now but far from resting on its laurels, the Denver Colorado firm wants to lead the high-fidelity turntable revolution via a new lineup of ‘hi-res’ turntables boasting Qualcomm aptX Adaptive support.

Regular readers will remember our recentVictrola Stream Carbon review(theSonos-compatible deck I raved aboutbecause it makes tangible music so accessible to the vinyl-curious) and the two new Victrola decks look relatively similar to this as well as theStream Carbon. But despite the similar aesthetics and naming strategies, they are quite different beasts.

Hi-Res Carbon and Hi-Res Onyx expand Victrola’s ‘more premium’ turntable offerings (although MSRPs of $599 for the Hi-Res Carbon $399 for the Hi-Res Onyx are still very much entry-level figures for the analog audiophile) to promise high-fidelity wiredandwireless vinyl experiences, including Bluetooth 5.4 (yes, you read that correctly),Bluetooth LE Audioand aptX Adaptive support.

To clarify, this means the vinyl you’re spinning on the Victrola (up hiiiigh) can be pinged to your nearestbest Bluetooth speaker– and you could even use the company’s ownVictrola ME1or ME2 (which aremy pick for a retro-style setup. Yes, even over a Marshall Bluetooth speaker). This solution is unlike theLenco LS-410, for example, in that the Lenco deck includes a Bluetooth speaker within its build – so the Lenco proposition canreceivea Bluetooth signal from an external device such as your phone, the Victrola can transmit the vinyl playing on its platter to your Bluetooth device, which could also be a set of thebest wireless headphones(ideally aptX Adaptive enabled ones to get the goods).

Opnion: Victrola adds versatility to vinyl – and I applaud it

For those seeking a more traditional analog listening experience, theHi-Res models also feature gold-plated RCA outputs for active or powered wired speakers, or integration into component-based systems (eg. a more traditional pre- and power amp combination, hooked up to a set of passive speakers – see ourbest stereo speakersguide for examples of each).

Victrola tells us that the combination of advanced tech, high-quality materials and an approachable set-up to vinyl was paramount in the development of its Hi-Res turntables.

So let’s dig into those! Both the VictrolaHi-Res Carbon and Victrola Hi-Res Onyx feature a low-resonance veneered MDF plinth as well as premium metal turntable components and platter. User-friendly features also include a switchable pre-amp with traditional analog RCA outputs, an auto-stop sensor to prevent stylus wear in addition to custom-designed, removable headshells.

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And the differences go beyond the finishes! Additional Hi-Res Carbon Features include a two-tone black and silver body with a metal front plate, vibration dampening carbon-fiber tonearm that places minimal weight on the record and an Ortofon 2M Red moving magnetic cartridge.

Additional Hi-Res Onyx Features aside from the all-black signature Onyx design reminiscent of its name include an aluminum tonearm (a sturdy yet light component) and an Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge.

Victrola Hi-Res Carbon(MSRP: $599) andHi-Res Onyx(MSRP: $399) are now available for purchase, which means prices start from around £320 or AU$625, although availability and official pricing for these regions is not yet known.

So, is one of these new Hi-Res decks about to feature in ourbest turntablesroundup? Time will tell, but on paper there’s an awful lot to like. Having listened at length to the Stream Carbon (which I maintain isthe turntable Sonos would make, if only Sonos made such things) I am thrilled to see the design being carried over.

Given the versatility of analog listening plus better quality Bluetooth streaming on offer, if the sound is good, I think Victrola’s Hi-Res decks represent excellent value.

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Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.

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