Sound Advice: Bluetooth turntables work with analog systems

Q: I read your comments about the Bluetooth turntables and had to wonder, doesn’t the introduction of Bluetooth to the otherwise analog system eliminate the supposed value of listening to vinyl? The analog signal mechanically transferred from the LP would become digital to transmit over Bluetooth, and that eliminates the supposed value of turntables and vinyl, doesn’t it?

A: I don’t think it eliminates the value of vinyl and turntables. Yes, having a system that is completely analog and wired from beginning to end is ideal. But even if Bluetooth is involved, the source itself is analog, and vinyl records have a different sound than digital sources, which are often, if not always, compressed, cleaned up and modified for playback.

Having a turntable also opens up the vast depth and breadth of music that is available on vinyl, new and used. Much of this used vinyl is available very inexpensively, and once you have the turntable, collecting records is fun and inexpensive. Being able to use a turntable with a Bluetooth speaker opens up the hobby to many more people, and as I noted, you can use it wired with a stereo system and also connected via Bluetooth to a speaker in another room. It all adds up to a win in my book.

If you have any of your gift budget left, here are three things you can buy for yourself for under $30 and one that’s more but still is a good deal.

Muzen OTR Magnetic Speaker, $21.99: This tiny, thin retro-styled Bluetooth speaker is a 3D refrigerator magnet. It reinforces the sound using the surface it is mounted on, and owners are attaching them to refrigerators, washing machines and toolboxes to bring sound to workspaces without taking up any room. It lists for $29.99, but the coupon code SAVEFOR8 on Amazon reduces the price $8 to $21.99.

Anker Nano USB-C Power Bank, $19.99: Never run out of power with this tiny, innovative power bank with a folding USB-C connector. I’ve seen it on sale for $15.99 in stores like Best Buy. It’s great for an emergency charge.

Austere V Series Clean & Protect, $29.99: This perennial favorite is the best and safest product on the market for cleaning your electronics and display screens. It is allergen-free, antibacterial, streak-free, anti-static and comes with a special cleaning cloth. It’s great for car screens as well. (austere.com)

TEAC PD-301-X CD player/FM tuner for $299: Earlier this year I wrote about this excellent component that incorporates an audiophile-quality CD player and an FM tuner in a single, compact package. It’s solid and stylish, a pleasure to use and sounds fantastic. At the $549 introductory price, it represented very good value. Given few stereo receivers are sold now and the marketplace has largely gone to integrated amplifiers, the PD-301-X becomes especially compelling because it goes a long way towards completing a system. An integrated amplifier, a turntable and a PD-301-X are all the components most people will need besides the speakers.

Until Dec. 31, TEAC has the PD-301-X on sale for $299. That’s pretty much unheard of for an audiophile quality CD player, and getting FM as part of the deal makes it even more of a standout bargain. (teacusa.com)

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.