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Victrola CEO Scott Hagen says the company wants to make vinyl feel less intimidating to first-time listeners—not by insisting on a perfect, high-end hi-fi system, but by making setup more approachable. The interview’s examples are the fully automatic, Bluetooth-enabled Victrola Automatic turntable and Soundstage, a compact soundbase intended to combine speakers and amplification beneath a turntable.
Why Victrola thinks new vinyl listeners need a simpler start
Hagen describes a barrier that is less about interest in records than about what happens after someone buys one: choosing equipment that looks appealing, sounds good and does not feel difficult or intimidating to set up. He says Victrola wants to reject the idea that analogue listening must be perfect to count as hi-fi.
“There’s a bias that it’s very difficult to get a great sounding, great looking product that’s not hard or scary to set up,” Hagen told What Hi-Fi? “What we don’t love is scaring people with this hi-fi, snobbish ‘analogue has to be perfect’ mindset … so, we want to take the fear away.”
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That is a company design goal, not independent evidence that every Victrola product is easy to use or performs to a particular standard. In the Oct. 6, 2026 interview, What Hi-Fi? said it had not yet fully reviewed Victrola’s products.
#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.
What the interview says about vinyl buyers
What Hi-Fi? cited a report finding that 30 per cent of Gen Z vinyl buyers did not own a turntable. It also reported a 2023 Luminate figure that 50 per cent of people in the US who bought a record within a 12-month window owned a turntable. These are figures as reported in the interview; the underlying Gen Z report is not identified in the passage, and the figures should not be read as a complete account of how every buyer listens to records.
Hagen’s intended audience includes someone who has bought vinyl—or is considering a record player for the first time—and thinks, “this looks like a lot of fun.” He argues that accessible equipment can make that first step easier while leaving room for listeners who want to explore more involved systems later.
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.
How Victrola’s examples aim to reduce setup friction
Automatic turntable
The interview points to Victrola’s Automatic as an example of a more approachable turntable. It is described 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 operation and convenience; the interview does not establish comparative sound quality.
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Soundstage soundbase
Victrola describes Soundstage as a compact soundbase designed to sit beneath a turntable and consolidate speakers and amplification in one device. Its stated connections are RCA, USB-C, 3.5 mm AUX, Bluetooth and Auracast. Victrola says it is designed to pair with its Wave and Automatic turntables and can also work with many other turntables and 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.
The practical trade-off is integrated versus separate equipment. One device may mean fewer components to place and connect, while a modular system lets a listener choose and change the turntable, amplifier and speakers separately. Soundstage’s connectivity and compatibility are manufacturer descriptions, not the result of an independent comparison in the interview.
What to consider when choosing a first vinyl setup
- Setup: Decide whether you want automatic operation and a consolidated system, or are comfortable connecting separate components and learning their controls.
- Space: An integrated soundbase is designed to reduce the need for separate speakers and amplification; separate components require space for each device.
- Connections: Match the system’s inputs and wireless options to the sources you actually plan to use. Soundstage lists RCA, USB-C, 3.5 mm AUX, Bluetooth and Auracast.
- Room to grow: A one-device approach prioritizes simplicity. Separate components provide more flexibility to change individual parts, though they also require more setup decisions.
- Sound expectations: The cited interview does not provide independent side-by-side testing, so it cannot establish whether an integrated or modular system sounds better.
Soundstage price and availability vary by market
Victrola’s Jan. 6, 2026 announcement listed Soundstage at $349.99 with availability planned for Summer 2026. The product page displayed $329.99 when accessed, while a Victrola PR agency notice said it was available in the US for $349 and scheduled for European availability from Oct. 1, 2026 at £299 and €329. These figures differ by source and date; check the live listing for your market before buying.
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.
Victrola’s announcement also describes vibration isolation, a down-firing Symmetric Drive Woofer and front-facing Balanced Mode Radiators. These are manufacturer descriptions; the available interview and announcement do not provide independent test results establishing how Soundstage compares with separate speakers and amplification.
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What Hagen’s pitch does—and does not—establish
Hagen’s argument is about lowering the barrier to entry: make it easier to get a first system working, and do not make newcomers feel that enjoying records requires mastering a demanding hi-fi setup. His view is that people can enjoy music through different formats and levels of equipment; as he puts it, “there’s more music being consumed today, in all different ways, than there was 20 or 30 years ago.”
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
That approach may suit a listener who values straightforward operation, limited space or fewer components. It is not proof that an integrated product is the right choice for every listener, nor a substitute for independent reviews that compare sound quality, usability and value. What Hi-Fi?’s interview is a useful account of Victrola’s design philosophy and product positioning, rather than a verdict on product performance.
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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.
