Not long ago I was in the market for a new turntable, and discovered there are Bluetooth turntables in the market. While I never considered a Bluetooth turntable, it got me wondering “WHY”?
My opinion (of course I don’t need to qualify this) is the reason we listen to vinyl is the analog sound quality that comes with the analog source. The Bluetooth turntable will convert the music to digital, then compress the signal, yielding an inferior sound when compared with maintaining analog. From my own experience, I can say if I spin an album, let’s use Led Zeppelin 3 and Since I’ve Been Loving You, then play that same song via Apple Music through my Bluesound Node through my wireless network, the album has a much nicer sound without question.
So, I ask, why would one choose to buy a Bluetooth turntable when you can get the same degraded sound through your iPhone? And please, don’t give me cost as a reason without thinking through that….
System 1: McIntosh 8900; Thorens 240-2 with Ortofon OM10 cartridge (I know, it needs an upgrade); B&W 805 D3, Yamaha MusicCast, Kenwood DP-850 CD player; Sony TC-WE305 cassette deck.
System 2: Simaudio Moon 340i; Rega P3 with Ortofon 2M Bronze MM cartridge; Dynaudio Special 40; Bluesound Node 2; LG DVD/CD player (a carryover….)