5 Best Turntable For Seamless Sonos Integration Reviews

As an audiophile, I appreciate the authenticity of vinyl records, but I understand many people’s desire for cutting-edge technology. The integration of turntables with Sonos systems is, admittedly, a popular choice and an opportunity to transform analog sound into a modern multi-room experience. While it may not be my go-to choice (because analog sound doesn’t involve digitizing), I cannot ignore the growing trend of using turntables in symbiosis with these intelligent audio systems. Therefore, in this article, I will tell you about the best turntables for Sonos. If you are interested in making this symbiosis harmonious and want to know which turntable models are better suited for it, read on!

Our pick

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

Best turntable for Sonos

This update of the AT-LP120-USB turntable features a new DC servo direct-drive motor, along with adjustable dynamic anti-skate control and selectable phono preamplifier. Read the full review.

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Turntables for Sonos comparison table

Understanding Sonos compatibility

Before hooking up vinyl players with Sonos, it’s important to get what you need for them to play nice together. There are two types of players to consider:

• Players with a built-in preamp;
• Players without a built-in preamp.

If you’ve got the first type, you can plug the player straight into an audio system like Sonos. For the second type, you’ll need an extra preamp, which connects to your audio system.

In this article, we’re looking at the models with built-in preamps – the easier option where you don’t have to buy any extra gear.

Also, it’s good to know how to link up your player with the system. The straightforward way is to connect the player’s line output to the speaker. If your receiver has a phono input (even the budget-friendly ones have it), go for it when hooking up your turntable. That little phone thing helps make your vinyl sound better by amplifying and fixing up the frequencies.

You can go wireless with Wi-Fi (I’ll talk about one of those models in the review). It’s convenient – no messy wires, and it looks tidy. But be aware there might be hiccups and signal drops, depending on stuff like how far the player is from the router or if there’s something in the way.

So, with Sonos, it’s key that your products have a phono input. For a compatibility check, just hit up Sonos’ official website. And we move on to the most interesting part – the review of the models I’ve selected and tested.

Best turntable for Sonos reviews

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB – best overall

Modern, stylish, and functional – that’s the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK for you. I decided to talk about it first in this article because, in my humble opinion (as well as from numerous tests), it’s the best record player for Sonos. This fully manual player firmly holds its ground among mid-budget models and boldly aims for my personal “wow” rating in this price range. Let’s dive into the details!

This vinyl player is genuinely stylish – I’m just in love with it. It boasts a fantastic matte finish body that can hardly leave anyone indifferent. Some may not fancy players with matte bodies because fingerprints and dust are more noticeable on such surfaces. However, I’d personally prefer to be careful and not touch the surfaces unnecessarily, all while enjoying this style. The body is made of plastic but feels durable and high-quality. The aluminum platter and detachable lid make the device secure and stable.

The AT-LP120XUSB-BK provides extensive functional capabilities. It features a direct-drive DC servo motor, adjustable anti-skating, and a removable headshell AT-HS6 with the AT-VM95E cartridge. The built-in preamp lets you connect to any audio system, even without a phono input. You can easily convert your vinyl records into a digital format with a USB output and Audacity software.

Since we’re talking about the best Sonos-compatible turntable, I, of course, tried using the AT-LP120XUSB-BK with the Sonos system. It definitely adds an extra advantage. For successful interaction, your player needs to have a built-in preamp. This is a standard feature in this model.

Connecting to Sonos is quite simple. Ensure the built-in preamp is activated, connect the player to the Sonos sound panel via the audio input, or use an adapter if necessary. Add a new audio device to the Sonos app and select your player. That’s it; you can start listening to your vinyl records.

Pro-Ject T1 – also a great choice

The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB turntable in the “Walnut” casing grabs attention with its design, build quality and sound. It takes the honorable second spot in this Sonos turntable review because I believe this model also deserves special attention. It’s also a mid-budget model, just like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB, but the price more than justifies the playback quality the Pro-Ject T1 is aiming for.

The turntable’s casing leaves an impression. The design is stylish and crafted from premium materials. Lately, I’ve been encountering more and more plastic casings in devices, but wooden motifs, you’ll agree, add a special vibe.

Particularly noteworthy is the 8-millimeter glass platter. It’s also equipped with an OM 5E MM cartridge. By the way, this is a pretty decent cartridge for a mid-budget model. The one-piece tonearm (with an effective length of 8.6 inches) features low-friction bearings for accuracy. Plus, it comes with a built-in phono preamp and electronic speed control, so you don’t have to fuss with extra gear. It ensures rotational stability and significantly reduces vibrations. This allows you to count on high-quality playback.

I can’t say that the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is straightforward to set up. However, recently, a close friend chose this turntable as a birthday gift for his 17-year-old sister, and she easily set it up without external assistance (even though she had no experience, as it was her first turntable).

It’s essential to note that I observed some sensitivity issues with the stylus, so paying attention to this aspect is important. Also, the spindle size may pose difficulties with certain records.

I tested this turntable in various setups. Using it with the Emotiva TA-100 amplifier and speaker system, including modified Dayton Audio MK442 monitors, produced a very respectable sound. An additional benefit is the felt mat, which genuinely enhances sound quality. From my experience with this model, I can confidently highlight the high rotational stability of the glass platter and the absence of background noise. For beginners, I recommend paying attention to proper setup and tracking force adjustment. Some parameters may require additional tuning, even if they claim to be factory-set.

Since we’re discussing a record player that connects to Sonos, I also tested it in that capacity. I want to share a few important compatibility aspects. The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is equipped with RCA for speaker connections and Phono/Line switchable connectors. This makes it easy to connect to various audio systems, including those compatible with Sonos. The turntable comes with a built-in phono preamp, so you can connect it directly to Sonos devices without the need for additional external preamps. So you won’t have any unnecessary hassle. You can also use the built-in phono preamp or connect the turntable to the line input of your Sonos-compatible device. It all depends on the system configuration.

Victrola Stream Onyx – wireless

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that there is a model with wireless connectivity. That moment has come! We’re talking about the Victrola Stream. Let’s dive deeper into my impressions from testing this model.

The Victrola Stream Onyx stands out with its elegant design and decent build quality. Oh, that matte black finish! It creates a stylish and modern appearance. It can spin your vinyl at two speeds – 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. And to keep things smooth, they throw in a Victrola silicone slipmat. Components like the carbon tonearm and Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge highlight the manufacturer’s attention to detail.

But why didn’t they add a true protective cover? This raised concerns about dust and wear. And since I’ve ventured into critique, I’d prefer a heavier casing for additional stability.

But it’s not just about the aesthetics here. The tonearm is made from carbon fiber, which is lightweight but super strong. The aluminum headshell adds stability. Most often, it comes with The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge, which provides decent sound quality. But you can improve the sound even further with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge option, which is an even better choice. In short, the Victrola Stream Onyx has style and potential for excellent sound (which will also depend on the other elements of your setup) — everything needed for vinyl enthusiasts.

I tested the Victrola Stream Onyx for about a week. The sound was rich, with good detailing and pronounced nuances. The low frequencies were deep, and the highs were clear. Although the overall sound quality was good, I encountered some instability in signal delivery at certain playback points several times. That was disappointing.

Connectivity-wise, it’s pretty flexible. With this device, you can wirelessly stream your favorite vinyl records throughout your home, thanks to built-in compatibility with Sonos. Setup is through the Victrola Stream app. However, I can’t say the setup goes smoothly in every case. Connection stability issues with Sonos may arise, sometimes requiring additional adjustments.

Sony PS-LX310BT

Sony PS-LX310BT is a modern wireless turntable. It’s quite easy to use (automatic start, stop, and return) and offers various playback options (USB-B or RCA, Bluetooth). Let’s take a closer look at what else it has to offer.

The turntable is made of sufficiently high-quality materials. The aluminum die-cast platter ensures stable rotation. This positively affects the clarity of sound reproduction. The plastic body is lightweight, but it still seemed quite durable to me. So the device is resistant to damage.

I’ve already mentioned that it’s easy to use. This is thanks to the automatic start, stop, and return in a single step. There are two speed modes: 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM, with an additional adapter for 7-inch records. Equipped with a conical stylus (caters to the playback needs of both LPs and 7-inch records). It has a built-in switchable phono/line output with three gain levels. So you can expect a relatively decent sound.

Bluetooth connection is a significant plus for many modern music lovers. Yes, you can connect it to speakers, headphones, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. I personally tested its ability to produce clean, natural sound. I listened to Taylor Swift’s records through high-quality headphones and a Samsung sound panel via Bluetooth. Overall, the sound quality was comparable to other high-resolution sources. USB Ripping is also appealing. The ability to copy vinyl records into digital MP3 files on a computer for on-the-go listening.

Despite several positive qualities, I want to note some drawbacks. Firstly, the placement of the power button on the rear side is inconvenient. I don’t know who came up with putting it there, but it’s terribly inconvenient. Also, the rigid connection of RCA cables is a significant inconvenience.

The turntable can be easily connected to the Sonos system via Bluetooth or a wired RCA connection. So it’s convenient to use with other devices in your audio setup.

Fluance RT81

The last in my selection and the only one that comes bundled with Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers is the Fluance Elite HiFi Turntable. Considering its cost, it’s a good integrated system that offers decent functionality.

The turntable features a modern design with the use of engineered wood. But honestly, it seemed to me that it might not be solid wood. At the bottom, there is an MDF element covering and providing access to the internals. I would prefer to see solid wood with a cutout for internal components. Nevertheless, the sound is commendable in combination with the Fluance Ai41 speakers.

The turntable comes with high-performance components. This includes the Audio Technica ATN95E diamond stylus, a rubber mat, an S-type tonearm, and a Texas Instruments preamp that reproduces sound as the artist intended. The Ai41 speakers include 5-inch fiberglass woofers and neodymium magnets, ensuring detailed mid-frequencies and clean, undistorted bass.

Switching between vinyl records and music streaming via Bluetooth is easy. The “plug and play” setup will delight vinyl enthusiasts, especially beginners.

What about the sound? I listened to The Dark Side of the Moon. I carefully placed the needle on the track, and I want to say that the precise diamond stylus of the Audio Technica ATN95E reproduces the finest details. The sound is rich and full. The Ai41 woofers deliver powerful bass, and the vocals are clear. I was pleased with the playback quality.

The turntable is Sonos compatible. Connecting is straightforward. The player comes with a built-in preamplifier and RCA cables. However, universal USB-C adapters are usually devices with analog output. The Sonos device accepts analog input.