Analog Gear News

The press day for CES 2024 is officially underway, and one of the first analog-centric product announcements comes from Victrola, who are officially unveiling their new Stream Sapphire turntable.

According to Victrola, the Stream Sapphire turntable, quote, “builds on the DNA of Victrola’s flagship Stream Carbon,” and it also “expands on its connectivity solutions with the ability to stream vinyl in stunning clarity to Sonos, UPnP, and Roon integrated systems, as well as support for up to 24-bit/48kHz lossless FLAC audio.” (Almost a full year ago, we reported on the Sonos-friendly Victrola Stream Onyx VPT-2000-BLK-ATE turntable here.)

The vintage-looking Victrola Stream Sapphire ’table sports a low-resonance MDF plinth with a bespoke real walnut veneer, along with adjustable-height aluminum feet with a sound dampening base for “easy self-leveling and vibration isolation.” The two-speed brushless motor provides “quiet and consistent” speed control, while the included Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge is attached to a removable headshell. The Sapphire’s carbon-fiber tonearm is said to bring “improved frequency range and tracking.”

Identical to the balance of Victrola’s Stream turntable line, the Sapphire’s illuminated control knob provides an “easy-to-use, tactile control for volume and playback directly from the turntable,” while its gold-plated RCA outputs “allow for playback with wired systems or powered speakers.”

As for its multiple wireless connectivity options, the Stream Sapphire operates “easily” through the Victrola Stream app. In just a few steps, Roon subscribers and owners of UPnP network-enabled streaming devices (A/V receivers, UPnP speakers, and smart TVs) can access the “wireless vinyl experience” with no additional equipment required.

“The Victrola Stream turntable line was created out of a need to provide a seamless, integrated wireless solution to enjoy vinyl no matter where the listener is in their home,” Victrola CEO Scott Hagen said in a press statement. “After hearing from both consumers and the integrator community, we recognized an opportunity to build on that promise by opening our ecosystem to include other popular streaming options while also elevating the turntable itself to a level we’ve never introduced in the market before.” Concluded Hagen, “Victrola Stream Sapphire is a perfectly crafted audiophile-level wireless vinyl solution that meets vinyl purists’ standards while giving integrators the most versatile turntable for any project.”

Finally, the Victrola Stream Sapphire turntable is projected to be made available this spring, and its SRP is $1,499.

For more about Victrola go here.
To find an authorized Victrola dealer near you, go here.

VICTROLA STREAM SAPPHIRE TURNTABLE
($1,499)

Features & Specs
Power input: AC100-240V ~ 50Hz/60Hz
Connectivity: Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
Outputs: RCA (built-in preamp)
Materials: MDF, aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber
Dimensions: 16.93 x 4.37 x 13.58in (w/h/d)
Accessories: dust cover, 45rpm adapter
Drive method: Belt drive
Platter: Die-cast aluminum
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Blue
Motor: DC brushless
Speeds: 33 1/3rpm, 45rpm
S/N ratio: >45dB
Wow & flutter: <0.25
Tonearm length: 225mm
Overhang: 18.5mm
Tracking error angle: <2 degrees