Suitcase turntables can’t be beat for portability.
The problem is that they’re all low quality. Of course, that also means a low price.
The Vinyl Music On Suitcase Stereo Record Player With Bluetooth is no exception.
But it stands out above most competing models. It made our list of the best portable record players, though it is toward the bottom of that list, not the top.
It is a good option if you want a budget model or portability. But it’s generally not the best option. Let’s take a closer look and find out why, and also which alternatives might be better.
Vinyl Music On Suitcase Record Player Review: Overview And Features
Vinyl Music On definitely went for a heavy dose of nostalgia with their latest suitcase style record player. It comes in six different varieties, although four of them are very similar. They only differ in the inclusion of Bluetooth capability.
This turntable has all of the standard features you find on any competing model. There is nothing surprising and nothing missing.
Overall, the quality is about on par with competing models as well. The speakers are a bit weaker than some others.
We generally prefer two other models (see below), but that is primarily because those brands have a longer history of making decent budget players and because they both have a ton of color options.
Let’s take a look at the main features.
Features
- 14.7″ x 6.3″ x 10.2″ — a bit larger than competing models
- Weighs 7 pounds — a bit heavier than competing models
- Fully-automatic belt-driven turntable — less noise distortion from the motor, so better sound quality
- 3.5mm auxiliary input slot — allows smartphone or tablet connectivity
- Can play records at speeds of 331/3, 45 and 78 RPM — will play any record
- Built-in stereo speakers — no need for additional equipment (but speakers are not great)
- Headphone and RCA jacks — connect to external speakers or headphones
- Bluetooth capable — connect smartphone or tablet wirelessly
Design
At first glance, you will see a portable suitcase style player with a vintage briefcase look. But if you compare it directly with other suitcase record players, you will notice that this one is a bit on the bulky size. It is definitely portable, but slightly larger and heavier than the best competing models.
The color choices also leave a lot to be desired. You have two black and two turquoise models, one with Bluetooth and one without. Then you have one with a black wood design and one with a dark brown wood look, neither of which have Bluetooth.
Basically, if you want Bluetooth connectivity, you have only two options. If you don’t need it, you have four.
The body is made of solid audio-graded wood. This gives it a sturdy feel and a good sound resonance. As mentioned, you can close and lock the lid for transport. It has a handle as well, to make carrying easy and to complete the briefcase look.
Bluetooth Capable
Speaking of the Bluetooth capability, it is important to note that it is input only. This means you can use it to connect to a smartphone or other device, in order to play music from that device through the record player. In essence, it functions as a receiver.
You can not, however, connect to a pair of Bluetooth speakers. This may not be completely clear from the product description.
Inputs And Outputs
The Vinyl Music On Turntable has the same inputs and outputs as most other suitcase units. That means it has a 3.5 mm auxiliary input (or line in) to connect to a smartphone or other device and play music off it. It also has a headphone output. I’m sure you can guess what that is for.
Finally, it has RCA outputs, which allow you to connect to external speakers. You’ll need to connect to an amplifier first (or a receiver or other component that contains an amplifier) or to a pair of self-powered speakers. The turntable contains an internal preamp.
Speakers
The record player also comes with two small built-in speakers. As you would expect, these speakers aren’t exactly powerful enough to handle your entire audio system or for use during a party, but they’re loud enough for casual use.
Built-in speakers that are too quiet is a common issue with suitcase type units. The speakers in this one are actually a bit worse than most. Personally, I would only ever use the speakers if I had no other option.
Whenever at home, I would connect the unit to a receiver and play my music through a set of real speakers. And if in a location that has real speakers, I would hook up to those, instead of relying on the built-in ones.
Three Speed
This record player can handle 33, 45, and 78 RPM, for playing 7, 10 and 12 inch records. It comes with a speed switch that you will need to manually change based on the type of record you’re playing. This is fairly standard. Most modern record players play all three speeds, or two at the very least.
Cartridge And Stylus
The cartridge and tonearm are nothing special and neither is the stylus, to be honest. But it does have a diamond tip, which is a nice touch. It’ll last you a bit longer than the styli on most competing models and you won’t have to worry about it scratching up your precious vinyl either.
Vinyl Music On Suitcase Advantages And Disadvantages
Pros
- Beautiful vintage design
- Three-speed
- Low-price
- Diamond-tipped needle
- Natural wood finish
- Solid audio-graded wood construction (MDF)
- Bluetooth capable
Cons
- Speakers are not great
- Bluetooth is input only (can’t connect speakers)
- Few color options
- Larger and heavier than other suitcase models
Performance
The Vinyl Music On suitcase turntable performs pretty well for a suitcase style player. But that isn’t saying much.
Suitcase players are notoriously low quality. While this one is better than most (but not the best), it definitely does not produce the type of sound quality you get from the best record players.
Granted, you can improve the sound a lot by swapping out the cartridge and stylus (and probably the platter and entire tonearm as well) and by hooking the unit up to an amplifier and external speakers via the RCA outputs.
But if it’s excellent sound quality you’re after, you should not be looking at suitcase players anyway. These models are designed to be portable.
Get them if you want a record player you can take with you when you hit the road. Do not get them if you want to enjoy your vinyl collection from the comfort of your home. There are far better options for that at only a slightly higher price.
Comparison To The Competition
The Vinyl Music On record player is a good choice if you want a vintage briefcase style model that you can take on the road. But it is honestly not the best choice for that. And if you’re looking for a player to keep in your home, it is not a good choice at all.
If your main priority is a suitcase type of record player, then there are several other models we prefer. The best two are the Crosley Cruiser and this one from Victrola.
Those two models are very similar and they both have several advantages over this one from Vinyl Music On. First, they are both smaller and weigh less.
They also have far more color options to choose from. Specifically, there are 22 different Crosleys and 33 different Victrolas. There is definitely something for everyone.
Neither of these units has great speakers, but they are a bit better than the Vinyl Music On speakers. The competing models don’t feel as solidly built, however. But that is the reason for the lighter weight and smaller size. There is always a trade-off.
If you want a player to keep in your home and you are considering this one because of the low price, don’t. There are far better options.
If you can afford to pay a bit more, the Audio Technica AT-LP60 is a much higher quality unit for not much more money. If your budget is more limited, take a look at this one from Jopostar.
Vinyl Music On Vintage Briefcase Turntable Review: Conclusion And Rating
The Vinyl Music On Suitcase Record Player is one of the best suitcase type players, but not quite the best. If you love the design, go ahead and get it. Otherwise, we recommend one of the above-mentioned alternatives.
With this turntable, you get all the standard inputs and outputs and it plays all three speeds. It is slightly bulkier and heavier than similar models. Its biggest weakness are the built-in speakers and its biggest selling point the unique design.
Considering the low price, this is a great buy and it gets a good score just for that. But since there are competing models that sell for a similar price and are slightly better, the final Top Record Players rating is a bit lower at 4 out of 5.
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