Review of the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx: A Dependable Bluetooth Record Player

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 • Supporting Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth LE, and aptX Adaptive, the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx turntable provides high-fidelity wired and wireless vinyl experiences.

• The turntable has a straightforward, all-black design that complements a variety of interior styles.

• For the best sound quality, it's advised to pair the Hi-Res Onyx with a higher-end Bluetooth speaker, even though it comes with a built-in pre-amp and a convenient Bluetooth option for wireless streaming.

Turntables aren’t supposed to be known for their wireless connectivity, but more often than not, in 2023, the inclusion of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi isn’t a niche feature of a record player. Victrola already ventured into this space with its Sonos-compatible models, but now it has a more universal Bluetooth option with its Hi-Res Onyx.

High-Resolution Onyx Features & Design

The Hi-Res Onyx mimics the design of the Stream Onyx, which connects to Sonos speakers directly via Wi-Fi, whether this was always the plan or not. The Hi-Res version is almost identical to the low profile, all-black design, with the exception of having a button on the front rather than a twisting knob, making it nearly impossible to tell apart from casual observation.The Hi-Res Onyx turntable still has RCA connectors and comes with the cables in the box, despite Bluetooth being its most prominent feature. I'm all for less wires for most things, but it seems a bit silly to have a record player and vinyl records in one place but not have some speakers close by(That is merely a minor digression that has no bearing on this product.)Victrola offers "best-in-class" aptX support if you insist on using Bluetooth, which helps to justify wireless streaming due to the high transmission throughput provided, provided that your playback device also supports it. This implies that instead of using speakers, you could connect a set of headphones straight to the record player.

The Bluetooth turntable's audio

I used a variety of connections to link the Hi-Res Onyx to speakers, including the widely used Edifier R1280DB bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth and RCA ports.However, I used the Marshall Stanmore III to listen wirelessly through this turntable for the first time. I must admit that listening to Georgia's "Euphoric" album brought back memories of how ostentatious that speaker can sound. The music was crystal clear and boomed over the Bluetooth connection. I even forgot sometimes that the music I was listening to was coming from a turntable while I was working on other things.Then, if I could not tell the audio was coming from plastic grooves, I began to wonder if I really needed to be listening on a vinyl record. Though not entirely, the album's unabashedly electronic music may have contributed to that small crisis.I wirelessly listened to at least a dozen records, and the digital passageway had some analog presence. One song that stood out for being able to maintain some of its vinyl characteristics was "Coming Home" by Leon Bridges.

Although I personally preferred connecting the Hi-Res Onyx via cables, those who preferred Bluetooth connectivity had no trouble using it. It is inappropriate to pass judgment on how individuals use turntables. Play your music however you please, but if you're thinking about this turntable, which has been as low as $299.99, a better Bluetooth speaker is definitely advised.Although there isn't an automated arm return, I liked that the record stopped automatically when it was finished. I was able to go back to the room and switch sides because of it. The pre-marked lines made it simple to attach the counterweight. A straightforward knob that changed the speed from 33 to 45 RPM felt sturdy to turn.The dust cover was the worst feature of the Victoria Hi-Res Onyx. I was intrigued by the design when I first saw it, which was also used with the Stream Onyx, but after some time, I'm definitely not a fan. Though I much prefer more conventional dust covers that cover the entire turntable, it doesn't make the product any less worthwhile to purchase.

Establishing Bluetooth Connections

It's important to note that it was much simpler than I had anticipated to connect Bluetooth speakers. After setting the speaker into Bluetooth connection mode and pressing the front button to make it blink blue, the two devices would automatically link.

 They remained paired and functioned right away when I turned them both on again.There were no audio delays, signal interferences, or connection drops that I noticed. Overall, the ease of use of the wireless technology impressed me.

Elevated Onyx versus Elevated Carbon

Thankfully, Victrola unveiled the Onyx and Carbon Hi-Res models simultaneously. Its independent release of its Sonos-compatible Stream models may have influenced some consumers' purchasing choices.This time, prospective customers have the option to compare the options right away. Tonearm and cartridge are the two main distinctions, costing $200, between the two turntable options I deliberately opted to test the less costly Hi-Res Onyx model in order to hear the quality that the more affordable model had to offer. I found the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge to have a pleasing sound. The Ortofon 2M Red one is priced and positioned as the premium option, but I'm not able to comment on it. Any amount of investigation will reveal that there are supporters and detractors for every cartridge. Therefore, I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect.Compared to the all-black Onyx model, the Hi-Res Carbon is meant to look more expensive because of its silver metal front plate. Victrola also markets the carbon-fiber tonearm, which bears the same name, as "vibration dampening." When looking through Victrola turntables, depending on my mood, I might be tempted to spend a lot of money the Carbon model due to its tonearm's reduced weight. Most of the time, I would probably stick with the Onyx model and save the money.

Is the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx Turntable a Good Buy?

I think the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx turntable is a good entry-level option, priced at $300. While it boasts many contemporary features, such as Bluetooth and auto-stop, it also does the essentials well and sounds excellent when connected to speakers. It's much more difficult to sell at its full $400 retail price than entry-level models from other manufacturers like Pro-Ject or Audio Technica. It's a choice that can develop as a person learns more about vinyl records. Although the Hi-Res Onyx shouldn't be used as a turntable for life, there's no reason it can't make listening sessions much easier.